Ultrasound College Stratford CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Training Program near Stratford Connecticut

Stratford CT ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Stratford CT, the next step is to start the procedure of choosing a college. To begin with, you must find the right program that will furnish the appropriate instruction 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 preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each college in order to evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? Many individuals will start by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost must be considered when making a decision, but there are other important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifications will be covered more in detail 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 available.

Sonogram Tech Work Summary

Stratford 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 implement diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority work in Stratford CT clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily job duties of a sonogram tech can 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 use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Offered

Stratford CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete. Another option for those who have previously received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician colleges do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges organize through Stratford CT hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification prerequisites in Connecticut or whichever state you elect to work in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Stratford CT As aforementioned, nearly all sonogram tech schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at an authorized off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be fulfilled through an internship at a local Stratford CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the balance of the classes and training can be attended online in your Stratford home. This is particularly convenient for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than on campus alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be reduced as well. But similarly as with any sonography program you are looking at, verify that the online program you select is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies 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 motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Sonogram Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Stratford CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Stratford CT area. Clearly location will be important if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional variables that you must also take into consideration, such as if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are several questions that you need ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of sonogram tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies 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 detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Stratford CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the ultrasound tech programs you are assessing have relationships with Stratford CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional connections in the Stratford healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Stratford CT home. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need 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 don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the ultrasound tech college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Stratford CT area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Stratford CT?

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

Stratford, Connecticut

Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is situated on Long Island Sound along Connecticut's "Gold Coast" at the mouth of the Housatonic River. Stratford is in the Bridgeport–Stamford–Norwalk Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was founded by Puritans in 1639.

The population was 51,384 as of the 2010 census.[1] It is bordered on the west by Bridgeport, to the north by Trumbull and Shelton, and on the east by Milford (across the Housatonic River). Stratford has a historical legacy in aviation, the military, and theater.

Stratford was founded in 1639 by Puritan leader Reverend Adam Blakeman, William Beardsley, and either 16 families (according to legend) or approximately 35 families (suggested by later research) who had recently arrived in Connecticut from England seeking religious freedom. In 1639 the General Court in Hartford made reference to the town as the "new plantation at Pequannock".[2] In 1640 the community was known as Cupheag, a Native American Paugussett word meaning "at the enclosed place" or "place of shelter".[3] By April 13, 1643, the growing town was known as Stratford, changed to honor William Shakespeare's birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon in England.[4]

Stratford is one of many towns in the northeastern American colonies founded as part of the Great Migration in the 1630s when Puritan families fled an increasingly polarized England in the decade before the civil war between Charles I and Parliament. Some of the Stratford settlers were from families who had first moved from England to the Netherlands to seek religious freedom, like their predecessors on the Mayflower, and decided to come to the New World when their children began to adopt the Dutch culture and language.

Find the Right Ultrasound College Stratford CT

Selecting the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is an important first step to starting a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for extended periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machinery. Other desirable talents include technical aptitude, the ability to keep calm when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound College. However, as we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing. This is the case whether you enroll in an online degree or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each college, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can reach your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Stratford CT.