Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs Montville CT

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Montville Connecticut

Montville CT ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Montville CT, the next step is to begin the procedure of picking a school. To begin with, you have to find the right program that will provide the proper instruction to become a qualified professional. And because some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you research each college in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? A number of individuals will begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location must be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be covered more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Job Summary

Montville CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Montville CT clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily job 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
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying need for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently gauge the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Available

Montville CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally require around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to complete. Another alternative for those who have already 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 related health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that most sonographer schools do have a practical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up through Montville CT clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you decide to work in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Montville CT As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram technician schools have a practical component to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at an approved off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Montville CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Montville home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online schools are often more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech college you are considering, confirm that the online school you enroll in is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school could be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Montville CT ultrasound tech schools After you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Montville CT area. Certainly location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are additional factors that you should also take into account, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are several questions that you need ask each sonographer school before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? Most sonogram technician colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Montville CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing have associations with Montville CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Montville health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Montville CT residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble 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 college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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 Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Montville CT area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Montville CT?

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

Montville, Connecticut

The villages of Chesterfield, Mohegan, Oakdale, and Uncasville are located within the town; the latter two have their own ZIP Codes. Town residents often identify with these villages more than the Town of Montville as a whole, and the Mohegan Sun casino resort is nearby.

In the 17th century, when English settlers arrived, southeastern Connecticut was the scene of rivalry between the Pequot people, the dominant Native American group in the New London area, and the newly independent Mohegan. The latter became friendly to the English. For defense against the Pequot, the Mohegan sachem Uncas had established a fortified village on a promontory above the Thames River within what is now the town of Montville. The Mohegan village, now known as Fort Shantok, was protected on the inland side by palisades first built in about 1636 at the time of the Pequot War, rebuilt during wars with the Narragansett people circa 1653–1657, and rebuilt again at the time of King Philip's War (1675–1676).

When the boundaries of New London (then called "Pequot") were first defined in 1646, the Oxoboxo River formed the northern boundary. Parts of the modern town of Montville lying south of the river were included in New London, while the area north of the river was treated as Mohegan land. Over time the settlers assumed control of Mohegan lands. In 1703 the area between the Oxoboxo River and Norwich (now part of the town of Montville) was annexed by New London.[2]

In 1786 Montville was separated from New London and incorporated as a separate Town. Before incorporation, it was known as the North Parish of New London. In 1819 the adjacent Town of Salem was formed from parts of the towns of Montville, Lyme, and Colchester.[3] The name "Montville" signifies "mountain village".[4]

Find the Right Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs Montville CT

Enrolling in the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to entering a fulfilling new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged durations and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional beneficial talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are looking at. This is the case whether you select an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each college, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Montville CT.