How to Select an Xray Technician Degree Program near Westmoreland New York
Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Westmoreland NY so you can become a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about choosing the right college and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Many prospective students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are additional important qualifiers also. For instance, you need to find out 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 presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology tech does and the credentials and education options that are offered.
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Radiology Tech Career Summary
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the same principal job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They may practice in Westmoreland NY hospitals, clinics, private 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 and regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Westmoreland NY medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered
The primary requirement for attending an x-ray tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. Something to bear in mind is that Westmoreland NY radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in New York or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many accept other options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, numerous Westmoreland NY employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Classes
As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is often conducted in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Westmoreland NY residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But just confirm that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.
Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Programs
When you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of locating and assessing Westmoreland NY x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a material variable also. But along with cost and location, what more should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program 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 detailed evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Westmoreland NY employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the New York xray technician schools you are assessing have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional connections in the Westmoreland NY healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Westmoreland NY healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Westmoreland NY residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally 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 keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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 kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Westmoreland NY colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Westmoreland NY, check 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 have to carry. Also, find out 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 getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.Enroll in the Best Radiology Technician College near Westmoreland NY
Choosing the right x-ray technician degree program is a crucial first step toward beginning a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Westmoreland NY.
Some Background on Westmoreland New York
William Westmoreland
William Childs Westmoreland (March 26, 1914 – July 18, 2005) was a United States Army general, who most notably commanded U.S. forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1968 to 1972.
Westmoreland adopted a strategy of attrition against the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army, attempting to drain them of manpower and supplies. He also made use of the United States' edge in artillery and air power, both in tactical confrontations and in relentless strategic bombing of North Vietnam. Many of the battles in Vietnam were technically U.S. victories, with the U.S. Army in control of the field afterward; holding territory gained this way proved difficult, however. Public support for the war eventually diminished, especially after the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Tet Offensive in 1968. By the time he was re-assigned as Army Chief of Staff, U.S. military forces in Vietnam had reached a peak of 535,000. Westmoreland's strategy was ultimately politically unsuccessful. Growing U.S. casualties and the draft undermined U.S. support for the war while large-scale casualties among non-combatants weakened South Vietnamese support. This, however, failed to weaken North Vietnam's will to fight, and the Government of South Vietnam - a factor largely out of Westmoreland's control - never succeeded in establishing enough legitimacy to quell defections to the Viet Cong.
William Westmoreland was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, to Eugenia Talley Childs and James Ripley Westmoreland. His upper middle class family was involved in the local banking and textile industries. At the age of 15, William became an Eagle Scout at Troop 1 Boy Scouts, and was recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and Silver Buffalo from the Boy Scouts of America as a young adult. After spending a year at The Citadel in 1932,[1] he was appointed to attend the United States Military Academy on the nomination of Senator James F. Byrnes, a family friend.[2] His motive for entering West Point was "to see the world". He was a member of a distinguished West Point class that also included Creighton Abrams and Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Westmoreland graduated as first captain—the highest cadet rank—and received the Pershing Sword, which is "presented to cadet with highest level of military proficiency".[3][4][5] Westmoreland also served as the superintendent of the Protestant Sunday School Teachers.[6]
Following graduation in 1936, Westmoreland became an artillery officer and served in several assignments with the 18th Field Artillery at Fort Sill. In 1939, he was promoted to first lieutenant, after which he was a battery commander and battalion staff officer with the 8th Field Artillery at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
In World War II, Westmoreland saw combat with the 34th Field Artillery Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, in Tunisia, Sicily, France and Germany; he commanded the 34th FAB in Tunisia and Sicily.[7] He reached the temporary wartime rank of colonel, and on October 13, 1944, was appointed the chief of staff of the 9th Infantry Division.[8]
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