How to Select the Best Xray Technician Degree Program near Palo Alto California
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Palo Alto CA so you can train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you research each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at in order to compare each program. Many students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost should be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifiers as well. For instance, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the X-ray Tech schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the degrees and training options that are offered.
X-Ray Tech Occupation Summary in Palo Alto CA
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the same major job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may work in Palo Alto CA hospitals, clinics, family 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 take care of their equipment and also frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
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Radiology Tech Degree Options near Palo Alto CA
The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to consider is that radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in Palo Alto CA or their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in California or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. Presently, 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 additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Palo Alto area employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options in and around Palo Alto CA to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Tech Degrees
As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So even though 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. Clinical training is typically carried out in Palo Alto CA family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Palo Alto home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less costly than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Radiology Tech Programs
Once you have chosen the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating x-ray tech colleges near Palo Alto CA. You will also have 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 college will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a material variable as well. But along with cost and location, what more should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are reviewing.
Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology tech schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Palo Alto CA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the xray technician colleges you are interested in have partnerships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Palo Alto CA health care community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in Palo Alto CA in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with California healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Palo Alto CA home. Those who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Palo Alto CA schools you are looking at what the average 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 some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the xray tech program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the xray tech college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Palo Alto CA area, make sure that they are available. 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 enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Where to Find Accredited X Ray Tech Schools Palo Alto CA
Selecting the best radiology tech degree program is a critical first step toward starting a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and position 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 comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Where to Find Accredited X Ray Tech Schools and wanting more information on the topic Free Info on Online X Ray Technician Schools. However, as has been discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the proper training and your commitment to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to work as a X-ray tech in Palo Alto CA.
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Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto (/ˌpæloʊ ˈæltoʊ/) is a charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Palo Alto means tall stick in Spanish; the city is named after a coastal redwood tree called El Palo Alto.
The city was established by Leland Stanford Sr. when he founded Stanford University, following the death of his son, Leland Stanford Jr. Palo Alto includes portions of Stanford University and shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. As of the 2010 census, the city's total resident population is 64,403.[5] Palo Alto is one of the five most expensive cities in the United States to live in[7][8] and its residents are among the highest educated in the country.[9]
As one of the principal cities of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is headquarters to a number of high-technology companies, including Hewlett-Packard (HP), Space Systems/Loral, VMware, Tesla, Ford Research and Innovation Center, PARC, IDEO, Skype, Palantir Technologies, Houzz, and Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center.[10] Palo Alto has also served as an incubator and as headquarters to several other prominent high-technology companies such as Apple,[11]Google,[12]Facebook, Logitech,[13]Intuit, Pinterest, and PayPal.
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