Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near South San Francisco CA 94080

How to Find a Radiologic Technician Program near South San Francisco California

South San Francisco CA x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near South San Francisco CA so you can train to be a radiology technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you undertake picking the right school and program so that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And since most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are other significant qualifications also. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

X-Ray Tech Occupation Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They can work in South San Francisco CA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may utilize include:

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

Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and also routinely assess its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As South San Francisco CA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in South San Francisco CA The basic requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, generally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to consider is that South San Francisco CA radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in California or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several approve additional alternatives for testing also. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous South San Francisco CA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in South San Francisco 94080 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your online degree, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training can be attended in the privacy of your South San Francisco CA residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are generally more affordable than conventional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased also. But just confirm that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of locating and evaluating South San Francisco CA x-ray tech schools. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when evaluating 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 important details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous South San Francisco CA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the California radiology technician programs you are evaluating have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the South San Francisco CA medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with South San Francisco CA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their South San Francisco CA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the South San Francisco CA schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few 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 radiographer school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in South San Francisco CA, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What made you choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Right Radiology Tech College near South San Francisco CA

Selecting the ideal radiology technician college is a crucial first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the right education and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in South San Francisco CA.

Some Background on South San Francisco California

South San Francisco, California

South San Francisco is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, located on the San Francisco Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 63,632 at the 2010 census.[6]

Prior to European exploration, the northern San Francisco Penninsula was inhabited by the Ramaytush, a linguistic sub-group of the Ohlone people. Their village of Urebure on San Bruno Creek was visited by the Gaspar de Portolà expedition in 1769; remains of long-term (5,000+ years) inhabitancy and seasonal encampments have been examined at the Siplichiquin[8] and Buckeye[9] shell-mounds on San Bruno Mountain. Charcoal-sampling indicates these sites may have been actively occupied early in the Spanish colonial period (late 1700s). The delta of Colma Creek was formerly an important habitat for the waterfowl known to be hunted by the Ramaytush in historic times, and archaelogic sites have been recorded near the creek.[9] The City plan also recognizes the existing remains of a village (CA-SMA-299) along El Camino Real.[10]

The area which is now South San Francisco was originally part of Rancho Buri Buri, a large Mexican land grant to the Sanchez family dating to 1827. In 1853 Charles Lux and a business partner, Alfred Edmondson, purchased 1,700 acres (7 km2) of Rancho Buri Buri. Lux bought out Edmonson’s interest in 1856 and founded the town of Baden, now a neighborhood of South San Francisco. In 1855 Lux bought another 1,464 acres (6 km2) of Rancho Buri Buri land and became a partner of fellow San Francisco butcher and entrepreneur Henry Miller, forming the firm of Miller & Lux.[11]

The city of South San Francisco was originally conceived as an industrial suburb and was promoted by representatives of the Beef Trust, a group including some of the country's largest meat packing firms. A city plan was put forward in 1888 by Gustavus Franklin Swift, founder of the Swift & Company meat packing firm. The plan called for multiple individual meat-packing companies with a shared stockyard, as well as a residential area for employees. Swift proposed the name South San Francisco based on South Chicago and South Omaha, where the Swift company already had plants.