Online Sonography School Oxford CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Oxford Connecticut

Oxford CT ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Oxford CT, the next step is to begin the process of picking a college. To begin with, you have to find the ideal program that will provide the necessary training to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each program so that you can assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one start? Most prospective students will start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost should be considered when making a decision, but there are additional important factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are available.

Sonogram Tech Work Description

Oxford CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several acceptable 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 primary job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Oxford CT hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily job functions of an ultrasound technician can include:

Preserving records of patient case 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 re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying necessity for further testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently evaluate the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Oxford 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 require about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete. Another alternative for those who have already earned 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 medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to consider is that almost all ultrasound technician programs do have a clinical training element as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges set up through Oxford CT clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you elect to work in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Oxford CT As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Clinical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Oxford CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the balance of the classes and training can be attended online in your Oxford home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. In addition online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech college you are looking at, verify that the online school you choose is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Oxford CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Oxford CT area. Certainly location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification also. But there are other variables that you should also take into account, such as if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech college before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Oxford CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the ultrasound technician schools you are evaluating have partnerships with Oxford CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Oxford medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the sonographer schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Oxford CT home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear 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 personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech school you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Oxford CT area, make certain that they are available. 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 need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Oxford CT?

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

Oxford, Connecticut

Oxford is a residential town located in western New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,683 at the 2010 Census.[2] Oxford is the 26th-wealthiest town in the state by median household income.[3] Distinct settled areas in the town include Oxford Center, Quaker Farms, and Riverside. Oxford belongs to the Bridgeport–Stamford–Norwalk Metropolitan Statistical Area, a subregion of the New York metropolitan area.

In the 18th century, farmers herded livestock through Oxford from as far away as Litchfield on the way to the port of New Haven. In the 19th century, the town lost population as farmers moved to work in better-paying factories.[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.3 square miles (86.3 km2), of which 32.7 square miles (84.8 km2) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2), or 1.78%, is water.[7]

As of the census of 2010, there were 12,683 people, 4,504 households, and 3,672 families residing in the town. Oxford's population increased 29.1% between 2000 and 2010, making it the fastest-growing municipality in Connecticut for that period.[10] The population density was 387.9 people per square mile (149.6/km²). There were 4,746 housing units at an average density of 145.1 per square mile (56.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.5% White, 1.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.6% some other race, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.[2]

Find the Right Online Sonography School Oxford CT

Choosing the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to commencing a gratifying new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you should 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 position patients and move heavy equipment. Other preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain levelheaded when confronted by 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 Online Sonography School. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing. This is true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Oxford CT.