How to Select the Right Sonogram Tech College near South Pasadena California
Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near South Pasadena CA, it’s time to start the procedure of selecting a college. First, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a qualified professional. And because some states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you research each program so that you can evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one start? Most individuals will begin by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost must be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other important factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training options that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Sonogram Tech Occupation Summary
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 carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in South Pasadena CA hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily job functions of an ultrasound tech may include:
- Maintaining records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and recalibrating them
- Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and identifying need for additional testing
Sonographers must frequently gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Sonogram Tech Degrees Available
Ultrasound tech enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to complete. Another alternative for individuals 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 health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which numerous schools set up through South Pasadena CA clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to comply with the certification or licensing requirements in California or whatever state you elect to practice in.
Sonographer Online Schools
As previously mentioned, virtually all sonogram tech colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off campus facility. Practical training can often be satisfied by means of an internship at a local South Pasadena CA hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your South Pasadena home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online colleges are many times more affordable than on-campus options. Costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased also. But just as with any sonography program you are considering, check that the online school you select is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs
Now that you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the procedure of assessing and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the South Pasadena CA area. Naturally location will be important if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are several questions that you need ask each sonographer school prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous South Pasadena CA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the ultrasound tech colleges you are reviewing have relationships with South Pasadena CA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the South Pasadena health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with California healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their South Pasadena CA residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble 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 choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at 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 final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the South Pasadena CA 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 may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs South Pasadena California
Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a vital first step to commencing a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for extended time frames with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Other beneficial talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs and wanting more information on Ultrasound Tech Courses. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing. This holds true whether you select an online program or travel 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 alternatives until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in South Pasadena CA.
More Ultrasound Locations in California
South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 25,619, up from 24,292 at the 2000 census. It is located in the West San Gabriel Valley. It is 3.42 square miles in area and lies between the much larger city of Pasadena, of which it was once a part, and the metropolis of Los Angeles.[11] South Pasadena is the oldest self-builder of floats in the historic Tournament of Roses Parade.[12]
The original inhabitants of South Pasadena and surrounding areas were members of the Native American Hahamog-na tribe, a branch of the Tongva Nation (part of the Shoshone language group) that occupied the Los Angeles Basin. The Tongva name for the area that covers modern-day South Pasadena and part of Pasadena was Akuvranga. Tongva dwellings lined the Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County) in South Pasadena and south to where it joins the Los Angeles River and along other natural waterways in the city. They lived in thatched, dome-shape lodges characteristic for their use of carved wood decorations. For food, they lived on a diet of corn meal, acorns, seeds and herbs, fish, venison, berries, fruits and other small animals. They traded for ocean fish with the coastal Tongva on a daily basis. They made cooking vessels from steatite soapstone from Catalina Island. South Pasadena also has a strong claim to having the oldest and most historic sites in the San Gabriel Valley. For many centuries, its adjacency to a natural fording place along the Arroyo Seco had served as a gateway to travel and commerce for aboriginal peoples here and along the coast. It was here that Hahamognas greeted Portola and the missionaries who later established the San Gabriel Mission a few miles to the east.[13]
The initial buildings on the Rancho San Pascual were built on the land which eventually became the cities of Pasadena, South Pasadena and Altadena. The first of these adobe structures became headquarters for General Flores and his staff in 1847 where they agreed to surrender to American forces, ending Mexican Colonial rule in California. In 1875, the landowners of the area encompassing present-day Pasadena and South Pasadena voted to rename their association, Pasadena.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2100
185 Reviews 
68 Reviews 
114 Reviews 
46 Reviews 
55 Reviews 
36 Reviews 
129 Reviews 
83 Reviews 
244 Reviews 
164 Reviews 