Diagnostic Medical Sonography Colleges Portland OR - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Portland Oregon

Portland OR ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Portland OR, the next step is to begin the procedure of selecting a college. First, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the necessary education to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each college so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? Most students will begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional critical factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internships. These and other qualifiers will be covered more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.

Sonographer Work Description

Portland OR sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job function, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Portland OR hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily job duties of an ultrasound technician can involve:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

Portland OR ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the option to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have previously earned 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 sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their course of study. It often may be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges organize through Portland OR hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing requirements in Oregon or whichever state you choose to work in.

Sonographer Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Portland OR As earlier discussed, nearly all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can earn 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. Clinical training can typically be fulfilled through an internship at a local Portland OR hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the remainder of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Portland home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are frequently more affordable than on-campus options. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But similarly as with every sonography school you are looking at, make sure that the online school you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Portland OR ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Portland OR area. Clearly location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification also. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, for example if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internships. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations 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 rigorous assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also receive 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. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Portland OR health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the sonogram technician programs you are assessing have partnerships with Portland OR clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional connections in the Portland healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Oregon healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Portland OR residence. Individuals who have chosen 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. 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 may 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.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit 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 monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the sonographer college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Portland OR area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol 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 Portland OR?

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

Portland, Oregon

Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Multnomah County. It is a major port in the Willamette Valley region of the Pacific Northwest, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. The city covers 145 square miles (380 square kilometers) and had an estimated population of 647,805 in 2017,[9] making it the 26th most populous city in the United States, and the second-most populous in the Pacific Northwest.[10] Approximately 2,424,955 people live in the Portland metropolitan statistical area (MSA), making it the 25th most populous MSA in the United States. Its Combined Statistical Area (CSA) ranks 18th with a population of 3,160,488. Roughly 60% of Oregon's population resides within the Portland metropolitan area.[a]

Named after Portland, Maine,[11] the Oregon settlement began to be populated in the 1830s near the end of the Oregon Trail. Its water access provided convenient transportation of goods, and the timber industry was a major force in the city's early economy. At the turn of the 20th century, the city had a reputation as one of the most dangerous port cities in the world, a hub for organized crime and racketeering. After the city's economy experienced an industrial boom during World War II, its hard-edged reputation began to dissipate. Beginning in the 1960s,[12] Portland became noted for its growing progressive political values, earning it a reputation as a bastion of counterculture.[13]

The city operates with a commission-based government guided by a mayor and four commissioners as well as Metro, the only directly elected metropolitan planning organization in the United States.[14] The city government is notable for its land-use planning and investment in public transportation.[15] Portland is frequently recognized as one of the world's most environmentally conscious cities because of its high walkability, large community of bicyclists, farm-to-table dining, expansive network of public transportation options, and over 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) of public parks.[16] Its climate is marked by warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. This climate is ideal for growing roses, and Portland has been called the "City of Roses" for over a century.[17][18]

During the prehistoric period, the land that would become Portland was flooded after the collapse of glacial dams from Lake Missoula, in what would later become Montana. These massive floods occurred during the last ice age and filled the Willamette Valley with 300 to 400 feet (91 to 122 m) of water.[19]

Find the Right Diagnostic Medical Sonography Colleges Portland OR

Picking the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is an important first step to launching a fulfilling new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for lengthy periods with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Colleges. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each college you are considering. This holds true whether you enroll in an online program 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 proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Portland OR.