Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Bay Shore NY 11706 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Bay Shore New York

Bay Shore NY x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Bay Shore NY so you can become a radiology technologist. But now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake picking the ideal college and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled professional? And because the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into account, there are other critical qualifiers as well. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology tech does and the degrees and education choices that are available.

Radiology Technician Career Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the same fundamental job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may practice in Bay Shore NY hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 care for their equipment and routinely assess its performance and safety. They are also required to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Bay Shore NY medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Bay Shore NY The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Bay Shore NY radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may typically be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in New York or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be working you may need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary 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 many provide other options for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Bay Shore NY employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Bay Shore 11706 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is often performed in local 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 Bay Shore NY residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online approach to education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are frequently more affordable than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just make sure that the online school you choose 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 school may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Bay Shore NY x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide 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 secondary expenses will be a material variable as well. But along with cost and location, what more should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Bay Shore NY health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the New York xray tech programs you are assessing have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Bay Shore NY healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Bay Shore NY healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Bay Shore NY residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even 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 normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Bay Shore NY schools you are researching 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer college you ultimately select can provide 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 Bay Shore NY, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

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

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must ready some approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Radiology Tech College near Bay Shore NY

Picking the best x-ray tech college is an important first step toward initiating a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your commitment to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Bay Shore NY.

Some Background on Bay Shore New York

Bay Shore, New York

Bay Shore is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Islip, Suffolk County, New York, United States. It is situated on the South Shore of Long Island, adjoining the Great South Bay. In 2008, Bay Shore celebrated the 300th anniversary of the purchase of the land from the Secatogue Native Americans. The population of the CDP was 26,337 at the time of the 2010 census.[1]

Bay Shore is one of the older hamlets on Long Island. Sagtikos Manor, located in West Bay Shore, was built around 1697. It was used as a British armed forces headquarters, at the time of the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War. President Washington stayed at the manor during his tour of Long Island in 1790.

The land that would become Bay Shore proper was purchased from the Secatogue Native Americans in 1708 by local school teacher John Mowbray for "several eel spears".[2]

The hamlet's name has changed over time: Early European settlers referred to the area first as Penataquit and later as Awixa; both were names used by the Native American Secatogue tribe. For reasons never documented, the name was changed in the early 19th century to Sodom.[3] In 1842 there was a further name change to Mechanicsville, then a return in 1849 to Penataquit.[4] The name Penataquit proved unpopular because it was difficult to spell. The name of the hamlet and post office was changed to Bay Shore in 1868.[4][5]

Bay Shore became renowned in the late 19th century for its shopping district and resorts. The rural hamlet became popular with affluent New Yorkers looking to escape the city to white sand beaches of the Great South Bay and the fishing villages of Fire Island. It was a tourist spot on weekends and during the summer, in large part because the newly built Long Island Rail Road enabled easy access from New York City. During World War I it became the headquarters of the First Yale Unit, a United States Naval Air Reserve unit.[6]