How to Pick an Xray Tech College in New York
Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school in New York so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you undertake picking the ideal 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 technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you might require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology tech does and the degrees and training options that are offered.
X-Ray Tech Career Description
There are a number of professional titles 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, they all have the identical fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in New York hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 maintain their equipment and regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As New York medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
Radiology Tech Degrees Offered
The basic prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. 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 select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. Something to consider is that New York radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor 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 licensing or certification mandates in New York or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing
After you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be working you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number accept additional options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many New York employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Tech Classes
As a part of any degree program, New York x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually carried out in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be attended in the comfort of your New York residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are frequently more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just make certain that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.
Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges
Once you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating New York x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a material variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor 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 need to ask the schools you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have received 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 regarded 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 assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous New York health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the New York radiology tech programs you are reviewing have relationships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the New York health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with New York healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their New York residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the New York colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in New York, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Select the Ideal X-Ray Technician School in New York
Choosing the best radiology technician school is a crucial first step toward initiating a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs 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 productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the right education and your dedication to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in New York.