Ultrasound College Programs Bridgeport CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Bridgeport Connecticut

Bridgeport CT ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Bridgeport CT, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a school. To begin with, you must find the right program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each college in order to assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one start? Many prospective students will begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location should be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are available.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Description

Bridgeport CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Bridgeport CT clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily work duties of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for further testing

Sonographers must regularly evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

Bridgeport CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to complete. Another option for those who have previously earned a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that almost all sonographer schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which many colleges organize through Bridgeport CT hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Connecticut or whichever state you elect to work in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Bridgeport CT As previously mentioned, almost all ultrasound tech schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on-campus laboratory or at an approved off campus facility. Practical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local Bridgeport CT hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the remainder of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Bridgeport home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online schools are many times less costly than on campus alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But similarly as with every sonographer college you are reviewing, check that the online program you select is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Bridgeport CT ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Bridgeport CT area. Certainly location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional things that you must also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist 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 many Bridgeport CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Bridgeport CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Bridgeport healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely 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 sonographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Bridgeport CT home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider 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 generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Bridgeport CT area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Bridgeport CT?

If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Bridgeport Connecticut, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Bridgeport is a historic seaport city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The largest city in the state, it is located in Fairfield County at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound. As of 2017, Bridgeport had an estimated population of 151,267,[4] making it also the 5th-most populous in New England[5] Located 60 miles from Manhattan and 40 miles from the Bronx, it is bordered by the towns of Trumbull to the north, Fairfield to the west, and Stratford to the east. The Greater Bridgeport area is the 48th-largest urban area in the United States.

The showman P.T. Barnum was a resident of the city and served as the town's mayor in the late 19th century. Barnum built four houses in Bridgeport, and housed his circus in town during winter. The first Subway restaurant opened in the North End section of the city in 1965.[6] The Frisbie Pie Company was located here, and Bridgeport is credited as the birthplace of the Frisbee.[7]

After World War II, industrial restructuring and suburbanization caused the loss of many jobs and affluent residents, leaving Bridgeport struggling with problems of poverty and crime. In the 21st century, with the city being gentrified and other redevelopment, the city is attracting new residents and widespread interest. Bridgeport has become a destination for cultural and sporting events.

Bridgeport was inhabited by the Paugussett native American tribe at the time of its English colonization. The earliest European communal settlement was in the historical Stratfield district,[8] along US Route 1; known in colonial times as the King's Highway. Very closeby, Mount Grove Cemetery was laid out on what was a native village that extended past the 1650s.[9] It is also an ancient Paugusett burial ground.

Find the Right Ultrasound College Programs Bridgeport CT

Selecting the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is an important first step to entering a gratifying new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for prolonged durations and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and move heavy machines. Additional desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound College Programs. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are looking at. This holds true whether you choose an online program or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each program, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your objective to work as an sonographer in Bridgeport CT.