Medical Sonography Degree Voluntown CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Voluntown Connecticut

Voluntown CT ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Voluntown CT, it’s time to start the process of choosing a college. First, you have to find the ideal program that will furnish the necessary training to become a qualified professional. And given that 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 licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you research each program in order to assess and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? Many prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost should be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are available.

Sonographer Occupation Summary

Voluntown CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Voluntown CT hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work tasks of an ultrasound tech may include:

Preserving records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for further testing

Sonographers must frequently gauge the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Available

Voluntown CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech enrollees have the option to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete. Another alternative for those who have already 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 take only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to bear in mind is that the majority of sonographer schools do have a clinical training element as a portion of their course of study. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many colleges set up with Voluntown CT hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you elect to work in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Voluntown CT As earlier discussed, almost all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on campus laboratory or at an authorized off campus facility. Clinical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local Voluntown CT outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the rest of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Voluntown home. This is especially convenient for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online schools are many times less expensive than on-campus options. Costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just as with every sonography college you are reviewing, confirm that the online program you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs

Questions to ask Voluntown CT ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can initiate the procedure of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You may first want to decide whether you will access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Voluntown CT area. Obviously location will be important if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification also. But there are other variables that you must also take into account, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are several questions that you need ask each sonography school before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Colleges Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important 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 earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous review of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Voluntown CT employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the ultrasound tech colleges you are interested in have associations with Voluntown CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Voluntown health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the sonographer programs 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 confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Voluntown 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. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the sonographer program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Voluntown CT area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Voluntown CT?

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

Voluntown, Connecticut

The town was named for the English volunteers in the 1675 Indian wars (King Philip's War) who stayed to fight "and went not away". Later land holders included Benedict Arnold, the Maj. General who later conspired unsuccessfully to turn over the plans of West Point, New York to the British and who betrayed his countrymen by leading British troops in battle against them.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.8 square miles (103 km2). 38.9 square miles (101 km2) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) of it (2.14%) is covered by surface water.

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,528 people, 952 households, and 702 families residing in the town. The population density was 65.0 people per square mile (25.1/km²). There were 1,091 housing units at an average density of 28.0 per square mile (10.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.64% White, 0.55% African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.40% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population. 13.2% were of English, 12.5% French Canadian, 11.5% Irish, 9.2% American, 8.9% French, 8.0% Polish, 7.6% Italian, 7.3% German and 5.6% Finnish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 952 households out of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.05.

Find the Right Medical Sonography Degree Voluntown CT

Enrolling in the right sonographer degree or certificate program is a vital first step to starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other beneficial skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Medical Sonography Degree. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online degree or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each school, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in Voluntown CT.