Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Bethpage NY 11714 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an X-Ray Tech Program near Bethpage New York

Bethpage NY x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Bethpage NY in order to learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers also. For instance, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training choices that are available.

Radiology Tech Work Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They may work in Bethpage NY clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 also regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Bethpage NY health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Bethpage NY The basic prerequisite for attending a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Bethpage NY radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification 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 might need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many accept other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Bethpage NY employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Bethpage 11714 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is often provided in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Bethpage NY home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of learning is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently more affordable than traditional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just confirm that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

As soon as you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Bethpage NY x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Bethpage NY health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the New York xray tech colleges you are reviewing have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Bethpage NY medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Bethpage NY healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Bethpage NY home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally 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 back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Bethpage NY colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final 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 tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Bethpage NY, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal X-Ray Tech School near Bethpage NY

Picking the ideal x-ray technician degree program is a critical first step toward starting a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As has been covered in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the right education and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Bethpage NY.

Some Background on Bethpage New York

Bethpage, New York

Bethpage is a hamlet located on Long Island within the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, New York, United States, as well as a census-designated place (CDP) with borders slightly different from those of the hamlet. The CDP's population was 16,429 at the 2010 United States Census.[1]

The area is served by the Bethpage Post Office, ZIP code 11714, whose boundaries are slightly different from that of the CDP. The area is also served by Bethpage Union Free School District, Island Trees Union Free School District, Plainedge Union Free School District, and Hicksville Union Free School District, the boundaries of which include parts of some surrounding hamlets, including parts of Old Bethpage, Plainview, and Plainedge. The Town of Hempstead, on its website, includes a small part of Bethpage hamlet that is in the Levittown census-designated place.[2]

The name Bethpage comes from the Quaker Thomas Powell, who named the area after the Biblical town Bethphage, which was between Jericho and Jerusalem in the Holy Land. Present-day Bethpage was part of the 1695 Bethpage Purchase. An early name for the northern section of present-day Bethpage was Bedelltown,[3][4] a name that appeared on maps at least as late as 1906.[5]

On maps just before the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), the name Bethpage appears for a community now included in both the post office district and school district of the adjacent community of Farmingdale.[6] In 1841,[7] train service began to Farmingdale station, near a new settlement less than a mile eastward from what had previously appeared on maps as Bethpage. Schedules at that time do not mention Bethpage as a stop, but have a notation "late Bethpage".[8] On an 1855 map,[9] the location identified as Bethpage has shifted slightly westward to include a nearby area now called Plainedge.

Between 1851[10] and 1854,[11] the LIRR initiated a stop within present-day Bethpage at a station then called Jerusalem Station, and on January 29, 1857 a local post office opened, also named Jerusalem Station.[12][13] LIRR schedules listed the station also as simply Jerusalem.[14][15] Residents succeeded in changing the name of the post office to Central Park, effective March 1, 1867 (respelled as Centralpark from 1895 to 1899).[12][16] The Central Park Fire Company was organized in April 1910, and incorporated in May 1911. In May 1923 the Central Park Water District was created.