Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Berkeley CA 94701 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find an X-Ray Technician College near Berkeley California

Berkeley CA x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Berkeley CA so you can train to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you go about choosing the ideal school and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And because the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Most students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be considered, there are other important qualifications as well. For example, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

Radiology Tech Occupation Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical principal job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Berkeley CA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might work with include:

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

Radiographers have to maintain their equipment plus routinely assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Berkeley CA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Berkeley CA The standard prerequisite for attending a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Berkeley CA radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing mandates in California or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several accept additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Berkeley CA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Berkeley 94701 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is typically carried out in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Berkeley CA home. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than traditional options. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just be sure that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and assessing Berkeley CA x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to confirm 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive review of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance 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 premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Berkeley CA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the California xray technician colleges you are interested in have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Berkeley CA health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Berkeley CA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Berkeley CA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally 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 program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes 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 Berkeley CA schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Berkeley CA, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being an Xray technician, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Technician College near Berkeley CA

Choosing the appropriate radiology tech college is an important first step toward beginning a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the working day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the right training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Berkeley CA.

Some Background on Berkeley California

Berkeley, California

Berkeley (/ˈbɜːrkliː/ BURK-lee) is a city on the east shore of San Francisco Bay in northern Alameda County, California. It is named after the 18th-century Anglo-Irish bishop and philosopher George Berkeley. It borders the cities of Oakland and Emeryville to the south and the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington to the north. Its eastern border with Contra Costa County generally follows the ridge of the Berkeley Hills. The 2010 census recorded a population of 112,580.

Berkeley is home to the oldest campus in the University of California system, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which is managed and operated by the University. It also has the Graduate Theological Union, one of the largest religious studies institutions in the world. Berkeley is one of the most socially liberal cities in the United States.

The site of today's City of Berkeley was the territory of the Chochenyo/Huchiun band of the Ohlone people when the first Europeans arrived.[12] Evidence of their existence in the area include pits in rock formations, which they used to grind acorns, and a shellmound, now mostly leveled and covered up, along the shoreline of San Francisco Bay at the mouth of Strawberry Creek. Other artifacts were discovered in the 1950s in the downtown area during remodeling of a commercial building, near the upper course of the creek.

The first people of European descent (most of whom were born in America) arrived with the De Anza Expedition in 1776.[13] Today, this is noted by signage on Interstate 80, which runs along the San Francisco Bay shoreline of Berkeley. The De Anza Expedition led to establishment of the Spanish Presidio of San Francisco at the entrance to San Francisco Bay (the Golden Gate), which is due west of Berkeley. Luis Peralta was among the soldiers at the Presidio. For his services to the King of Spain, he was granted a vast stretch of land on the east shore of San Francisco Bay (the contra costa, "opposite shore") for a ranch, including that portion that now comprises the City of Berkeley.

Luis Peralta named his holding "Rancho San Antonio". The primary activity of the ranch was raising cattle for meat and hides, but hunting and farming were also pursued. Eventually, Peralta gave portions of the ranch to each of his four sons. What is now Berkeley lies mostly in the portion that went to Peralta's son Domingo, with a little in the portion that went to another son, Vicente. No artifact survives of the Domingo or Vicente ranches, but their names survive in Berkeley street names (Vicente, Domingo, and Peralta). However, legal title to all land in the City of Berkeley remains based on the original Peralta land grant.