Sonography Classes Near Me Stafford CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Stafford Connecticut

Stafford CT ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Stafford CT, it’s time to start the process of choosing a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the necessary instruction to become a qualified professional. And since a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each college so that you can evaluate and compare your choices. But exactly where does one start? A number of students will start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other critical factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are offered.

Sonographer Occupation Description

Stafford CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional 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 basic job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Stafford CT clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily work duties of a sonogram technician may involve:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for further testing

Sonographers must frequently gauge the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degrees Offered

Stafford CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually take around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to finalize. Another option 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 medical field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of sonographer schools do have a practical training element as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous schools organize through Stafford CT hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the licensing or certification prerequisites in Connecticut or whichever state you decide to practice in.

Sonographer Online Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Stafford CT As earlier discussed, almost all sonogram tech schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a degree or certificate online, a substantial part of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at an approved off-campus facility. Clinical training can often be satisfied through an internship at a local Stafford CT hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the remainder of the classes and training may be attended online in your Stafford home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less costly than on-campus alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just as with any sonographer college you are looking at, confirm that the online program you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Stafford CT ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Stafford CT area. Certainly location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional factors that you must also take into account, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are some questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school 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 gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring 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 many Stafford CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the sonogram tech programs you are evaluating have relationships with Stafford CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional connections in the Stafford healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good 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 college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Stafford CT home. Individuals who have opted 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. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Stafford CT area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Stafford CT?

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

Stafford, Connecticut

Stafford is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States, settled in 1719. The population was 12,192 at the 2010 census. The community consists of the downtown area of Stafford Springs and the more rural villages of Crystal Lake, Ellithorpe, Hydeville, Orcuttsville, Staffordville, Stafford Hollow, Village Hill, and West Stafford. The town most likely derives its name from Staffordshire, in England.[1]

The Colonial Town of Stafford began as a rural agricultural community in the eastern part of Hartford County. It became part of Tolland County upon the latter's formation on 13 October 1785. The easy availability of water power from the tributaries of the Willimantic River led to industrialization, and this abundance of power helped generate local population growth. By the mid-19th century, Stafford was connected by railroad to markets across New England, and before the State Highway projects of the 1920s and 1930s, the town had a trolley connection to Rockville, CT.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 58.8 sq mi (152.2 km2), of which, 58.0 sq mi (150.1 km2) of it is land and 0.81 sq mi (2.1 km2) of it (1.38%) is water; it is the 3rd largest town in Connecticut based on area.

Stafford Springs is located at the intersection of Routes 190 and 32, in the northeastern region of the state. The community consists of the downtown area of Stafford Springs and the more rural villages of Crystal Lake, Ellithorpe, Hydeville, Orcuttsville, Staffordville, Stafford Hollow, Village Hill, and West Stafford.

Find the Right Sonography Classes Near Me Stafford CT

Picking the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a vital first step to initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech 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 fairly good physical health, able to stand for extended durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonography Classes Near Me. However, as we have covered in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each program, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as an ultrasound tech in Stafford CT.