How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Bangor Maine
Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Bangor ME, it’s time to begin the procedure of choosing a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the proper training to become a qualified professional. And since a number of states do mandate that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s very important that you research each school so that you can assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one start? Many potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be addressed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are available.
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Ultrasound Technician Occupation Description
There are several acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. While a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Bangor ME hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job tasks of a sonogram tech can consist of:
- Preserving records of patient medical 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 making them comfortable
- Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and determining necessity for additional testing
Ultrasound techs must routinely evaluate 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 degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Sonogram Tech Degrees Offered
Ultrasound technician students have the option to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve around 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 4 years to complete. Another alternative 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 medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that almost all sonographer schools do have a practical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which many colleges organize with Bangor ME clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing requirements in Maine or whichever state you choose to practice in.
Online Ultrasound Technician Classes
As aforementioned, nearly all sonogram technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on campus lab or at an authorized off-campus facility. Practical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local Bangor ME outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the rest of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Bangor home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less expensive than on campus options. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech program you are considering, verify that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.
Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs
After you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Bangor ME area. Certainly location will be important if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional factors that you must also take into consideration, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.
Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? Most sonogram technician schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative 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 course materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Bangor ME health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram technician schools you are reviewing have partnerships with Bangor ME clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Bangor healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the sonographer schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Bangor ME home. Individuals 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 concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the ultrasound tech school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Bangor ME area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.
Sonogram Technician Programs Bangor Maine
Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a vital first step to initiating a gratifying new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged time frames and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other helpful talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonogram Technician Programs and wanting more information on Ultrasound Technician Vocational Schools. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This holds true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to the college 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 alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as an sonographer in Bangor ME.
More Ultrasound Locations in Maine
Bangor, Maine
Bangor (/ˈbæŋɡɔːr/ BANG-gor) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine, and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 33,039, while the Bangor metropolitan area has a population of 153,746.
Modern Bangor was established in the mid-1800s with the lumber and shipbuilding industries. Lying on the Penobscot River, logs could be floated downstream from the Maine North Woods and processed at the city's water-powered sawmills, then shipped from Bangor's port to the Atlantic Ocean 30 miles downstream, and from there to any port in the world. Evidence of this is still visible in the lumber barons' elaborate Greek Revival and Victorian mansions and the 31 foot high statue of Paul Bunyan. Today, Bangor's economy is based on services and retail, healthcare, and education.
Bangor has a port of entry at Bangor International Airport, also home to the Bangor Air National Guard Base. Historically Bangor was an important stopover on the great circle route air route between the U.S. East Coast and Europe.
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