Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Durham CT - How to Become an Ultrasound Tech

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Durham Connecticut

Durham CT sonographer performing ultrasound Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Durham CT, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the necessary education to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do require that sonographers 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 extremely important that you research each school in order to assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one start? Many individuals will start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional critical factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internships. These and additional qualifications will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are available.

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Ultrasound Tech Work Description

Durham CT ultrasound tech with patient There are more than one acceptable 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 description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Durham CT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work functions of a sonogram technician can consist of:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying need for further testing

Sonographers must routinely gauge the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Offered

Durham CT ultrasound technician performing sonography Ultrasound tech enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually take about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to complete. Another option for those who have previously received 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 require just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that most sonographer schools do have a clinical 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 organize through Durham CT hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you decide to work in.

Online Sonographer Classes

student attending online sonography class in Durham CT As aforementioned, nearly all sonogram technician schools have a practical component to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Durham CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the rest of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Durham home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online programs are many times less costly than traditional alternatives. Expenses for commuting and study materials 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. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school could be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Sonogram Tech Programs

Questions to ask Durham CT ultrasound technician schools As soon as you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Durham CT area. Clearly location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification also. But there are other things that you should also take into consideration, such as if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonography school before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Colleges Accredited? Most ultrasound technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it may also obtain 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 ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Durham CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have partnerships with Durham CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Durham medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Durham CT residence. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Durham CT area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Durham Connecticut

Durham CT mother holding sonogram Selecting the right sonographer degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to embarking on a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for lengthy periods and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machines. Additional desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay collected when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree and wanting more information on Ultrasound Training Program. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are multiple questions that you should ask each program you are considering. This is the case whether you choose an online degree or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each school, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can achieve your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Durham CT.

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Durham, Connecticut

Durham is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. Durham is a former farming village on the Coginchaug River in central Connecticut. The population was 7,388 at the 2010 census. Every autumn, the town hosts the Durham Fair, the largest volunteer agricultural fair in New England.

The Durham town center is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place in the 2000 census. The core of the town center has also been listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.8 square miles (62 km2), of which, 23.6 square miles (61 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (40 ha or 0.67%) is water. The town center CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16 km2). 6.3 square miles (16 km2) of it is land and 0.16% is water.