Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Harrison NY 10528 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select an Xray Tech Degree Program near Harrison New York

Harrison NY x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Harrison NY in order to become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle picking the right college and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And since the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Most prospective students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

Radiology Technician Work Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the same principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Harrison 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 have to take care of their equipment and also regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Harrison NY health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Harrison NY The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, generally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to consider is that Harrison NY radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in New York or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be working you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number offer other options for testing also. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Harrison NY employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Tech Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Harrison 10528 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, 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 family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Harrison NY home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online style of education is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are generally more affordable than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just make certain that the online school you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

Once you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and evaluating Harrison NY x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be an important factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations 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 examination of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Harrison NY health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the New York xray tech schools you are assessing have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Harrison NY healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Harrison NY healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Harrison NY residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Harrison NY schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Harrison NY, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Technician College near Harrison NY

Choosing the right radiology tech degree program is a crucial first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are considering prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the right training and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Harrison NY.

Some Background on Harrison New York

Harrison, New York

Harrison is a coterminous town-village located in Westchester County, New York, approximately 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Manhattan. The population was 27,472 at the 2010 census.[4] Harrison was ranked sixth in the list of the top 10 places to live in New York State for 2014 according to the national online real estate brokerage Movoto.[5]

According to Forbes, Harrison is the 326th wealthiest place in the United States with a median sale price of $1,230,625, slightly below that of Chappaqua.[6]Fundera ranked Harrison the best place in New York for small business.[7]

Harrison was established in 1696 by a patent granted by the British government to John Harrison and three others, who had a year earlier bargained with local Native Americans to purchase an area of land above Westchester Path (an old trail that led from Manhattan to Port Chester) and below Rye Lake.[8] Local custom holds that Harrison was given 24 hours to ride his horse around the area he could claim, and the horse couldn't swim or didn't want to get its feet wet, but this is folklore.[9] In fact, the land below Westchester Path and along Long Island Sound had already been purchased and partly developed by the settlers of Rye, NY.

The area that became Harrison had also been sold in 1661 or 1662, and again in 1666, to Peter Disbrow, John Budd, and other investors or early residents of Rye.[10] Disbrow and Budd evidently lost their paperwork and the land was ultimately granted to Harrison and his co-investors in 1696. So upset were the people or Rye that they seceded to the Colony of Connecticut until 1700, when the King of England ordered Rye to rejoin the Colony of New York.[11]

The first permanent residents of Harrison's Purchase, as it was called, arrived in about 1725, and many early settlers were Quakers, who set up a Friend's Meeting House at a settlement located in the part of Harrison now called Purchase.[9][12] Harrison's Purchase was administered jointly by the settlers of Rye until it was incorporated as a town on March 7, 1788, by an act of the New York State legislature.[13]