Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Piermont NY 10968 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiologic Technician College near Piermont New York

Piermont NY x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Piermont NY so you can become a radiologic technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you go about picking the ideal college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

Radiology Technician Career Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may work in Piermont NY clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may utilize 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 analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Piermont NY medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Piermont NY The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Piermont NY radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After 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 Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be working you may need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve additional options for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, many Piermont NY employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase 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 rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Piermont 10968 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still earn your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically provided in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Piermont NY home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are often less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just be sure that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

When you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of looking for and evaluating Piermont NY x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important variable also. But along with cost and location, what more should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of radiology technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to confirm 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Piermont NY health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the New York radiology technician programs you are assessing have relationships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Piermont NY medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Piermont NY healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Piermont NY home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Piermont NY schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Piermont NY, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiology Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Technician School near Piermont NY

Choosing the appropriate x-ray technician college is a critical first step toward beginning a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the majority of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are assessing before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Piermont NY.

Some Background on Piermont New York

Piermont, New York

Piermont is a village incorporated in 1847 in Rockland County, New York, United States. Piermont is in the town of Orangetown, located north of the hamlet of Palisades, east of Sparkill, and south of Grand View-on-Hudson, on the west bank of the Hudson River. The population was 2,510 at the 2010 census.[3]Woody Allen set The Purple Rose of Cairo, a fictional film within The Purple Rose of Cairo (1984) in Piermont.

The village's name, in earlier years known as Tappan Landing, was given by Dr. Eleazar Lord, author, educator, deacon of the First Protestant Dutch Church and first president of the Erie Railroad. It was derived by combining a local natural feature – Tallman Mountain – and the most prominent man-made feature of the village – the long Erie Railroad pier.

Sparkill Creek cuts through the north end of the Hudson Palisades, providing easy access to the fertile valley of the unnavigable upper Hackensack River. "Tappan Landing," "Tappan Slote", or "Taulman Landing," as the little port on the Hudson River was called,[2] thus became the original port for southern Orange County. The valley in the Palisades created by the creek also provided a way for the Erie Railroad to easily reach the Hudson, and the railroad built a long pier in 1839 as its principal terminal. The pier and the nearby mountains suggested a new name for the community, which was incorporated as a village in 1850. During World War II the pier was the ferry terminal to which troops from Camp Shanks marched and were then transported to New York Port of Embarkation piers for transfer to overseas transports bound for the European Theater.[4] A memorial plaque notes that history at the pier.[4]

Late in the 20th century, Piermont became a modest tourist attraction for day-trippers from New York City, particularly those bicycling on Bike Route 9.

Piermont Railroad Station, located on Ash Street, is a Victorian Stick style structure built in 1873 which served as Piermont's stop for the former Erie Railroad line, which went from Nyack, New York, to Jersey City, New Jersey. The Erie Railroad line stopped running through Piermont in 1966. The rail branch was abandoned in the 1970s as a result of railroad consolidation.