Accredited Online Sonography Programs Oxon Hill MD - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Technician Degree Program near Oxon Hill Maryland

Oxon Hill MD ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Oxon Hill MD, it’s time to start the procedure of selecting a school. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate 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 program so that you can assess and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Most students will begin by looking for schools that are within travelling 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 important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Sonogram Tech Job Summary

Oxon Hill MD sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional 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 primary job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Oxon Hill MD hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily work duties of a sonogram technician may include:

Keeping 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 cleaning and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for further testing

Sonographers must frequently evaluate the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degrees Offered

Oxon Hill MD ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to complete. Another option for those who have already received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained 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. Something to bear in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many colleges organize through Oxon Hill MD hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Maryland or whichever state you decide to work in.

Sonographer Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Oxon Hill MD As previously mentioned, almost all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either held in an on campus laboratory or at an approved off campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Oxon Hill MD hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes can be attended online in your Oxon Hill home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than on-campus options. Expenditures for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But similarly as with every sonographer college you are considering, confirm that the online school you enroll in is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies 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 motivated enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask Oxon Hill MD ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Oxon Hill MD area. Clearly location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification as well. But there are other things that you should also take into consideration, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they offer internship programs. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonography college before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? Most ultrasound technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through 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 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. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Oxon Hill MD health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the sonogram tech programs you are assessing have partnerships with Oxon Hill MD clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Oxon Hill healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Maryland healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Oxon Hill MD residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide 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 normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually 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 rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the ultrasound tech school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Oxon Hill MD area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Oxon Hill MD?

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

Oxon Hill, Maryland

Oxon Hill is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in southern Prince George's County, Maryland, United States.[1] Oxon Hill is a suburb of Washington, D.C., located southeast of the downtown district and east of Alexandria, Virginia. It contains the new 300-acre (120 ha) National Harbor development on the shore of the Potomac River.

For the 1990 and 2000 censuses, United States Census Bureau defined a census-designated place consisting of Oxon Hill and the adjacent community of Glassmanor, designated Oxon Hill-Glassmanor, for statistical purposes. As of the 2010 census Oxon Hill was delineated separately and had a population of 17,722.[2]

Oxon Hill was named for the colonial 18th century manor home of Thomas Addison (which burned in 1895 but was replaced in 1929 by a large 49-room neo-Georgian-style home called Oxon Hill Manor, standing on a bluff over the Potomac River). The current Manor is now owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and is used for cultural activities, as well as being rented for weddings and special events. "Oxon" is an abbreviation for the Latin Oxoniensis, meaning "of Oxford." The area now known as Oxon Hill reminded Addison of the area near Oxford, England.[5] The Revolutionary patriot John Hanson died while visiting the first Manor, and may be buried there in an unmarked grave.

Today the community is bisected by the busy Capital Beltway (I-95/495), and is near the interstate Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The enlarged bridge was opened December 15, 2008, and highway interchanges and ramps near the bridge were also re-aligned and re-configured. Prior to that date, traffic backed up into Oxon Hill daily for decades as 250,000–300,000 vehicles a day crossed the Wilson Bridge. (Tens of thousands of white-collar commuters working in Northern Virginia's booming economy find that housing is cheaper in Prince George's County, Maryland.)[citation needed]

Find the Right Accredited Online Sonography Programs Oxon Hill MD

Selecting the right sonographer degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to launching a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for extended time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other beneficial skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm 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 Accredited Online Sonography Programs. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are several 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 school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each school, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as an ultrasound tech in Oxon Hill MD.