Diagnostic Sonography Schools Southern Pines NC - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Southern Pines North Carolina

Southern Pines NC ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Southern Pines NC, it’s time to begin the procedure of selecting a college. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the proper education to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each program so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Most students will begin by looking for colleges 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 significant factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and additional qualifiers will be addressed more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are offered.

Sonogram Tech Job Summary

Southern Pines NC 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 basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Southern Pines NC clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily job tasks of a sonogram tech can involve:

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 usage and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available

Southern Pines NC ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically involve about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish. Another option for individuals who have previously 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 medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a practical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges organize through Southern Pines NC hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification prerequisites in North Carolina or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Southern Pines NC As aforementioned, nearly all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus facility. Clinical training can often be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Southern Pines NC hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Southern Pines home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online colleges are often more affordable than on campus alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just as with every ultrasound tech school you are looking at, confirm 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 particularly important for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs

Questions to ask Southern Pines NC ultrasound tech schools When you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You may first want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Southern Pines NC area. Obviously location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification as well. But there are other variables that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are several questions that you need ask each sonographer college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous review of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also receive 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. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Southern Pines NC health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the ultrasound technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Southern Pines NC clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Southern Pines health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with North Carolina healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Southern Pines NC residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally 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 likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher 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 an opportunity to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the ultrasound tech college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Southern Pines NC area, confirm that they are available. 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 Southern Pines NC?

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

Southern Pines, North Carolina

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40.2 km²), of which 15.4 square miles (39.8 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.5 km²) (1.16%) is water.

As of the 2010 census,[2] there were 12,334 people, 5,866 households, and 3,304 families residing in the town. The population density was 806 people per square mile (311.2/km²). There were 6,859 housing units at an average density of 371 houses/condos per square mile (143.24/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 71.7% White, 24% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.[10]

Of the 5,866 households, 21% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 13% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7 had a male householder with no female present, and 38.9% were non-families. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.75.[10]

In the town, the population was spread out with 21.9% aged 19 and younger, 4.7% from 20 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 27.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47. For every 100 females, there were 82 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.[10]

Find the Right Diagnostic Sonography Schools Southern Pines NC

Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is an important first step to embarking on a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Additional beneficial skills include technical aptitude, the ability to keep calm when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Sonography Schools. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you select 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 choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an sonographer in Southern Pines NC.