Sonography Certificate New Haven CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near New Haven Connecticut

New Haven CT ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near New Haven CT, it’s time to begin the process of choosing a college. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the necessary instruction to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you research each program in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But exactly where does one begin? Most prospective students will start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location need to be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifiers will be covered more in depth 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 available.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Summary

New Haven CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as 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 perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority work in New Haven CT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work duties of an ultrasound tech can consist of:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

New Haven CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician enrollees have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to finish. 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 sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that almost all sonographer colleges do have a clinical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many schools sponsor through New Haven CT hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you choose to work in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in New Haven CT As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Clinical training can typically be fulfilled through an internship at a local New Haven CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the rest of the training and classes can be attended online in your New Haven home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are often less expensive than on campus alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But similarly as with any sonographer college you are reviewing, make sure that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Technician Colleges

Questions to ask New Haven CT ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the New Haven CT area. Naturally location will be important if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier as well. But there are additional variables that you must also take into account, such as if the programs are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech school prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it may also earn 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. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous New Haven CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have associations with New Haven CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the New Haven health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the sonographer schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their New Haven CT residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the New Haven CT area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near New Haven CT?

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

New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven is a coastal city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located on New Haven Harbor on the northern shore of Long Island Sound in New Haven County, Connecticut, and is part of the New York metropolitan area. With a population of 129,779 as determined by the 2010 United States Census,[2] it is the second-largest city in Connecticut after Bridgeport. New Haven is the principal municipality of Greater New Haven, which had a total population of 862,477 in 2010.[3]

New Haven was the first planned city in America.[4][5][6] Founded in 1638 by English Puritans, a year later eight streets were laid out in a four-by-four grid, creating what is commonly known as the "Nine Square Plan".[7] The central common block is the New Haven Green, a 16-acre (6 ha) square, and the center of Downtown New Haven. The Green is now a National Historic Landmark and the "Nine Square Plan" is recognized by the American Planning Association as a National Planning Landmark.[8][9]

New Haven is the home of Yale University. As New Haven's biggest taxpayer and employer,[10] Yale serves as an integral part of the city's economy. Health care (hospitals and biotechnology), professional services (legal, architectural, marketing, and engineering), financial services, and retail trade also contribute to the city's economic activity.

The city served as co-capital of Connecticut from 1701 until 1873, when sole governance was transferred to the more centrally located city of Hartford. New Haven has since billed itself as the "Cultural Capital of Connecticut" for its supply of established theaters, museums, and music venues.[11] New Haven had the first public tree planting program in America, producing a canopy of mature trees (including some large elms) that gave New Haven the nickname "The Elm City".[12]

Find the Right Sonography Certificate New Haven CT

Picking the right sonographer certificate or degree program is a vital first step to embarking on a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended time frames and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Additional preferred skills include technical aptitude, the ability to keep levelheaded when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonography Certificate. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are considering. This is true whether you enroll in an online degree or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in New Haven CT.