Ultrasound Tech Colleges Southport NC - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician College near Southport North Carolina

Southport NC ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Southport NC, 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 proper instruction to become a qualified professional. And since some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you research each college so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Many students will begin by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location must be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other important factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education options that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Job Description

Southport NC sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several 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 perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Southport NC hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily work duties of a sonogram technician may 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 use and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining necessity for supplemental testing

Sonographers must frequently evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Offered

Southport NC ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech enrollees have the option to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take around 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to complete. Another option for individuals 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 related medical field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training element as part of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous schools organize through Southport NC clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in North Carolina or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Southport NC As previously mentioned, nearly all sonogram tech schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at an approved off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Southport NC hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the rest of the training and classes can be attended online in your Southport home. This is especially convenient for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online colleges are many times more affordable than on campus options. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just as with any sonography program you are reviewing, confirm that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Southport NC ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Southport NC area. Of course location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier as well. But there are other factors that you should also take into consideration, such as if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? Most ultrasound tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed examination of their teachers and course materials. If the college 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 recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid 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 a number of Southport NC employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram technician colleges you are assessing have partnerships with Southport NC hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Southport healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the sonographer schools you are considering 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 North Carolina healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Southport NC residence. Those who have decided 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 importance. Something to bear 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 sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student 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 a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the ultrasound tech program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Southport NC area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. 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 Southport NC?

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

Southport, North Carolina

Southport has been a popular filming location for television and movies, including film adaptations of the works of novelist Nicholas Sparks. The town can be seen in the television series Dawson's Creek, Under the Dome, Revenge, and Matlock, and in numerous movies, including I Know What You Did Last Summer, Summer Catch, Domestic Disturbance, Crimes of the Heart, Nights in Rodanthe, A Walk to Remember and Safe Haven.

The Southport area was explored as early as the 1500s by Spanish explorers. During the 18th century, British settlements along the Carolina coast lacked fortifications to protect against pirates and privateers, and numerous Spanish attackers exploited this weakness. In response to these attacks, Governor Gabriel Johnston in 1744 appointed a committee to select the best location to construct a fort for the defense of the Cape Fear River region. It was determined that the fort should be constructed at a site at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. During the same year, France declared war against Britain, later known as King George's War, increasing the fort's need. Further, increasingly bold Spanish privateer raids led the North Carolina General Assembly to authorize the construction of "Johnston's Fort" in April 1745, which would come to be known as Fort Johnston. The governor of South Carolina agreed to lend ten small cannons for the fort, and the legislature, in spring 1748, appropriated 2,000 pounds for construction costs, and construction finally began. Southport developed around Fort Johnston.[5]

Southport was founded as the town of Smithville in 1792.[6] Joshua Potts had requested the formation of a town adjacent to Fort Johnston, and the North Carolina General Assembly formed a commission of five men to administer its founding. The town was named after Benjamin Smith, a colonel in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and later governor of North Carolina.[6] Smithville grew as a fishing village and through supporting military activity. Smithville was the county seat of Brunswick County from 1808 to 1887.[7] In an effort to promote the town as a major shipping port, Smithville was renamed Southport in 1887.[6]Smithville Township, in which Southport lies, and other local landmarks, such as the cemetery, retain the Smithville name.

Southport is located in southeastern Brunswick County at 33°55′28″N 78°1′14″W / 33.92444°N 78.02056°W / 33.92444; -78.02056 (33.924484, -78.020513)[8] on the northwest bank of the tidal Cape Fear River, approximately 2 miles (3 km) inland from the Atlantic Ocean. North Carolina Highway 211 enters the city from the north as North Howe Street and travels south to one block north of the waterfront, where it turns east as East Moore Street, leading northeast to the city limits, where it turns east again as Ferry Road on its way to the western terminus of the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry across the Cape Fear River.

Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Colleges Southport NC

Selecting the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to commencing a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for extended periods with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional desirable skills include technical aptitude, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Tech Colleges. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are considering. This is the case whether you select an online degree or commute 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 best school for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Southport NC.