How to Pick the Right Sonogram Tech College near Des Plaines Illinois
Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Des Plaines IL, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the proper education to become a skilled 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 preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you research each college in order to evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? Many individuals will begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be covered more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Sonographer Work Description
There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Des Plaines IL clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily work functions of an ultrasound technician may consist of:
- Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and recalibrating them
- Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Evaluating results and determining necessity for supplemental testing
Sonographers must regularly assess the performance and safety of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.
Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Offered
Sonogram technician students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to finalize. Another option for those who have previously 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 require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that almost all sonographer programs do have a practical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many colleges set up with Des Plaines IL clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in Illinois or whichever state you elect to practice in.
Ultrasound Technician Online Schools
As aforementioned, almost all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at an approved off campus facility. Practical training can usually be fulfilled through an internship at a local Des Plaines IL outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the remainder of the training and classes can be attended online in your Des Plaines home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are many times less expensive than traditional options. Costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech program you are reviewing, check that the online program you enroll in 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 dedicated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Sonography Schools
Once you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Des Plaines IL area. Naturally location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional factors that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they provide internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are some questions that you need ask each sonographer college before deciding.
Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Des Plaines IL employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the sonogram technician programs you are evaluating have relationships with Des Plaines IL clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Des Plaines medical community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Illinois healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Des Plaines IL home. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally 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 way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.
Does the School 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 essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Des Plaines IL area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Des Plaines Illinois
Choosing the right sonographer certificate or degree program is a vital first step to starting a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to meeting academic standards, you must be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for extended time frames and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machinery. Additional beneficial talents include technical proficiency, the ability to remain calm when faced with 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 Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree and wanting more information on Ultrasound Training Program. However, as we have covered in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at. This holds true whether you enroll in an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each program, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Des Plaines IL.
More Ultrasound Locations in Illinois
Des Plaines, Illinois
Des Plaines /dɪs ˈpleɪnz/ is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its population was 58,364 at the 2010 census.[5] The city is a suburb of Chicago and is located just north of O'Hare International Airport. It is situated on and is named after the Des Plaines River, which runs through the city just east of its downtown area.
Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Ojibwe (Chippewa) Native American tribes inhabited the Des Plaines River Valley prior to Europeans' arrival. When French explorers and missionaries arrived in the 1600s in what was then the Illinois Country of New France, they named the waterway La Rivière des Plaines (English translation: "River of the Plane Tree") as they felt that trees on the river resembled the European plane trees. The first white settlers came from the eastern United States in 1833,[6] after the Treaty of Chicago, followed by many German immigrants during the 1840s and '50s.[7] In the 1850s, the land in this area was purchased by the Illinois and Wisconsin Land Company along a railroad line planned between Chicago and Janesville, Wisconsin. In 1852, the developers built a steam-powered mill next to the river to cut local trees into railroad ties. Socrates Rand then bought the mill and converted it into a grist mill, which attracted local farmers. The Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad made its first stop in the area in the fall of 1854.[8]
In 1857, the Chicago, St. Paul, and Fond du Lac Railroad began running its route, stopping[citation needed] near the mill on the Des Plaines river, where a small business section had grown up. The railroad platted the prospective town of Rand at the site. In 1859, the Chicago and North Western Railway purchased the rail line, giving the train station the name "Des Plaines". In 1869, the Rand subdivision's name was changed to Des Plaines, and the village of Des Plaines was then incorporated.[9]
Business Results 1 - 10 of 596
55 Reviews 
14 Reviews 
17 Reviews 
16 Reviews 
81 Reviews 
27 Reviews 
32 Reviews 
6 Reviews 
33 Reviews 
29 Reviews 