Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Ridgewood NY 11385 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiologic Technician School near Ridgewood New York

Ridgewood NY x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Ridgewood NY in order to train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you tackle picking the ideal school and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Many prospective students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

Radiology Technician Job Description

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same 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 provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Ridgewood NY clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might 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 plus routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Ridgewood NY health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Ridgewood NY The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option 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 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate as well. Something to bear in mind is that Ridgewood NY radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. 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.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several offer other alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Ridgewood NY employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it might 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 comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Ridgewood 11385 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still earn your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically conducted in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Ridgewood NY residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just be sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools

When you have selected the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Ridgewood NY x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining factor as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you look at when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 undergone an extensive evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Ridgewood NY employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the New York xray tech programs you are evaluating have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Ridgewood NY health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Ridgewood NY healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Ridgewood NY home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually 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 get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Ridgewood NY schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Ridgewood NY, verify that they are offered. 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, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Pick the Right Radiology Tech Program near Ridgewood NY

Enrolling in the right x-ray technician college is a critical first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the majority of the day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As we have covered in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at before making your final decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the proper education and your dedication to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Ridgewood NY.