Sonogram Technician Degree Durham ME - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Durham Maine

Durham ME ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Durham ME, the next step is to start the process of selecting a school. To begin with, you must find the ideal program that will provide the necessary education to become a skilled 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 certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you research each college in order to evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? A number of students will start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

Durham ME sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority work in Durham ME hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job functions of a sonogram tech can involve:

Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining 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. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Durham ME ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally involve around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to finish. Another option for those 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 medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that most sonographer programs do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up through Durham ME hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in Maine or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Durham ME As aforementioned, virtually all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Durham ME hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be attended online in your Durham home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that keep working while earning their degrees. In addition online colleges are frequently less costly than on-campus alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But just as with every sonographer school you are considering, confirm that the online program you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Ultrasound Tech Schools

Questions to ask Durham ME ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Durham ME area. Naturally location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are additional variables that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they sponsor internships. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are some questions that you need ask each sonography college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 rigorous assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. 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 assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Durham ME employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the sonogram technician colleges you are assessing have partnerships with Durham ME hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to get practical 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 help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Durham medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Durham ME home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online 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 school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor 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 sonogram technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Durham ME area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, 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 may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Durham ME?

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

Durham, Maine

Durham is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,848 at the 2010 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.04 square miles (101.11 km2), of which 38.28 square miles (99.14 km2) is land and 0.76 square miles (1.97 km2) is water.[1]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 3,848 people, 1,496 households, and 1,143 families residing in the town. The population density was 100.5 inhabitants per square mile (38.8/km2). There were 1,548 housing units at an average density of 40.4 per square mile (15.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.8% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 1,496 households of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.6% were non-families. 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.85.

Find the Right Sonogram Technician Degree Durham ME

Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is an important first step to commencing a gratifying new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you should be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for prolonged time frames with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Other helpful skills include technical aptitude, the ability to stay collected when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonogram Technician Degree. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This is true whether you choose an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Durham ME.