Ultrasound Courses Great Falls VA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Great Falls Virginia

Great Falls VA ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Great Falls VA, the next step is to begin the procedure of choosing a college. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will furnish the proper training to become a qualified professional. And because a number of states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each college so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? Most potential 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 taken into account when making a decision, but there are other critical factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and additional qualifiers will be covered more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Work Summary

Great Falls VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various 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 techniques on patients. Even though many work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Great Falls VA hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily work tasks of a sonogram technician may 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 testing and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently gauge the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as 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.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered

Great Falls VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician enrollees have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish. Another alternative for those who have previously obtained 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 sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous schools set up with Great Falls VA clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Virginia or whichever state you elect to work in.

Sonogram Tech Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Great Falls VA As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Clinical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Great Falls VA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the balance of the training and classes may be attended online in your Great Falls home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online programs are often less expensive than on campus options. Costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech program you are looking at, make sure that the online school you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes could be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Sonography Programs

Questions to ask Great Falls VA ultrasound tech schools Once you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you will access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Great Falls VA area. Certainly location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification as well. But there are other variables that you must also take into consideration, such as if the programs are accredited and if they sponsor internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are some questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of ultrasound tech colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies 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 an extensive review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Great Falls VA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the sonogram technician colleges you are interested in have relationships with Great Falls VA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Great Falls medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the sonographer schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Great Falls VA residence. Individuals 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 importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Great Falls VA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Great Falls VA?

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

Great Falls, Virginia

Great Falls is located at 38°59′53″N 077°17′18″W / 38.99806°N 77.28833°W / 38.99806; -77.28833 (38.9981653, −77.2883157) at an elevation of 344 feet (105 m).[3][8] Located on Virginia State Route 7 in Northern Virginia, Great Falls is 15 miles (24 km) west-northwest of downtown Washington, D.C. and 10.5 miles (16.9 km) north of Fairfax, the county seat.[9]

Great Falls lies in the Piedmont upland on the right bank of the Potomac River.[10][11] The river forms the northern and eastern border of the CDP, and several of its tributaries flow north and east through the CDP. From north to south, these include Nichols Run, Clarks Branch, and Difficult Run. Difficult Run forms the southeastern border of the CDP. Two of its tributaries, Captain Hickory Run and Piney Run, flow southeast through the southern part of the CDP.[9][11] The Great Falls of the Potomac River, the community's namesake, are on the east side of the CDP.[11]

As a suburb of Washington, D.C., Great Falls is a part of both the Washington Metropolitan Area and the larger Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. It is bordered on all sides by other Washington suburbs, including: Darnestown and Travilah, Maryland to the north, Potomac, Maryland to the east, McLean to the southeast, Wolf Trap to the south, Reston and Dranesville to the southwest, Sterling to the west, and Lowes Island to the northwest.[12]

As of the 2010 census, there were 15,427 people, 4,977 households, and 4,439 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 606.9 people per square mile (234.3/km²). There were 5,179 housing units at an average density of 203.7/sq mi (78.7/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 80.5% White, 13.5% Asian, 1.8% African American, 0.1% American Indian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 3.9% of the population.[2]

Find the Right Ultrasound Courses Great Falls VA

Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is an important first step to entering a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for extended time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay 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 Ultrasound Courses. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This holds true whether you enroll in an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can assess each school, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Great Falls VA.