Accredited Online Ultrasound Tech Programs Newport News VA

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Newport News Virginia

Newport News VA ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Newport News VA, it’s time to start the process of selecting a school. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the appropriate instruction 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 to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each college so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one start? Many students will begin by searching for schools that are within driving 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 critical factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internships. These and additional qualifications will be addressed more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.

Sonographer Occupation Description

Newport News VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several 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 primary job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Newport News VA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily job duties of an ultrasound technician may involve:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and details 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
Evaluating results and determining need for further testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely assess the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Newport News VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to finish. Another option for individuals who have already 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 relevant health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a clinical training component as part of their course of study. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many schools sponsor with Newport News VA clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the certification or licensing requirements in Virginia or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Newport News VA As previously mentioned, almost all sonogram tech colleges have a practical component to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be satisfied through an internship at a local Newport News VA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the rest of the classes and training can be attended online in your Newport News home. This is especially convenient for those students that keep working while earning their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Costs for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just as with any sonographer school you are considering, verify that the online school you ultimately pick 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 finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask Newport News VA ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Newport News VA area. Certainly location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into account, for example if the programs are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to confirm 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Newport News VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are evaluating have partnerships with Newport News VA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Newport News medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable 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 lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Newport News VA home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble 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 program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the sonographer school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Newport News VA area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Newport News VA?

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

Newport News, Virginia

Newport News is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 180,719.[4] In 2013, the population was estimated to be 183,412,[5] making it the fifth-most populous city in Virginia.

Newport News is included in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the northern shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News Point on the harbor of Hampton Roads. The area now known as Newport News was once a part of Warwick County. Warwick County was one of the eight original shires of Virginia, formed by the House of Burgesses in the British Colony of Virginia by order of King Charles I, in 1634. The county was largely composed of farms and undeveloped land until almost 250 years later.[citation needed]

In 1881, 15 years of explosive development began under the leadership of Collis P. Huntington, whose new Peninsula Extension of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway from Richmond opened up transportation along the Peninsula and provided a new pathway for the railroad to bring West Virginia bituminous coal to port for coastal shipping and worldwide export. With the new railroad came a terminal and coal piers where the colliers were loaded. Within a few years, Huntington and his associates also built a large shipyard. In 1896, the new incorporated town of Newport News, which had briefly replaced Denbigh as the county seat of Warwick County, had a population of 9,000. In 1958, by mutual consent by referendum, Newport News was consolidated with the former Warwick County (itself a separate city from 1952 to 1958), rejoining the two localities to approximately their pre-1896 geographic size. The more widely known name of Newport News was selected as they formed what was then Virginia's third largest independent city in population.[citation needed]

With many residents employed at the expansive Newport News Shipbuilding, the joint U.S. Air Force-U.S. Army installation at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, and other military bases and suppliers, the city's economy is very connected to the military. The location on the harbor and along the James River facilitates a large boating industry which can take advantage of its many miles of waterfront. Newport News also serves as a junction between the rails and the sea with the Newport News Marine Terminals located at the East End of the city. Served by major east-west Interstate Highway 64, it is linked to others of the cities of Hampton Roads by the circumferential Hampton Roads Beltway, which crosses the harbor on two bridge-tunnels. Part of the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is in the city limits.[citation needed]

Find the Right Accredited Online Ultrasound Tech Programs Newport News VA

Selecting the right sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to embarking on a rewarding new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for lengthy time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay levelheaded 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 Accredited Online Ultrasound Tech Programs. However, as we have covered in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each school you are looking at. This holds true whether you choose an online degree or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare 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 achieve your goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Newport News VA.