How to Choose the Best Ultrasound Tech College near Carrollton Georgia
Now that you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Carrollton GA, the next step is to start the process of selecting a college. First, you must find the ideal program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And because some states do require that sonographers 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 assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? Most individuals will begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional important factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be covered more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Sonographer Job Summary
There are more than one 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 primary job function, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Carrollton GA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily job duties of a sonogram tech may involve:
- Maintaining records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and recalibrating them
- Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Evaluating results and identifying need for further testing
Sonographers must frequently gauge the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered
Ultrasound technician students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally involve around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another option for those who have already received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have received a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant health sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a practical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up through Carrollton GA 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 prerequisites in Georgia or whichever state you elect to practice in.
Ultrasound Tech Online Degrees
As earlier discussed, nearly all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Clinical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Carrollton GA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the rest of the training and classes can be attended online in your Carrollton home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less expensive than on campus alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But similarly as with any sonographer school you are looking at, 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 particularly significant for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools
Once you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can start the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Carrollton GA area. Naturally location will be critical if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier as well. But there are other things that you should also take into account, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are several questions that you need ask each sonography school prior to making a decision.
Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to confirm 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive review of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Carrollton GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Ask if the sonogram technician colleges you are assessing have relationships with Carrollton GA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional connections in the Carrollton healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the sonographer schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Carrollton GA home. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep 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 need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher 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 an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Carrollton GA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Ultrasound Technician Schools Carrollton Georgia
Picking the right sonographer degree or certificate program is an important first step to commencing a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to satisfying academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended time frames and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Technician Schools and wanting more information on Sonogram Technician Programs. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you select an online degree or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can compare each program, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can realize your objective to practice as an sonographer in Carrollton GA.
More Ultrasound Locations in Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia is a city in the north west region of Georgia, about 45 miles (72 km) west of Atlanta near the Alabama state line. It is the county seat of Carroll County,[5] which is included in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. Historically, Carrollton has been a commercial center for several mostly rural counties in both Georgia and Alabama. It is the home of the University of West Georgia and West Georgia Technical College. The 2016 United States Census estimates placed the city's population at 26,815.[6]
Carrollton is located near the center of Carroll County at 33°34′51″N 85°4′36″W / 33.58083°N 85.07667°W / 33.58083; -85.07667 (33.580912, -85.076704).[7] The Little Tallapoosa River flows through the northwestern part of the city. U.S. Route 27 passes through the city center, leading north 9 miles (14 km) to Interstate 20 in Bremen and south 42 miles (68 km) to LaGrange.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Carrollton has a total area of 22.8 square miles (59.1 km2), of which 22.3 square miles (57.7 km2) is land and 0.54 square miles (1.4 km2), or 2.37%, is water.[8]
Business Results 1 - 10 of 4
1 Reviews 
11 Reviews 
18 Reviews 
25 Reviews 