Ultrasound School Redmond WA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Redmond Washington

Redmond WA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Redmond WA, the next step is to begin the process of choosing a college. First, you must find the ideal program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do require that ultrasound techs 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 in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? A number of prospective students will begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost should be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other critical factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internships. These and additional qualifications will be covered more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Sonogram Tech Job Description

Redmond WA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Redmond WA hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily work functions of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Preserving records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining need for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly evaluate the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Offered

Redmond WA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician students have the choice to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to finalize. Another option for those who have already earned a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained 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 just 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to bear in mind is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many colleges organize with Redmond WA hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in Washington or whatever state you choose to work in.

Online Sonogram Tech Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Redmond WA As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram technician colleges have a practical requirement 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 approved off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Redmond WA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Redmond home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online programs are often less expensive than on campus options. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But similarly as with every sonographer college you are looking at, confirm that the online school you choose is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly crucial for certification, licensing and job placement (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 an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools

Questions to ask Redmond WA ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician colleges. You may first want to choose whether you will access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Redmond WA area. Certainly location will be important if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional variables that you must also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are some questions that you need ask each sonographer program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? Most ultrasound technician colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among 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 gone through a detailed review of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also obtain 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. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Redmond WA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the sonogram technician programs you are assessing have partnerships with Redmond WA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Redmond health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing 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 great relationships with Washington healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Redmond WA home. Students who have opted to attend online classes 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically 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 probably want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the ultrasound tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Redmond WA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Redmond WA?

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

Redmond, Washington

Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located 16 miles (26 km) east of Seattle. The population was 64,291 in a 2017 census estimate. Redmond is commonly recognized as the home of Microsoft and Nintendo of America. With an annual bike race on city streets and the state's only velodrome, Redmond is also known as the "Bicycle Capital of the Northwest".[4][5]

Native Americans have lived in the Redmond area for over 10,000 years, based on artifacts discovered at the Redmond Town Center archaeological site and Marymoor Prehistoric Indian Site.[6][7] The first European settlers arrived in the 1870s. Luke McRedmond filed a Homestead Act claim for land next to the Sammamish Slough on September 9, 1870, and the following year Warren Perrigo took up land adjacent to him. The rivers and streams had so many salmon that the settlement was initially named Salmonberg. More settlers came, and with the establishment of the first post office in 1881, the name of the community was changed to Melrose. The new name was derived from the Perrigos' successful inn, Melrose House, which upset McRedmond. After becoming postmaster, he successfully petitioned to have the name changed to Redmond in 1883.[8]

The abundant forests and fish of Redmond provided jobs for loggers and fishermen and with those jobs came demand for goods and services, bringing in merchants. The logging industry expanded significantly in 1889 when Seattle Lake Shore & Eastern Railway built a station in the center of town. The first plat for Redmond was filed on May 11, 1891, encompassing much of the area now known as downtown. After reaching the necessary population of 300, Redmond was incorporated on December 31, 1912.[8]

Redmond experienced an economic downturn in the 1920s. Prohibition forced saloons to close, cutting off a large portion of the city's tax base. The forests were declining after heavy logging, causing lumber mills to shut down. The deforested land was suitable for farming. Agriculture became Redmond's primary business, keeping residents fed during the Great Depression. When the U.S. entered World War II, shipyard jobs and other wartime work came to Redmond.[citation needed]

Find the Right Ultrasound School Redmond WA

Picking the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is an important first step to initiating a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for prolonged periods and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional helpful skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound School. However, as we have covered in this post, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you choose an online program or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your objective to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Redmond WA.