Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Rice TX 75155 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick a Radiologic Technician School near Rice Texas

Rice TX x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Rice TX so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about picking the right college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And because most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at 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 check tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are other significant qualifiers as well. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training choices that are available.

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X-Ray Technician Work Description

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can practice in Rice TX clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might work with include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers have to maintain their equipment and also routinely assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Rice TX health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Rice TX The basic prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Rice TX radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Texas or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be employed you may have to be licensed. The majority of 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 licensing application, but a number offer other alternatives for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Rice TX employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it could increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Rice 75155 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical 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 significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually provided in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Rice TX home. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually find that the online style of education is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are generally less costly than traditional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just make sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

Once you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of finding and evaluating Rice TX x-ray technician schools. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a material variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program 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 undergone an extensive examination of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Rice TX health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Texas xray technician schools you are assessing have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Rice TX health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first 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 sizable networks and great relationships with Rice TX healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Rice TX home. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Rice TX colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Rice TX, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

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

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Tech Program near Rice TX

Selecting the right radiology technician college is a crucial first step toward starting a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements developed 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 interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As we have discussed in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each college so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the right education and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiographer in Rice TX.

Some Background on Rice Texas

RiceTec

RiceTec Inc. is a private company based in Alvin, TX, and headquartered in Houston, TX, that develops and produces hybrid rice seed for the American and various international markets. RiceTec also owns the consumer brand name RiceSelect which markets Texmati brand rice in grocery stores throughout North America.[1] The company was founded in 1990 as a foreign for profit corporation and is owned by the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation.[2][3] RiceTec was the first and is currently the only company to commercialize hybrid rice in the Americas.[citation needed]

Development of hybrid rice began in the United States in 1980, as a partnership between the China National Seed Corporation and Ring Around Seed Corporation. These early attempts at growing hybrid rice were met with limited success due to problems in production and grain characteristics. In 1986 Farms of Texas Co. (at the time a large corporate farm) became part of the partnership to help develop better production practices and further research.[4] Farms of Texas Co. was re-formed as RiceTec Inc. in 1990 and formed a partnership with the Chinese National Hybrid Rice Research Center in 1993 to provide RiceTec with exclusive access to Chinese germplasm.[5] RiceTec marketed its first commercial hybrid rice line in 2000, with the introduction of the Hybrid XL6, followed shortly by XL7 and XL8 in 2002.[5] RiceTec introduced its first Newpath Herbicide resistant rice (in a partnership with BASF) known as Clearfield XL8 in 2003.[6]

RiceTec became widely known in the late 1990s due to an attempt by the company to patent Basmati rice.[7] Basmati rice had historically been grown in India and Pakistan for many centuries, however neither country had ever patented the particular variety of rice. The claiming of the patent by RiceTec angered many farmers, officials, and NGOs in the region who perceived the act as theft of intellectual property and vowed to fight the patent.[8][9] The patent was originally accepted by the US Patent Office in 1997, but was officially challenged by the Indian government in 2000 and most patent claims were overturned in the US in 2002.[8][10][11] Despite this, RiceTec continues to market their "Texmati" brand of rice as "long grain American Basmati", although no patents or trademarks on the title "Basmati" are currently held by the company (a current trademark is however held for "Texmati".)[12]

A countersuit (in response to a suit filed by RiceTec for non-payment) was filed against RiceTec on July 6, 2012, in Green County Arkansas, by Scott Meredith, a rice farmer from Green County. The suit alleged that Mr. Meredith had been sold both impure and defective seed by RiceTec, and also accused RiceTec of negligence, breach of contract, breach of warranty, and violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act for misrepresenting and mislabeling its seed.[13] According to the lead attorney for the plaintiff, the hybrid seed rice he (Scott Meredith) purchased had inferior milling characteristics that hurt marketability and did not yield as was promised by the company.[14] The case received widespread attention in the rice producing areas of the United States and prompted RicTec CEO John Nelsen to issue a statement rebuffing all allegations and promising to fight the lawsuit.[15] In November 2012, a judge dismissed the claim against RiceTec.[16]