Online Sonography Programs New Fairfield CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

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

New Fairfield CT ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near New Fairfield CT, the next step is to start the process of choosing a school. To begin with, you must find the right program that will provide the necessary training to become a qualified professional. And because a number of states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, 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 program so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? Most students will begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and additional qualifications will be covered more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Occupation Description

New Fairfield CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in New Fairfield CT clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily job functions of a sonogram technician may include:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining necessity for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

New Fairfield CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the option to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally involve around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have previously obtained 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 related health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that most ultrasound technician colleges do have a practical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many colleges set up with New Fairfield CT clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in New Fairfield CT As earlier discussed, almost all sonogram tech schools have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can earn a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at an authorized off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local New Fairfield CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the remainder of the classes and training may be accessed online in your New Fairfield home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online programs are frequently less expensive than traditional alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just as with any sonography program you are considering, check that the online program 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 particularly significant for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Sonogram Tech Colleges

Questions to ask New Fairfield CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the procedure of assessing and comparing sonogram technician colleges. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the New Fairfield CT area. Naturally location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification as well. But there are additional things that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are some questions that you need ask each sonographer college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? Most ultrasound tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous New Fairfield CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the ultrasound tech programs you are evaluating have partnerships with New Fairfield CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the New Fairfield healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign 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 lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their New Fairfield CT home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the sonographer school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the New Fairfield CT area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near New Fairfield CT?

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

New Fairfield, Connecticut

New Fairfield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,881 at the 2010 census.[1] New Fairfield is one of five towns that surround Candlewood Lake, the largest lake in Connecticut.

In 1724, colonial settlers from Fairfield, Connecticut received approval from the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut to establish a new township. According to one account, they negotiated with Chief Squantz of the Schaghticoke tribe of Algonquian lineage. Alternatively, it is told that they did not negotiate with Chief Squantz because he moved to the north end of Squantz Pond land area and refused to "sell" the township of New Fairfield. They returned in the Spring of 1725, but found that Chief Squantz had died during the winter. His four sons and heirs refused to sign the deeds. It was not until four years later that the white men called "The Proprietors" finally got the drawn marks of several other native people who may not have had authority to sell the land.[3] They "purchased" a 31,000 acre tract of land that is now New Fairfield and Sherman, for the equivalent of about 300 dollars and on April 24, 1729, The deed was recorded on May 9, 1729, and is now deposited in the archives of the state capital in Hartford, Connecticut.

In 1926, Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) began construction on Candlewood Lake, considered by many to be an engineering wonder. CL&P flooded the valley to control the water flow from the Housatonic and Rocky Rivers and produce hydroelectric power for the region. Candlewood Lake was named for the Native American practice of using stripped wood from pine trees as kindling for fire. The lake shares its shores with the towns of New Fairfield, Sherman, New Milford, Brookfield, and Danbury. [4]

New Fairfield was home to the Candlewood Playhouse, a 650-seat summer stock theater run by the Gateway Playhouse, currently operating in Bellport, New York. The land once occupied by it is now a Stop and Shop supermarket.

Find the Right Online Sonography Programs New Fairfield CT

Picking the right sonographer certificate or degree program is a vital first step to launching a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic standards, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged time frames and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional beneficial skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain calm when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Sonography Programs. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are considering. This is true whether you choose an online program or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in New Fairfield CT.