Schools for X Ray Techs Garden City NY 11530 Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select an Xray Technician School near Garden City New York

Garden City NY x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Garden City NY so you can train to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you tackle picking the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you assess each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools 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 considered, there are other important qualifications also. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the degrees and training options that are available.

Radiology Tech Occupation Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical fundamental job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Garden City NY hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may utilize include:

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

Radiographers must care for their equipment and also routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Garden City NY health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Garden City NY The basic prerequisite for attending a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to consider is that Garden City NY radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in New York or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be practicing you might need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several approve other options for testing as well. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Garden City NY employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Garden City 11530 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a large amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is usually carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Garden City NY residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online style of education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just be sure that the online school you enroll in 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 option for you.

Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

Once you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of searching for and assessing Garden City NY x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be critical. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Garden City NY employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the New York radiology tech schools you are interested in have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Garden City NY medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Garden City NY healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Garden City NY residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Garden City NY colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer program you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Garden City NY, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What made you choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Technician College near Garden City NY

Selecting the right x-ray tech degree program is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the right education and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Garden City NY.

Some Background on Garden City New York

Garden City, New York

Garden City is an incorporated village in Nassau County, New York, United States, in the town of Hempstead. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is on Long Island, to the east of New York City, 18.5 miles (29.8 km) from midtown Manhattan. The village is located mostly in the Town of Hempstead with a small portion in the Town of North Hempstead.[2]

As of the 2010 census, Garden City's population was 22,371.[3]

The Garden City name is applied to several other unincorporated, nearby jurisdictions, as well. In the region, hamlets such as Garden City South, Garden City Park, and East Garden City are located next to the incorporated village of Garden City, but are not themselves part of it. Roosevelt Field, the shopping center and raceway built on the former airfield from which Charles Lindbergh took off on his landmark 1927 transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis, is located in East Garden City. Adelphi University's main campus is in Garden City.

In 1869, the Irish-born millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart bought a portion of the lightly populated Hempstead Plains. In a letter, Stewart described his intentions for Garden City:

Parenthetically, the name "Garden City" pre-dates that of the garden city movement, which was established some years later near the end of the nineteenth century.[5] The central attraction of the new community was the Garden City Hotel, designed by the acclaimed firm of McKim, Mead & White. Although the original structure, as well as that which replaced it at the end of the 19th century, were torn down years ago after a fire, a rebuilt hotel still stands on the original grounds, as do many nearby Victorian homes. Access to Garden City was provided by the Central Railroad of Long Island, another Stewart project which he undertook at the same time. The railroad's Hempstead Branch opened in 1873.