How to Find the Right Sonogram Technician School near Athens Georgia
Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Athens GA, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a college. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the proper education to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do require that sonographers 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 extremely important that you research each college so that you can assess and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? A number of prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training options that are offered.
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Sonographer Occupation Summary
There are several acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Athens GA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily job tasks of an ultrasound technician can include:
- Preserving records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
- Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and determining necessity for supplemental testing
Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education training on an ongoing basis.
Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available
Ultrasound tech enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have already earned 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 medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a clinical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Athens GA clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification prerequisites in Georgia or whichever state you decide to work in.
Online Ultrasound Tech Colleges
As aforementioned, nearly all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus laboratory or at an approved off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Athens GA hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the remainder of the classes and training may be attended online in your Athens home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while earning their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently less expensive than on campus alternatives. Expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just as with every sonographer college you are looking at, verify that the online school you choose is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly crucial for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Sonography Schools
When you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Athens GA area. Naturally location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification also. But there are other factors that you should also take into consideration, such as if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of ultrasound tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Athens GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the ultrasound tech colleges you are reviewing have relationships with Athens GA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Athens healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the sonographer programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Athens GA home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally 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 keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have 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 Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Athens GA area, make sure 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 procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Associates Degree In Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools Athens Georgia
Enrolling in the right sonographer degree or certificate program is an important first step to launching a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for extended time frames with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain levelheaded 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 Associates Degree In Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools and wanting more information on Online Ultrasound Course. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are considering. This is true whether you select an online program or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can assess each program, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can realize your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Athens GA.
More Ultrasound Locations in Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens, officially Athens–Clarke County, is a consolidated city–county and college town in the U.S. state of Georgia. Athens lies about 70 mi (113 km) northeast of downtown Atlanta, the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, being in the top ten of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation.[4] The University of Georgia, the state's flagship public university and a R1 research institution, is in the city and contributed to its initial growth. In 1991, after a vote the preceding year, the original City of Athens abandoned its charter to form a unified government with Clarke County, referred to jointly as Athens–Clarke County.[5] As of 2017[update], the U.S. Census Bureau's estimated population of the consolidated city-county (all of Clarke County except Winterville and a portion of Bogart) was 125,691; the entire county including Winterville and Bogart had a population of 127,064.[6] Athens is the sixth-largest city in Georgia, and the principal city of the Athens metropolitan area,[7] which had a 2017 estimated population of 209,271, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.[8] It is a component of the larger Atlanta–Athens–Clarke County–Sandy Springs Combined Statistical Area, a trading area.[9] The city is dominated by a pervasive student culture and music scene centered on downtown Athens, next to the University of Georgia's North Campus.[10] Major music acts associated with Athens include numerous alternative rock bands such as R.E.M., the B-52's, Widespread Panic, and Neutral Milk Hotel. The city is also known as a recording site for such groups as the Atlanta-based Indigo Girls.
In the late 18th century, a trading settlement on the banks of the Oconee River called Cedar Shoals stood where Athens is today. On January 27, 1785, the Georgia General Assembly granted a charter by Abraham Baldwin for the University of Georgia as the first state-supported university. Sixteen years later, in 1801, a committee from the university's board of trustees selected a site for the university on a hill above Cedar Shoals, in what was then Jackson County. On July 25, John Milledge, one of the trustees and later governor of Georgia, bought 633 acres (256 ha) from Daniel Easley and donated it to the university. Milledge named the surrounding area Athens after the city that was home to the Platonic Academy of Plato and Aristotle in Greece.[11]
The first buildings on the University of Georgia campus were made from logs. The town grew as lots adjacent to the college were sold to raise money for the additional construction of the school. By the time the first class graduated from the university in 1804, Athens consisted of three homes, three stores, and a few other buildings facing Front Street, now known as Broad Street. Completed in 1806 and named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin College was the first permanent structure of the University of Georgia and of the city of Athens. This brick building is now known as Old College.
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