Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Katy TX 77449 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiologic Tech College near Katy Texas

Katy TX x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Katy TX in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about selecting the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled professional? And because the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifiers as well. For instance, you should find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the credentials and training choices that are available.

Radiology Tech Occupation Summary

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical principal job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They may practice in Katy TX hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 regularly analyze its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Katy TX medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Katy TX 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 or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. Something to consider is that Katy TX radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools 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 certification or licensing requirements in Texas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many provide other options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Katy TX employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Katy 77449 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a large portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often provided in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Katy TX home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online program you select 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 online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of looking for and evaluating Katy TX x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a determining variable also. But along with location and cost, what more should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Katy TX health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the Texas radiology technician programs you are evaluating have partnerships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Katy TX health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Katy TX healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Katy TX residence. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Katy TX schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Katy TX, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Radiology Technician School near Katy TX

Picking the appropriate x-ray technician school is a critical first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been covered in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are looking at prior to making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the right education and your motivation to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a radiographer in Katy TX.

Some Background on Katy Texas

Katy, Texas

Katy is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Houston–Katy-Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. The city is located in Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties. The population was 14,102 at the 2010 census,[1] up from 11,775 at the 2000 census. The population was estimated to be 16,158 in 2015.[5]

In the early 1800s Katy was known as "Cane Island", named for the creek that runs through the area, a branch of Buffalo Bayou. The creek was filled with tall cane, not native to the area. It was presumed to have been planted by either the Karankawa Indians or Spanish explorers to aid in fur trapping until the 1820s.

In 1845 James J. Crawford received a land grant that included this area. The hot summers, thick clay soil made it difficult to attract settlers to the area. Crawford, Peter Black, John Sills and the families of former slaves Thomas (Mary) Robinson and Milto McGinnis were the only recorded residents of Cane Island in 1875.

In 1895, James Oliver Thomas laid out a town, and in January 1896 the town of Katy was named through Thomas's post office application. The name "Katy" was derived from the MKT Railroad Company and was commonly referred to as "the K-T," which was also its stock exchange symbol. This common designation soon evolved into "the Katy."

The anticipations of prosperity would bring growth to the new town which was developed around the original train stop and railroad tracks. By the early 1900s many families had come by train and wagon to establish Katy. Cotton and peanuts and corn were the first successful crops, but rice soon became the primary commodity crop. Katy later became known for rice farming; the first concrete rice driers in the state of Texas were built here in 1944 and still stand as landmarks. The farming community well supported local businesses as several hotels, stores, livery stables and saloons were prospering.