Sonogram Technician Training Brooklyn MD - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Brooklyn Maryland

Brooklyn MD ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Brooklyn MD, the next step is to start the process of choosing a college. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the proper education to become a qualified professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each school in order to evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? Most prospective students will start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other important factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Sonogram Tech Job Summary

Brooklyn MD sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable 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 implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Brooklyn MD hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily job tasks of an ultrasound technician can include:

Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Escorting 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

Ultrasound techs must regularly gauge the performance and safety of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Offered

Brooklyn MD ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take about 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete. Another option for those who have already received 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 field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that the majority of sonographer schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many colleges sponsor with Brooklyn MD hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in Maryland or whatever state you choose to practice in.

Online Sonogram Tech Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Brooklyn MD As aforementioned, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a substantial 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 usually be fulfilled through an internship at a local Brooklyn MD hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be attended online in your Brooklyn home. This is especially convenient for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online programs are many times less expensive than traditional options. Expenses for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just as with any sonographer school you are reviewing, check that the online school you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Sonography Programs

Questions to ask Brooklyn MD ultrasound tech schools Once you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Brooklyn MD area. Clearly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional things that you should 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 arrive at your ultimate selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each sonography college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of ultrasound tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive review of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Brooklyn MD employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the ultrasound technician schools you are assessing have relationships with Brooklyn MD hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Brooklyn medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Maryland healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Brooklyn MD home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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 sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Brooklyn MD area, confirm that they are offered. 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 need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Brooklyn MD?

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

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College originated in 1910 with the establishment of an extension division of the City College for Teachers. The school then began offering evening classes for first-year male college students in 1917. In 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the college authorized the combination of the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College – at that time a women's college – and the City College of New York – a men's college – both of which had been established in 1926.[3] With the merger of these branches, Brooklyn College became the first public coeducational liberal arts college in New York City.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school tied for number 83 as a Regional college (North region). The school was ranked in the top ten for value, diversity, and location by Princeton Review in 2003 and in the top fifty for value in 2009.[4][5][6]

In 1932, the architect Randolph Evans drafted a plan for the college's campus on a substantial plot of land his employer owned in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. He sketched out a Georgian-style campus facing a central quadrangle, and anchored by a library building with a tall tower. Evans presented the sketches to the president of the college at the time, Dr. William A. Boylan. Boylan was pleased with the plans, and the lot of land was purchased for $1.6 million. Construction of the new campus began in 1935, with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by then Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and Brooklyn Borough President Raymond Ingersoll. In 1936, the President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt went to Brooklyn College to lay the cornerstone of the Brooklyn College Gymnasium. President Boylan, Borough President Ingersoll, and President Roosevelt all had buildings on Brooklyn College's campus named after them. The campus located in Midwood became the only Brooklyn College campus after the school's Downtown Brooklyn campus was shut down during the 1975 budget emergency.

Brooklyn College's campus East Quad looks much like it did when it was originally constructed. The campus also serves as home to BCBC/ Brooklyn College Presents complex and its four theaters, including the George Gershwin.

Find the Right Sonogram Technician Training Brooklyn MD

Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a vital first step to initiating a rewarding new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for lengthy durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep collected 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 Training. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are multiple questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing. 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 evaluate each program, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your objective to work as an sonographer in Brooklyn MD.