Medical Sonographer School New Britain CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech College near New Britain Connecticut

New Britain CT ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near New Britain CT, it’s time to begin the procedure of picking a school. First, you must find the right program that will furnish the appropriate instruction to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each school in order to assess and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? Many potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are additional important factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be covered more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Summary

New Britain CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in New Britain CT hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily work duties of a sonogram technician may involve:

Keeping records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for supplemental testing

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

Ultrasound Technician Degrees Offered

New Britain CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take about 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have previously obtained 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 medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician colleges do have a practical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges set up through New Britain CT clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in New Britain CT As aforementioned, almost all sonogram technician schools have a practical component to their programs. So although you can receive a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either carried out in an on campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can typically be fulfilled through an internship at a local New Britain CT outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the rest of the classes and training may be attended online in your New Britain home. This is particularly convenient for those students that keep working while earning their degrees. In addition online schools are often more affordable than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech college you are considering, verify that the online school you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes could be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask New Britain CT ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the New Britain CT area. Clearly location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other factors that you should also take into account, for example if the programs are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonographer program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Schools Accredited? Most ultrasound technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded 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 undergone a detailed assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many New Britain CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have associations with New Britain CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the New Britain health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their New Britain CT home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something 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 normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally 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 person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer college you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the New Britain CT area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near New Britain CT?

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

New Britain, Connecticut

New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Hartford. According to 2010 Census, the population of the city is 73,206.[1]

Among the southernmost of the communities encompassed within the Hartford-Springfield Knowledge Corridor metropolitan region, New Britain is home to Central Connecticut State University and Charter Oak State College.

The city's official nickname is the "Hardware City" because of its history as a manufacturing center and as the headquarters of Stanley Black & Decker. Because of its large Polish population, the city is often playfully referred to as "New Britski."[3]

New Britain was settled in 1687 and then was incorporated as a new parish under the name New Britain Society in 1754. The name is a transfer from Great Britain.[4] Chartered in 1850 as a township and in 1871 as a city, New Britain had separated from the nearby town of Farmington, Connecticut. A consolidation charter was adopted in 1905.

Find the Right Medical Sonographer School New Britain CT

Enrolling in the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a vital first step to starting a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges 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 lengthy durations and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other beneficial talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay levelheaded when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Medical Sonographer School. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are multiple questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing. This is true whether you choose an online program or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can assess each school, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can achieve your objective to practice as an sonographer in New Britain CT.