Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near South Houston TX 77587

How to Find a Radiology Technician College near South Houston Texas

South Houston TX x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near South Houston TX so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you tackle selecting the ideal school and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of prospective students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Job Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical fundamental job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in South Houston TX hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might utilize include:

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

Radiographers must care for their equipment and frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As South Houston TX health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in South Houston TX The basic requirement for attending an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more comprehensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that South Houston TX radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Texas or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many accept additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous South Houston TX employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in South Houston 77587 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is typically provided in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your South Houston TX residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are often less costly than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just confirm that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

After you have selected the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of finding and assessing South Houston TX x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed review of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of South Houston TX employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the Texas xray tech schools you are interested in have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional connections in the South Houston TX medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with South Houston TX healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their South Houston TX residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the South Houston TX colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in South Houston TX, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Radiology Technician School near South Houston TX

Selecting the right x-ray technician college is an important first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the majority of the workday and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are looking at prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your commitment to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiographer in South Houston TX.

Some Background on South Houston Texas

Houston

Houston (/ˈhjuːstən/ ( listen) HYOO-stən) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and the fourth-most populous city in the United States, with a census-estimated 2016 population of 2.303 million[2] within a land area of 599.59 square miles (1,552.9 km2).[7] It is the largest city in the Southern United States,[8] and the seat of Harris County. Located in Southeast Texas near the Gulf of Mexico, it is the principal city of the Greater Houston metro area, which is the fifth-most populated MSA in the United States.

Houston was founded on August 30, 1836, near the banks of Buffalo Bayou (now known as Allen's Landing)[9][10] and incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837. The city was named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas and had commanded and won at the Battle of San Jacinto 25 miles (40 km) east of where the city was established.[10] The burgeoning port and railroad industry, combined with oil discovery in 1901 and Houston's replacement of Galveston as Texas's primary port following a devastating hurricane, has induced continual surges in the city's population. In the mid-20th century, Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and NASA's Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located.

Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. Leading in health care sectors and building oilfield equipment, Houston has the second most Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality within its city limits (after New York City).[11][12] The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled.[13] Nicknamed the "Space City", Houston is a global city, with strengths in business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, education, medicine, and research. The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. Houston is the most diverse city in Texas and has been described as the most racially and ethnically diverse major metropolis in the U.S.[14] It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits, which attract more than 7 million visitors a year to the Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.[15]

On August 26, 1836, two real estate entrepreneurs from New York, Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen, purchased 6,642 acres (26.88 km2) of land along Buffalo Bayou with the intent of founding a city.[16][17] According to historian, David McComb, "[T]he brothers, on August 26, 1836, bought from Elizabeth E. Parrott, wife of T.F.L. Parrott and widow of John Austin, the south half of the lower league [2,214 acres of land] granted to her by her late husband. They paid $5,000 total, but only $1,000 of this in cash; notes made up the remainder."[18] The Allen brothers decided to name the city after Sam Houston, the popular general at the Battle of San Jacinto,[17] who was elected President of Texas in September 1836. The great majority of slaves in Texas came with their owners from the older slave states. Sizable numbers, however, came through the domestic slave trade. New Orleans was the center of this trade in the Deep South, but slave dealers were in Houston. Thousands of enslaved blacks lived near the city before the Civil War. Many of them near the city worked on sugar and cotton plantations, while most of those in the city limits had domestic and artisan jobs. Houston was granted incorporation on June 5, 1837, with James S. Holman becoming its first mayor.[10] In the same year, Houston became the county seat of Harrisburg County (now Harris County) and the temporary capital of the Republic of Texas.[19] In 1840, the community established a chamber of commerce in part to promote shipping and waterborne business at the newly created port on Buffalo Bayou.[20]

By 1860, Houston had emerged as a commercial and railroad hub for the export of cotton.[19] Railroad spurs from the Texas inland converged in Houston, where they met rail lines to the ports of Galveston and Beaumont. During the American Civil War, Houston served as a headquarters for General John Bankhead Magruder, who used the city as an organization point for the Battle of Galveston.[21] After the Civil War, Houston businessmen initiated efforts to widen the city's extensive system of bayous so the city could accept more commerce between downtown and the nearby port of Galveston. By 1890, Houston was the railroad center of Texas.