Tag Archives: How to Become an X Ray Technician Playa Del Rey CA 90293

Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Playa Del Rey CA 90293

How to Choose an X-Ray Tech School near Playa Del Rey California

Playa Del Rey CA x-ray tech internship programCongrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Playa Del Rey CA in order to learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And because the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost should be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications also. For instance, you should find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Job Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in Playa Del Rey CA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with include:

  • Traditional and specialized X-Rays
  • Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Sonography or ultrasound
  • Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must take care of their equipment and regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also required to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Playa Del Rey CA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Playa Del Rey CAThe primary prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Playa Del Rey CA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in California or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several approve additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, numerous Playa Del Rey CA employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Playa Del Rey 90293As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is usually performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Playa Del Rey CA home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of education is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less costly than traditional options. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just make sure that the online college you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

When you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and assessing Playa Del Rey CA x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material factor as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous review of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Playa Del Rey CA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the California radiology technician schools you are assessing have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Playa Del Rey CA healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the radiographer programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Playa Del Rey CA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Playa Del Rey CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Playa Del Rey CA schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer  college you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Playa Del Rey CA, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal X-Ray Tech Program near Playa Del Rey CA

Selecting the ideal x-ray tech college is a crucial first step toward launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the working day and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As has been discussed in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are assessing prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Playa Del Rey CA.

Some Background on Playa Del Rey California

Playa del Rey, Los Angeles

Playa del Rey (Spanish for "Beach of the King" or "King's beach") is a beachside community in the Westside of the city of Los Angeles, California. It has a ZIP code of 90293 and area codes of 310 and 424. As of 2014, the Playa del Rey (zip 90293) population was 12,129 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 14.61 percent.[1]

Playa del Rey is a coastal neighborhood and a district of City of Los Angeles. The rolling hills are the result of ancient, wind-blown, compacted sand dunes which rise up to 125 feet (38 m) above sea level, originally called and often referred to as The Del Rey Hills or "The Bluffs". These dunes run parallel to the coastline, from Playa del Rey, all the way south to Palos Verdes.

The community is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Marina del Rey and Ballona Creek [2] to the north, Ballona Wetlands and Playa Vista to the northeast, Westchester to the east, Los Angeles International Airport and El Segundo to the south.

In his 1963 novel "Inside Daisy Clover," which is set in the 1950s, Gavin Lambert's titular character writes, "The only way I can describe Playa del Rey is that it's a lot of people sitting it out in a cockeyed dump between two other cockeyed dumps called Hermosa Beach and Venice. The beach has oil derricks on it, and there's a huge sewage-disposal plant within sniffing distance." Later, her sister tells her that "even the wrong end of Santa Monica is better than Playa del Rey, which has no right end."

The northern part was originally wetlands, but the natural flooding was halted by the concrete channel which contains Ballona Creek.

 

More Cities of Interest in California

  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Wasco CA 93280
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Van Nuys CA 91388
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Santa Monica CA 90401
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Fremont CA 94536
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Watsonville CA 95076
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Idyllwild CA 92549
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Corona CA 91718
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Taft CA 93268
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Thousand Oaks CA 91358
  • Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Miramonte CA 93641
  •  

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 41

    Mink Radiologic Imaging
    52 Reviews
    Phone:
    13160 Mindanao Way, Ste 175, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
    UCLA Health Radiology Manhattan Beach
    27 Reviews
    Phone:
    2200 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
    Western Imaging
    40 Reviews
    Phone:
    4640 Admiralty Way, Ste 102, Marina del Ray, CA 90292
    Inglewood Imaging Center
    20 Reviews
    Phone:
    211 N Prairie Ave, Ste E, Inglewood, CA 90301
    UCLA Health Radiology
    7 Reviews
    Phone:
    1245 16th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404
    UCLA Radiology
    8 Reviews
    Phone:
    1919 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
    Venice Culver Marina Medical Group - Urgent Point
    27 Reviews
    Phone:
    12212 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90189
    Silicon Beach Medical Center
    10 Reviews
    Phone:
    5450 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90094
    Torrance Memorial Breast Diagnostic Center
    2 Reviews
    Phone:
    855 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
    Beach Cities Vein & Laser Center
    41 Reviews
    Phone:
    390 N Sepulveda Blvd, Ste 1030, El Segundo, CA 90245