Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate Program Fairfax VA

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Fairfax Virginia

Fairfax VA ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Fairfax VA, the next step is to start the process of picking a school. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a qualified 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 preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each college so that you can assess and compare your options. But just where does one start? Most students will begin by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location must be considered when making a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internships. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Occupation Description

Fairfax VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional 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 perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Fairfax VA hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily work duties of a sonogram technician can include:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining necessity for further testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge 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 degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Fairfax VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to finalize. Another option 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 relevant medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to keep in mind is that most sonographer schools do have a practical training element as part of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many colleges set up with Fairfax VA hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing requirements in Virginia or whatever state you elect to work in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Fairfax VA As earlier discussed, virtually all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Fairfax VA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the balance of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Fairfax home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently less expensive than on campus alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech program you are reviewing, make sure that the online program you select is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Sonography Programs

Questions to ask Fairfax VA ultrasound tech schools When you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Fairfax VA area. Clearly location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other factors that you should also take into consideration, such as if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internship programs. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are a few questions that you need ask each sonographer college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of ultrasound tech colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Fairfax VA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram tech programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Fairfax VA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional connections in the Fairfax medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the sonographer schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Fairfax VA home. Those 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 importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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 Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Fairfax VA area, verify that they are available. 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 carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Fairfax VA?

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

Fairfax, Virginia

Fairfax (/ˈfɛərfæks/ FAIR-faks), colloquially known as Fairfax Courthouse, Downtown Fairfax, or Fairfax City, and officially named the City of Fairfax, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States.[3] As of the 2010 census the population was 22,565,[4] which had risen to an estimated 24,013 as of 2015.[5]

The city of Fairfax and the area immediately surrounding the historical border of the city of Fairfax, collectively designated by Fairfax County as "Fairfax", comprise the county seat of Fairfax County. The city is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as a part of Northern Virginia. The city is 17 miles (27 km) west of Washington, D.C. The Washington Metro's Orange Line serves Fairfax through its Vienna station, which is a mile northeast of the city limits. CUE Bus and Metrobus operate in Fairfax. Virginia Railway Express's Burke Centre station is situated three miles southeast of the city's boundaries. Virginia's largest public educational institution with 35,189 students in 2017 is George Mason University, which is located in unincorporated Fairfax County, along the city's southern border.[6]

The city derives its name from Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, who was awarded 5,000,000 acres (20,000 km2) of land in northern Virginia by King Charles.[7] The area that the city now encompasses was settled in the early 18th century by farmers from Virginia's Tidewater region.[8] The town of "Providence" was established on the site by an act of the state legislature in 1805.[9]

The scene of the first land battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Fairfax Court House took place here on June 1, 1861, after a Union scouting party clashed with the local militia with neither side gaining advantage. A second battle took place here two years later on June 27, 1863, where Union troops were defeated. This battle delayed the movements of Confederate cavalry chief Jeb Stuart with disastrous consequences for Lee at Gettysburg a few days later.[10]

Find the Right Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate Program Fairfax VA

Selecting the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for lengthy periods and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and move heavy machinery. Additional helpful skills include technical aptitude, the ability to keep calm when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate Program. However, as we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online program or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each college, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives 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 technologist in Fairfax VA.