Schools with Radiologic Technologist Programs Pleasanton CA 94566 Archives

How to Select a Radiologic Tech Degree Program near Pleasanton California

Pleasanton CA x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Pleasanton CA in order to become a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you tackle choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. A number of potential students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into consideration, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For example, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training options that are available.

Radiology Technician Work Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Pleasanton CA hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might utilize include:

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

Radiographers must maintain their equipment plus frequently evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Pleasanton CA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Pleasanton CA The primary prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Pleasanton CA radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which many colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in California or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several approve other alternatives for testing also. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Pleasanton CA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could improve 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 comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Pleasanton 94566 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Pleasanton CA residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online style of education is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less expensive than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just make sure that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiographer Colleges

When you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of searching for and assessing Pleasanton CA x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you consider when evaluating colleges? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship 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 need to ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Pleasanton CA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the California radiology tech schools you are assessing have relationships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Pleasanton CA medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Pleasanton CA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Pleasanton CA home. 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 local internships will be of concern. One thing 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 generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to 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 class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Pleasanton CA schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer college you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Pleasanton CA, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should ready some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best X-Ray Tech Program near Pleasanton CA

Selecting the ideal radiology tech degree program is a crucial first step toward initiating a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the majority of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you opt for an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each program so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the proper education and your dedication to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Pleasanton CA.

Some Background on Pleasanton California

Pleasanton, California

Pleasanton is a city in Alameda County, California, incorporated in 1894. It is a suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area located about 25 miles (40 km) east of Oakland, and 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Livermore. The population was 70,285 at the 2010 census. In 2005 and 2007, Pleasanton was ranked the wealthiest middle-sized city in the United States by the Census Bureau.[9][10] Pleasanton is home to the headquarters of Workday, Ellie Mae, Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Blackhawk Network Holdings, and Veeva Systems. Other major employers include Kaiser Permanente, Safeway, Oracle, Nordstrom and Macy's.[11] Although Oakland is the Alameda County seat, a few county offices and a courthouse are located in Pleasanton. The Alameda County Fairgrounds are located in Pleasanton, where the county fair is held during the last week of June and the first week of July. Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is located on the west side of town.

Pleasanton was ranked number 4 in USA Today's list of "America's 50 best cities to live in" in 2014,[12] number 63 in Money's list of "The Best Places to Live" in 2010,[13] and was named one of "Americans' Top Hometown Spots" in the United States in 2009 by Forbes.[14] Pleasanton was named the third wealthiest city in terms of earnings in the United States by NerdWallet in 2013.[15]

Before the establishment of Pleasanton in the 1850s, an earlier settlement in the location was called Alisal. It was located on the lands of the Rancho Santa Rita[16] near the site of an Indian ranchera, around the Francisco Solano Alviso Adobe, called El Alisal (The Sycamores),[17] one of the earliest houses built in the valley in 1844. It is still standing and serves as the centerpiece of the Alviso Adobe Community Park. Alisal, nicknamed "The Most Desperate Town in the West", was one of the settlements located along La Vereda del Monte that was a haunt and refuge of bandits and desperados in the era following the beginning of the California Gold Rush. Main Street shootouts were not uncommon.[citation needed] Banditos such as Claudio Feliz and Joaquin Murrieta would ambush prospectors on their way back from the gold rush fields and then seek refuge in Alisal. In the 1860s Procopio, Narciso Bojorques and others took refuge there.[citation needed]

Pleasanton is located on the lands of the Rancho Valle de San José and Rancho Santa Rita Mexican land grants. Its name came from John W. Kottinger, an Alameda County justice of the peace, who named it after his friend, Union army cavalry Major General Alfred Pleasonton. A typographical error by a U.S. Postal Service employee apparently led to the current spelling.[18]

In 1917, Pleasanton became the backdrop for the film Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, starring Mary Pickford.[19] The town was once home to Phoebe Apperson Hearst, who lived in a 50-room mansion on a 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) estate, now the site of Castlewood Country Club.[20]