How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Technician School near Stonington Connecticut
Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Stonington CT, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a school. To begin with, you must find the ideal program that will furnish the proper training to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you research each school in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But exactly where does one begin? Most individuals will start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location should be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other critical factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are offered.
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Sonogram Tech Occupation Description
There are several professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Stonington CT hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily work functions of an ultrasound technician may include:
- Maintaining records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
- Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Assessing results and determining necessity for supplemental testing
Sonographers must frequently gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on an ongoing basis.
Sonogram Technician Degrees Offered
Ultrasound technician students have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish. Another alternative for individuals who have previously 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 field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training element as a portion of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which many schools sponsor through Stonington CT clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you decide to work in.
Online Sonographer Schools
As aforementioned, nearly all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Stonington CT hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the balance of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Stonington home. This is particularly convenient for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online schools are many times more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But similarly as with any sonography college you are looking at, verify that the online program 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 especially important 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 online classes may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Sonography Programs
After you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Stonington CT area. Clearly location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier also. But there are additional variables that you should also take into account, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonography college before deciding.
Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? Most ultrasound technician schools have acquired some form 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 agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive review of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. 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 help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Stonington CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level openings.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the sonogram technician programs you are reviewing have associations with Stonington CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Stonington medical community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Stonington CT residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often 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 person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on 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 opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Stonington CT area, make certain 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, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Sonographer Education Online Stonington Connecticut
Choosing the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to initiating a rewarding new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for lengthy durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep collected when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonographer Education Online and wanting more information on Ultrasound Technician Online Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing. This is true whether you select an online degree or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each school, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Stonington CT.
More Ultrasound Locations in Connecticut
Stonington, Connecticut
The town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, and Wequetequock, and the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic (the other halves being in the town of Groton). The population of the town was 18,545 at the 2010 census.[1]
The first European colonists established a trading house in the Pawcatuck section of town in 1649. The present territory of Stonington was part of lands that had belonged to the Pequot people, who referred to the areas making up Stonington as Pawcatuck (Stony Brook to the Pawcatuck River) and Mistack (Mystic River to Stony Brook). It was named "Souther Towne" or Southerton by Massachusetts in 1658, and officially became part of Connecticut in 1662 when Connecticut received its royal charter. Southerton was renamed "Mistick" in 1665,[2]:26 and finally named Stonington in 1666,[2]:36 meaning "stony town".[3]Thomas Miner, Walter Palmer, William Chesebrough, and Thomas Stanton were the founders. The town of North Stonington was set off as a parish from Stonington in 1724 and incorporated as a town in 1807.
Stonington first gained wealth in the 1790s when its harbor was home to a fleet engaged in the profitable seal hunting trade in which seals were hunted on islands off the Chilean and Patagonian coasts, and their skins were sold as fur in China.[4]
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