Train To Become A Sonographer Lithonia GA - How to Become an Ultrasound Tech

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Lithonia Georgia

Lithonia GA sonographer performing ultrasound Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Lithonia GA, it’s time to start the procedure of picking a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the appropriate training to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you research each program so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? A number of potential students will begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost must be considered when making a decision, but there are other important factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are offered.

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Sonographer Job Summary

Lithonia GA ultrasound tech with patient There are various 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 implement diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Lithonia GA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily work duties of an ultrasound tech may consist of:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

Lithonia GA ultrasound technician performing sonography Ultrasound tech enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually take around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to complete. Another option for those 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 relevant health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that almost all sonographer schools do have a clinical training component as part of their course of study. It often may be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous schools organize through Lithonia GA clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the licensing or certification requirements in Georgia or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Schools

student attending online sonography class in Lithonia GA As previously mentioned, nearly all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at a sponsored off campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Lithonia GA hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the balance of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Lithonia home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less expensive than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just as with every sonographer school you are reviewing, verify that the online school you choose is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools

Questions to ask Lithonia GA ultrasound technician schools When you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You may first want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Lithonia GA area. Naturally location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification as well. But there are additional things that you must also take into account, for instance if the schools 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 program before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 undergone a detailed evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies 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 securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Lithonia GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the sonogram tech programs you are interested in have relationships with Lithonia GA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Lithonia health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask 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 sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Lithonia GA home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally 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 far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the ultrasound tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Lithonia GA area, make sure 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 have 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.

Train To Become A Sonographer Lithonia Georgia

Lithonia GA mother holding sonogram Selecting the right ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a vital first step to initiating a fulfilling new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for prolonged periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional desirable skills include technical aptitude, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Train To Become A Sonographer and wanting more information on Medical Sonography Programs. However, as we have covered in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing. This holds 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 can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Lithonia GA.

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Lithonia, Georgia

"Lithonia" means "city/town of stone". Lithonia is in the heart of the Georgian granite-quarrying and viewing region, hence the name of the town, from the Greek λίθος lithos, for stone. The huge nearby granite dome, Stone Mountain, is composed largely of a rock called Lithonia gneiss, a form of granite. The area has a history of rock quarries. The mines were served by the Georgia Railroad and Atlanta, Stone Mountain & Lithonia Railway. Some of the rock quarries have been converted to parkland and the rail lines to rail-trail.

Lithonia is located in southeastern DeKalb County at 33°42′46″N 84°6′21″W / 33.71278°N 84.10583°W / 33.71278; -84.10583 (33.712658, -84.105897).[6]Interstate 20 passes just south of the community, with access from Exits 74 and 75. Lithonia is 18 miles (29 km) east of the center of Atlanta. Some areas in extreme southern Gwinnett County use a Lithonia postal address near the county line.

In 1805, Lithonia began as a small crossroads settlement of farmers. The town grew with the coming of the Atlanta Augusta Railroad in 1845, which allowed the granite quarrying industry in the area to flourish.[7]