How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Fountain City Indiana
Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Fountain City IN, it’s time to begin the process of choosing a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the appropriate training to become a qualified professional. And because some states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you research each school in order to assess and compare your options. But just where does one start? Most students will start by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training options that are offered.
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Ultrasound Technician Job Summary
There are more than one 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 description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority work in Fountain City IN clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work duties of an ultrasound tech may consist of:
- Keeping records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Preparing the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
- Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and determining need for supplemental testing
Ultrasound techs must frequently gauge the performance and safety of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.
Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Offered
Ultrasound technician students have the choice to acquire either an Associate Degree 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 individuals who have previously obtained 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 instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that most ultrasound technician programs do have a clinical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges organize with Fountain City IN clinics and hospitals. 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 Indiana or whichever state you elect to practice in.
Ultrasound Tech Online Classes
As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either carried out in an on campus laboratory or at an approved off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Fountain City IN hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the remainder of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Fountain City home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are many times less costly than on-campus alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just as with every sonography program you are looking at, check that the online school you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal option for you.
Topics to Ask Sonography Programs
Once you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of assessing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Fountain City IN area. Of course location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech school prior to making a decision.
Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to verify that the program and school 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Fountain City IN employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level positions.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram technician schools you are evaluating have partnerships with Fountain City IN hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Fountain City healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Indiana healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Fountain City IN residence. Individuals who have decided 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 importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Fountain City IN area, check 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 enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.
Sonography Schools Near Me Fountain City Indiana
Picking the right sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to embarking on a gratifying new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to satisfying academic requirements, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended periods and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other beneficial skills include technical aptitude, the ability to keep calm 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 Sonography Schools Near Me and wanting more information on Accredited Ultrasound Programs. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are considering. This holds true whether you enroll in an online degree or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each college, 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, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Fountain City IN.
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2010 Fountain City Classic
The 2010 Fountain City Classic was the 21st annual Fountain City Classic American football game featuring Fort Valley State University and Albany State University, two of Georgia's historically black universities. The game was played at A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia on November 6, 2010.
Leading up to the 2010 Classic, both teams achieved high hopes during the 2010 season. Prior to the game, the Fort Valley State University Wildcats had an 8-1 overall record (7-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) and were second in the conference and seventh in NCAA Division II Super Regional Two. The Albany State University Golden Rams maintained an undefeated season (a 9-0 overall record, 8-0 in the conference) and were ranked first in both the conference and the Super Regional Two. In addition to Classic bragging rights, the winner of the game also would win the 2010 Southern Intercollegiate title and represent the conference in the Pioneer Bowl on December 4, 2010.[1]
The 2010 Classic was billed “The Showdown before Sundown.” Wildcat senior offensive center Collin Cordell used the Fountain City Classic Luncheon earlier in the Classic week as the forum to guarantee that at the end of Saturday’s duel the Wildcats would be the team left standing. Along with his teammates, Cordell and the Wildcats delivered on that guarantee. For the previous six seasons, Albany State had won the annual rivalry, and they held an overall Fountain City Classic won-loss record of 15-4 over Fort Valley State. However, in the previous match-up, the Wildcats upset Albany State with a blowout 35-13 victory on November 7, 2009. With the victory, the Wildcats snapped the Golden Rams seven straight Classic victories head-to-head matchups and earned their first win over Albany State since 2001.[1]
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