Sonogram Technician Education Austell GA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Technician Training Program near Austell Georgia

Austell GA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Austell GA, it’s time to begin the procedure of selecting a college. First, you must find the right program that will furnish the necessary instruction to become a skilled professional. And since some states do mandate that ultrasound techs 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 research each school in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But exactly where does one begin? Most prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location need to 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 sponsor internships. These and additional qualifications will be discussed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are offered.

Sonographer Work Summary

Austell GA 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. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Austell GA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily work duties of an ultrasound technician can consist of:

Preserving records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying need for supplemental testing

Sonographers must frequently gauge 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 maintain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Austell GA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to finish. 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 relevant health sector, 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 the majority of sonographer colleges do have a clinical training component as a portion of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many schools set up through Austell GA clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Georgia or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Austell GA As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus facility. Clinical training can typically be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Austell GA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the balance of the classes and training can be attended online in your Austell home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online colleges are often more affordable than on campus alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech program you are considering, check that the online school you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Austell GA ultrasound tech schools After you have determined the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Austell GA area. Obviously location will be critical if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional things that you should also take into consideration, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech school before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of ultrasound tech colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations 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 undergone a detailed review of their teachers and educational materials. If the program 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 ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Austell GA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the ultrasound technician colleges you are evaluating have relationships with Austell GA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Austell healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the sonographer programs 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 good relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Austell GA 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 concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even 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 frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the sonographer college you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Austell GA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Austell GA?

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

Austell, Georgia

The area that is now Austell was frequented by game hunters and trappers on their way to the area's salt licks. These early visitors claimed the area's waters had medicinal properties. It soon became a destination for therapeutic healing, leading to the founding of a town known as Salt Springs. As immigration increased and demand for land near the spring grew, G. O. Mozely donated and subdivided 40 acres (16 ha) of his land, enhancing the loose settlement with a street plan. Later, the spring was renamed Lithia Springs due to the water containing lithium carbonate, and the neighboring city of Lithia Springs was founded in 1882. In 1888, the lithia spring water was bottled and sold under the commercial name Bowden Lithia Spring Water.[5] The historic lithia spring water is still bottled and sold under the name brand Lithia Spring Water. Georgia Pacific, now a division of Southern Railway, chose the town of Austell to be a station depot, being the dividing point for the major Birmingham and Chattanooga railway lines.[6]

Austell was incorporated in 1885.[7] The town is named for General Alfred Austell (1814–1881), founder of the Atlanta National Bank (later Wachovia), in recognition of his efforts to bring major railways to the South.[8] Austell is buried in an elaborate Gothic Revival-style mausoleum at the highest point in Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery.

Austell is located along the southern border of Cobb County at 33°48′57″N 84°38′10″W / 33.81583°N 84.63611°W / 33.81583; -84.63611 (33.815905, −84.636242).[10] A small portion of the city extends south into Douglas County. It is bordered by Lithia Springs to the south and Mableton to the east. The city of Powder Springs is 4 miles (6 km) to the northwest. U.S. Route 78 passes through the city, leading east 15 miles (24 km) to downtown Atlanta and west 8 miles (13 km) to Douglasville.

According to the Köppen classification, Austell has a humid subtropical climate[11] with hot, humid summers and mild, but occasionally cold winters by the standards of the southern United States. The city experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with a July daily average of 89 °F (32 °C). In a normal summer it is not unusual for temperatures to exceed 90 °F (32 °C). Winters are mild, windy, with some warm, sunny days and occasional snow, with a January average high of 50 °F (10 °C) and low of 30 °F (−1 °C). Occasionally, high temperatures will struggle to reach 40 °F (4 °C), and nights can dip into the teens. Subzero temperatures are very uncommon and only occur every decade or so.

Find the Right Sonogram Technician Education Austell GA

Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to launching a gratifying new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for lengthy time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Other helpful talents include technical proficiency, the ability to remain calm when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonogram Technician Education. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing. 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 compare each school, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your objective to practice as an sonographer in Austell GA.