Diagnostic Medical Sonography Online Schools South Glastonbury CT

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech College near South Glastonbury Connecticut

South Glastonbury CT ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near South Glastonbury CT, the next step is to begin the procedure of choosing a college. First, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the proper training to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you research each school so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? Most individuals will begin by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location must be considered when making a decision, but there are other important factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and other qualifiers will be covered more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are available.

Sonographer Occupation Description

South Glastonbury CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in South Glastonbury CT clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Typical daily work functions of an ultrasound tech may consist of:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying necessity for further testing

Sonographers must frequently evaluate the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degrees Offered

South Glastonbury CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve about 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 four years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have previously earned a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have received 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 only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that most sonographer schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their course of study. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges sponsor through South Glastonbury CT hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification prerequisites in Connecticut or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in South Glastonbury CT As previously mentioned, nearly all sonogram technician schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can earn a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at an authorized off campus facility. Clinical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local South Glastonbury CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the balance of the training and classes can be attended online in your South Glastonbury home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online schools are often less expensive than traditional options. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just as with every ultrasound tech school you are reviewing, check that the online program you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs

Questions to ask South Glastonbury CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You may first want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a college campus in the South Glastonbury CT area. Of course location will be important if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are other factors that you should also take into consideration, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are some questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous examination of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of South Glastonbury CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are interested in have associations with South Glastonbury CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the South Glastonbury healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their South Glastonbury CT home. Those 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 importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the sonographer program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the South Glastonbury CT area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near South Glastonbury CT?

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

Glastonbury, Connecticut

Glastonbury is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, formally founded in 1693 with settlers first arriving in 1636. The town was named after Glastonbury in Somerset, England.[1] Glastonbury is located on the banks of the Connecticut River, 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Hartford. The town center is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). The population was 34,427 at the 2010 census.[2]

In 1636, thirty families were settled in Pyaug, a tract of land belonging to Wethersfield on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, bought from the Native American chief Sowheag for 12 yards (11 m) of trading cloth. In 1672, Wethersfield and Hartford were granted permission by the General Court to extend the boundary line of Pyaug 5 miles (8 km) to the east. By 1690, residents of Pyaug had gained permission from Wethersfield to become a separate town and, in 1693, the town of Glassenbury was created.[3]

The ties have not been completely broken: the oldest continuously operating ferry in the United States still runs between South Glastonbury and Rocky Hill, also then part of Wethersfield, as it did as far back as 1655. One result of being split off from Wethersfield was that the town was built along a main road, rather than around the large green that anchors most New England towns. After part of New London Turnpike was realigned to eliminate the rotary in the middle of town during the mid-20th century, a small green was established there.

During the American Revolutionary War, several homes were used to hold classes from Yale University. Noah Webster was a student in these classes; later he taught at one of Glastonbury's one-room schoolhouses.

Find the Right Diagnostic Medical Sonography Online Schools South Glastonbury CT

Enrolling in the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is a vital first step to commencing a rewarding new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for extended periods and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain levelheaded 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 Diagnostic Medical Sonography Online Schools. However, as we have covered in this article, there are multiple questions that you should ask each school you are looking at. This is true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in South Glastonbury CT.