2 Year Ultrasound Technician Program Portland CT - How to Become an Ultrasound Tech

How to Pick the Best Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Portland Connecticut

Portland CT sonographer performing ultrasound Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Portland CT, the next step is to begin the procedure of picking a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the necessary instruction to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, 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 investigate each college in order to evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Most individuals will start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other significant factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are offered.

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Sonographer Work Description

Portland CT ultrasound tech with patient There are more than one professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While many practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Portland CT clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work tasks of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining necessity for supplemental testing

Sonographers must routinely evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Portland CT ultrasound technician performing sonography Sonogram technician students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally involve about 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to finalize. Another alternative 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 require only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which many schools organize through Portland CT clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you elect to work in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Colleges

student attending online sonography class in Portland CT As aforementioned, virtually all ultrasound tech schools have a clinical requirement 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 laboratory or at an authorized off campus facility. Clinical training can often be satisfied through an internship at a local Portland CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the rest of the training and classes may be attended online in your Portland home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that continue working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less costly than on campus alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech school you are looking at, verify that the online program you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Portland CT ultrasound technician schools As soon as you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Portland CT area. Of course location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier as well. But there are other things that you must also take into account, such as if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each sonography school prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of 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 assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it might 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. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Portland CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the sonogram tech colleges you are evaluating have relationships with Portland CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Portland health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Portland CT residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Portland CT area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

2 Year Ultrasound Technician Program Portland Connecticut

Portland CT mother holding sonogram Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to commencing a rewarding new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with meeting academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for lengthy time frames and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and move heavy machines. Other desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain collected when confronted by 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 2 Year Ultrasound Technician Program and wanting more information on Prenatal Ultrasound Technician Schools. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online degree or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Portland CT.

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Portland, Connecticut

Portland is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,732 at the 2000 census. The town center is listed as a census-designated place (CDP). It is situated across the Connecticut River from Middletown. Brownstone quarried in Portland was used in the construction of Hartford's Old State House in 1796. The vast majority of the brownstone buildings in Connecticut (see College Row at Wesleyan University and the Long Walk at Trinity College) as well as the famous brownstones in New York City were built with brownstone from Portland's quarries.

The Wangunk tribe lived in the area prior to European settlement, and lived in Portland continuously throughout the settler period. Wangunk descendants still live in the area today. Their name referred to the bend in the Connecticut River which curves around half of the town's perimeter.[1]

The first European settlers came to Portland in the 1690s. They were attracted by brownstone, which was used both for construction and for gravestones. Proximity to the river meant that the stone could be transported far and wide, and the Portland brownstone quarries supplied to New York, Boston and even San Francisco, Canada and England. By the 1850s, more than 1,500 people were employed in the quarry industry. More than 25 ships transported the stone. By the 1850s, shipbuilding became more important as an industry, and the economic center of town shifted toward the Gildersleeve area. Immigrants from Ireland, then Sweden, then (to a lesser extent) Italy came to town to work the quarries.[1]