Ultrasound School Green Cove Springs FL - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Green Cove Springs Florida

Green Cove Springs FL ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Green Cove Springs FL, the next step is to begin the process of choosing a college. First, you must find the ideal program that will provide the appropriate instruction to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each school so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? A number of individuals will start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional critical factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

Green Cove Springs FL sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various 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 description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Green Cove Springs FL hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job functions of an ultrasound technician 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 testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining need for additional testing

Sonographers must regularly evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held 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 mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Available

Green Cove Springs FL ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally involve around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another option for those who have previously received 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 relevant medical field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician colleges do have a clinical training element as part of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which many schools sponsor with Green Cove Springs FL clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the certification or licensing requirements in Florida or whichever state you elect to work in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Green Cove Springs FL As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on-campus laboratory or at an authorized off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Green Cove Springs FL outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the remainder of the training and classes may be attended online in your Green Cove Springs home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online programs are many times more affordable than on-campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But similarly as with every sonography school you are considering, verify that the online school you enroll in is accredited. One of 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 finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Green Cove Springs FL ultrasound tech schools Now that you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Green Cove Springs FL area. Naturally location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier as well. But there are additional things that you must also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they provide internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonography college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. 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 getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Green Cove Springs FL employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level positions.

Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the sonogram tech programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Green Cove Springs FL clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional connections in the Green Cove Springs health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Green Cove Springs FL home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on 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 ultrasound tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the sonographer college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Green Cove Springs FL area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Green Cove Springs FL?

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

Green Cove Springs, Florida

Green Cove Springs is a hydrological spring and a city in Clay County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,378 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 6,908.[5] It is the county seat of Clay County.[6]

The area was first inhabited over 7,000 years ago by natives drawn by the warm mineral spring. The spring, locally known as the "Original Fountain of Youth", attracted guests in the 19th century; there were more than a dozen hotels near the spring. Today the sulfur-scented spring water feeds an adjacent public swimming pool before flowing the short distance to the St. Johns River. The Green Cove Springs area was first developed by George J. F. Clarke in 1816 when he was provided land, under a Spanish land grant, to build a sawmill. Green Cove Springs was established in 1854 as White Sulfur Springs. Renamed in 1866, it became the Clay County seat in 1871.

Agriculture and tourism were two of the primary economic ventures until the end of the century, when Henry Flagler's railroad began taking tourists further south into Florida. In 1895, the Great Freeze destroyed the area's citrus crops, and tourism all but ended. The 1920s saw renewed development, with automobile traffic bringing in tourists again. The Great Depression of the 1930s saw the end of growth again for the city.

The period immediately before and during World War II again brought new growth to Green Cove Springs. On September 11, 1940, the U.S. Navy opened Naval Air Station Lee Field in honor of Ensign Bejamin Lee who had lost his life in a crash at Killinghome, England, during World War I. In August 1943, the facility was renamed Naval Air Station Green Cove Springs and consisted of four 5,000-foot (1,500 m) asphalt runways.[7][8] One of the Marine Corps aviators training in the F4U Corsair Operational Training Unit at Lee Field in early 1945 was eventual television personality Ed McMahon.[9] After the war, NAS Green Cove Springs was downgraded in status to a Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) as part of the greater NAS Jacksonville complex. A total of 13 piers were constructed along the west bank of the St. Johns River adjacent to NAAS Green Cove Springs to house a U.S. Navy "Mothball Fleet" of some 500 vessels, primarily destroyers, destroyer escorts and fleet auxiliaries. In 1960, the Navy decommissioned NAAS Green Cove Springs and the pier facility. Some of the mothballed vessels were transferred to foreign navies, while others were relocated to other Reserve Fleet locations.

Find the Right Ultrasound School Green Cove Springs FL

Selecting the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to launching a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged periods with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain calm when confronted by 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 School. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are considering. This is the case whether you choose an online degree or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each program, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an sonographer in Green Cove Springs FL.