Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Palo Alto CA 94301 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find an Xray Tech Degree Program near Palo Alto California

Palo Alto CA x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Palo Alto CA in order to train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you set about selecting the ideal college and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of potential students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications as well. For instance, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and training options that are available.

Radiology Technician Work Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the same fundamental job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Palo Alto CA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may 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 plus routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Palo Alto CA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Palo Alto CA The basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that Palo Alto CA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification mandates in California or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many accept other alternatives for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. However, many Palo Alto CA employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Palo Alto 94301 As a part 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 schools. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually carried out in area 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 Palo Alto CA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are generally more affordable than conventional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just confirm that the online program you choose 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 right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiographer Colleges

When you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating Palo Alto CA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools 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 schools you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of xray tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Palo Alto CA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the California xray tech schools you are interested in have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific means to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Palo Alto CA health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the radiographer schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Palo Alto CA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Palo Alto CA home. Individuals who have chosen 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 school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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 Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Palo Alto CA colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Palo Alto CA, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option 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 due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Radiology Technician College near Palo Alto CA

Selecting the ideal x-ray tech college is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray 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 productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are assessing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiographer in Palo Alto CA.

Some Background on Palo Alto California

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 tree in Spanish; the city is named after a coastal redwood tree called El Palo Alto.

Palo Alto was established by Leland Stanford Sr. when he founded Stanford University, following the death of his son, Leland Stanford Jr. The city includes portions of Stanford University and 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.[7] Palo Alto has also served as an incubator and as headquarters to several other prominent high-technology companies such as Apple,[8]Google,[9]Facebook, Logitech,[10]Intuit, Pinterest, and PayPal.

Palo Alto 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[11][12] and its residents are among the highest educated in the country.[13]

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Ohlone lived on the San Francisco peninsula; in particular, the Puichon Ohlone lived in the Palo Alto area. The area of modern Palo Alto was first recorded by the 1769 party of Gaspar de Portolà, a 63-man, 200-horse expedition from San Diego to Monterey. The group overshot Monterey in the fog and when they reached modern-day Pacifica, ascended Sweeney Ridge and saw the San Francisco Bay. Portolà descended from Sweeney Ridge southeast down San Andreas Creek to Laguna Creek (now Crystal Springs Reservoirs) and the Filoli estate, and thence to the San Francisquito Creek watershed, ultimately camping from November 6–11, 1769 by a tall redwood later to be known as El Palo Alto. Thinking the bay was too wide to cross, the group retraced their journey to Monterey, and never became aware of the Golden Gate entrance to the Bay.[14][citation needed]