How to Select the Right Ultrasound Technician College near South Portland Maine
Now that you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near South Portland ME, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And given that some states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each school so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? Most potential 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 important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are offered.
Sonogram Tech Job Summary
There are multiple professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in South Portland ME hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily job functions of an ultrasound technician may consist of:
- Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
- Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and identifying necessity for further testing
Ultrasound techs must frequently assess 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 maintain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.
Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Offered
Sonogram tech enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually require about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to finish. Another option for individuals who have previously 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 medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that almost all sonographer schools do have a practical training element as a portion of their course of study. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many schools sponsor through South Portland ME hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the certification or licensing requirements in Maine or whichever state you choose to work in.
Ultrasound Tech Online Classes
As earlier discussed, almost all ultrasound tech schools have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either held in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus facility. Practical training can typically be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local South Portland ME hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the rest of the training and classes may be attended online in your South Portland home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while earning their degrees. In addition online programs are many times more affordable than on-campus options. Expenses for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just as with every sonographer college you are considering, make sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs
After you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of reviewing and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the South Portland ME area. Naturally location will be critical if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional things that you must also take into account, for example if the schools are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program prior to making a decision.
Are the Ultrasound Tech Colleges Accredited? Most ultrasound technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program 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 undergone a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many South Portland ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.
Are Internships Provided? Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are evaluating have relationships with South Portland ME clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional relationships in the South Portland health care community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? 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 schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their South Portland ME home. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the South Portland ME area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.
Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near South Portland ME?
If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near South Portland Maine, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.
South Portland, Maine
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state, incorporated in 1898. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of Portland and the islands of Casco Bay. Due to South Portland's close proximity to air, marine, rail, and highway transportation options, the city has become a center for retail and industry in the region.
Despite the name, South Portland was never part of the city of Portland, but rather part of Cape Elizabeth. It broke off in 1895. However, both Cape Elizabeth and Portland were once part of Falmouth. Cape Elizabeth, then including what later became South Portland, broke away from Falmouth in 1765. South Portland is a principal city of the Portland – South Portland – Biddeford metropolitan area.
South Portland was first settled in 1630, and it grew to become a small residential community with many farms. The village was raided by natives in Father Rale's War (1724). In 1858, the City of Portland purchased land near the Fore River for the Forest City Cemetery. On March 15, 1895, it was incorporated as a town after it broke away from Cape Elizabeth, based on a disagreement on a future source of public drinking water. Three years later South Portland became a city, destined to receive its drinking water, like Portland, from Sebago Lake, while Cape Elizabeth used wells or other local sources.
On South Portland's waterfront is Fort Preble, which is a military fort established in 1808 to protect Portland Harbor. It was in operation during several American conflicts, including the United States Civil War, World War I, and World War II. Near Fort Preble is Spring Point Ledge Light, which was constructed by the federal government in 1897 to mark a dangerous rock ledge.
Find the Right Sonography Degree Near Me South Portland ME
Choosing the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to entering a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from satisfying academic requirements, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep levelheaded when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonography Degree Near Me. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This holds true whether you select an online program or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each program, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can realize your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in South Portland ME.
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