How to Select the Best Sonogram Technician Training Program near Dunedin Florida
Now that you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Dunedin FL, it’s time to begin the procedure of picking a school. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each college so that you can evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Most students will start by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location must be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other important factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education options that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Ultrasound Tech Job Description
There are more than one acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Dunedin FL clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job duties of a sonogram technician can consist of:
- Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
- Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and determining need for further testing
Sonographers must routinely assess 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 current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.
Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Available
Ultrasound technician students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to finish. Another alternative for those who have already received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a related health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to consider is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges organize through Dunedin FL hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Florida or whatever state you decide to practice in.
Online Ultrasound Technician Colleges
As aforementioned, almost all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although 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. Practical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local Dunedin FL outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the rest of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Dunedin home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. In addition online schools are frequently less expensive than on-campus options. Expenditures for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But similarly as with any sonography program you are reviewing, verify that the online program you select 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 job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree could be the right choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs
Once you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Dunedin FL 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 other things that you should also take into account, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech school prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed evaluation of their instructors and course 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 ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Dunedin FL health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.
Are Internships Offered? Ask if the ultrasound technician colleges you are interested in have associations with Dunedin FL hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to receive hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Dunedin medical community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Florida healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Dunedin FL residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might 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.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk 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 finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Dunedin FL area, confirm that they are available. 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, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Ultrasound Tech Online Course Dunedin Florida
Selecting the right sonographer degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to commencing a rewarding new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer 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 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 machinery. Other beneficial skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep levelheaded when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Tech Online Course and wanting more information on Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing. This is true whether you select an online degree or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Dunedin FL.
More Ultrasound Locations in Florida
Dunedin, Florida
Dunedin /dəˈniːdɪn/ is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The population was 35,321 at the 2010 census.[5]
Dunedin is home to several beaches, including Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island, and Caladesi Island State Park, which is consistently rated among the best beaches in the world.[6] Dunedin is one of the few open waterfront communities from Sarasota to Cedar Key where buildings do not completely obscure the view of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico beyond; a 1-mile (1.6 km) stretch of Edgewater Drive (also known as Alternate US 19) south of downtown offers views of St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Beach, and Caladesi Island. Downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach are a 6-mile (10 km) drive south on Edgewater.
The downtown business district is notable for its absence of large commercial signage, corporate franchise restaurants or chain retail stores. The Pinellas Trail, a 39-mile-long (63 km) bicycle and pedestrian trail that traverses all of Pinellas County, bisects downtown Dunedin. A large portion of the trail lies on the former roadbed of the Orange Belt Railway, the first railroad in Pinellas County, which arrived in 1888.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 140
19 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
12 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
10 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
7 Reviews 2 Reviews 