Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Wheeler Army Airfield HI 96854

How to Pick an X-Ray Technician Program near Wheeler Army Airfield Hawaii

Wheeler Army Airfield HI x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Wheeler Army Airfield HI so you can learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you tackle choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And because most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you might require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications also. For example, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training choices that are available.

X-Ray Tech Occupation Description

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 function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in Wheeler Army Airfield HI hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 take care of their equipment and also regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Wheeler Army Airfield HI medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Wheeler Army Airfield HI The primary prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are appropriate also. Something to consider is that Wheeler Army Airfield HI radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Hawaii or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several accept additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, many Wheeler Army Airfield HI employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Wheeler Army Airfield 96854 As a component 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 substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is often performed 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 Wheeler Army Airfield HI residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally less costly than on-campus options. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just make certain 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 structured style of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiographer Colleges

After you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of searching for and evaluating Wheeler Army Airfield HI x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a determining factor as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed examination of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Wheeler Army Airfield HI health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Hawaii radiology tech programs you are assessing have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Wheeler Army Airfield HI healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wheeler Army Airfield HI healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Wheeler Army Airfield HI home. Individuals who have decided 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 choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need 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 Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Wheeler Army Airfield HI colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech college you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Wheeler Army Airfield HI, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Technician School near Wheeler Army Airfield HI

Selecting the right radiology technician degree program is a critical first step toward starting a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Wheeler Army Airfield HI.

Some Background on Wheeler Army Airfield Hawaii

Wheeler Army Airfield

Wheeler Army Airfield (IATA: HHI, ICAO: PHHI, FAA LID: HHI), also known as Wheeler Field and formerly as Wheeler Air Force Base, is a United States Army post located in the City & County of Honolulu and in the Wahiawa District of the Island of O'ahu, Hawaii.[4][5] It is a National Historic Landmark for its role in the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.[3]

Wheeler AAF comprises approximately 1,389 acres (5.62 km2) of land adjacent to Schofield Barracks and is home to a variety of Department of Defense activities including the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), the 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron (169 ACWS) of the Hawaii Air National Guard, the 193rd Aviation Regiment (Medium Lift), Detachment 55 Operational Support Airlift (Det 55 OSA) of the Hawaii Army National Guard, the Regular Army's 25th Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade, and Trial Defense Service-Hawaii.[6][7]

On 6 February 1922, a detachment of 20 enlisted men from Luke Field, proceeded to Schofield Barracks, under Lieutenant William T. Agee, to clear the flying field on the grounds of the former 17th Cavalry Regiment drill grounds and construct housing for the divisional air service. Two canvas hangars were erected and the field cleared of weeds, guava and algaroba trees. Thus Wheeler Field got its modest start. It was named Wheeler Field on 11 November 1922 in honor of Major Sheldon H. Wheeler, former commander of Luke Field on Ford Island, killed in the crash of DH-4B, AAS Ser. No. 63525 on 13 July 1921.[8]

In June 1923, 13 months after the designation of the new flying field, shop hangars, airplane hangars, and oil storage tanks were erected. In 1927, one of the wooden shop hangars was remodeled to provide space for a barracks and a mess hall incident to the formation of a pursuit group. It was not until 1930 that any permanent construction was started. Many different units were originally stationed at Wheeler Field. The first units of the Schofield Barracks divisional airdrome were the 4th Observation Squadron, Photo Section No. 11 and Branch Intelligence Office No. 11.

In October 1922, the photo section and intelligence units were returned to Luke Field. The following May, the 17th Composite Group was organized at Wheeler. It consisted of a Headquarters Squadron, the 19th Pursuit Squadron and the 4th Observation Squadron. These units operated from the field until January 1924, when the 17th Group was rendered inactive. Three years later, the foundation for the present 18th Pursuit Group was laid and the 6th and 19th Pursuit Squadrons were transferred from Luke Field. More squadrons were eventually added to the 18th Pursuit Group and Bellows Field was opened as an aerial gunnery camp for the use of tactical organizations. The 15th Pursuit Group was formed next and was made a permanent part of the airdrome. Hand in hand with this move came the formation of the 14th Pursuit Wing.