Diagnostic Medical Sonography Online Courses Canterbury CT

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Canterbury Connecticut

Canterbury CT ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Canterbury CT, the next step is to begin the process of selecting a school. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the necessary instruction to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each school so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? Many potential students will begin by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other critical factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be covered more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

Canterbury CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Canterbury CT hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work functions of an ultrasound tech can involve:

Preserving records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying need for additional testing

Sonographers must routinely evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Offered

Canterbury CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take about 18 months to 2 years to finish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to complete. Another alternative for those who have already received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant medical field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to consider is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a practical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous schools set up with Canterbury CT clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you decide to work in.

Sonographer Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Canterbury CT As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at an approved off campus facility. Practical training can often be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Canterbury CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the remainder of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Canterbury home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that keep working while earning their degrees. In addition online colleges are many times more affordable than on-campus options. Costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased also. But similarly as with any ultrasound tech school you are considering, make sure that the online program you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for certification, licensing and job placement (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 an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Ultrasound Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Canterbury CT ultrasound tech schools Once you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of assessing and comparing sonogram technician colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Canterbury CT area. Obviously location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier also. But there are other things that you must also take into account, such as if the programs are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are several questions that you need ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, 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 sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive examination of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Canterbury CT health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the ultrasound technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Canterbury CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Canterbury health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Canterbury CT home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer college you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Canterbury CT area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Canterbury CT?

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

Canterbury, Connecticut

The area was first settled in the 1680s as Peagscomsuck, consisting mainly of land north of Norwich, south of New Roxbury, Massachusetts (now Woodstock, Connecticut) and west of the Quinebaug River, Peagscomsuck Island and the Plainfield Settlement.[2] In 1703 it was officially separated from Plainfield and named The Town of Canterbury.[1][3] The town's name is a transfer from Canterbury, in England.[4]

In 1832, Prudence Crandall, a schoolteacher raised as a Quaker, stirred controversy when she opened a school for black girls in town. The Connecticut General Assembly passed the "Black Law" which prohibited the education of black children from out of state, but Crandall persisted in teaching, and was briefly jailed in 1832. Mobs forced the closure of the school in 1834, and Crandall married the Reverend Calvin Philleo that same year and moved to Illinois. Connecticut repealed the Black Law in 1838, and later recognized Crandall with a small pension in 1886, four years before her death. In 1995, the Connecticut General Assembly designated Prudence Crandall as the state's official heroine because she opened the first Academy for young black women. The school still stands in Canterbury, and currently serves as the Prudence Crandall Museum and is a National Historic Landmark.[5][6] In 2009 a life-size bronze statue of Prudence Crandall with one of her African American students was installed in the state capital.[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.2 square miles (104 km2), of which, 39.9 square miles (103 km2) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it (0.62%) is water.

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 4,692 people, 1,717 households, and 1,339 families residing in the town. The population density was 117.6 people per square mile (45.4/km²). There were 1,762 housing units at an average density of 44.2 per square mile (17.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.34% White, 0.36% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

Find the Right Diagnostic Medical Sonography Online Courses Canterbury CT

Enrolling in the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is an important first step to launching a rewarding new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to meeting academic standards, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for prolonged periods with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional helpful talents 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 Diagnostic Medical Sonography Online Courses. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each school, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Canterbury CT.