Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools Kittery ME - How to Become an Ultrasound Tech

How to Choose the Right Sonogram Tech School near Kittery Maine

Kittery ME sonographer performing ultrasound Since you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Kittery ME, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a school. To begin with, you must find the ideal program that will provide the necessary training to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each school in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? A number of students will begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost need to be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are available.

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Sonographer Job Summary

Kittery ME ultrasound tech with patient There are various 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 function, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though many work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Kittery ME hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job duties of a sonogram technician may involve:

Maintaining records of patient medical 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
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Offered

Kittery ME ultrasound technician performing sonography Ultrasound technician students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require 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 individuals 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 related health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a clinical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges set up through Kittery ME clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing requirements in Maine or whatever state you decide to work in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Programs

student attending online sonography class in Kittery ME As aforementioned, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Kittery ME outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the balance of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Kittery home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. In addition online schools are often more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just as with every sonographer school you are considering, check that the online school 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 could be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools

Questions to ask Kittery ME ultrasound technician schools Now that you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Kittery ME area. Clearly location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, for example if the programs are accredited and if they provide internship programs. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are a few questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech school prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? Most ultrasound technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also earn 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. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Kittery ME health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are interested in have relationships with Kittery ME hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Kittery health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Kittery ME residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average 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 a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the sonographer school you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Kittery ME area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools Kittery Maine

Kittery ME mother holding sonogram Selecting the right ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to initiating a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for prolonged durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional preferred talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep collected when faced with an angry or anxious 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 Schools and wanting more information on Ultrasound Technologist Program. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you choose an online program or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right 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, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Kittery ME.

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Kittery, Maine

Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, United States. Home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island, Kittery includes Badger's Island, the seaside district of Kittery Point, and part of the Isles of Shoals. The town is a tourist destination known for its many outlet stores.

Kittery is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The town's population was 9,490 at the 2010 census. Kittery may be the namesake of William Billings 1783 anthem "Kittery", which is printed in the Shenandoah Harmony and Missouri Harmony shape note tunebooks, but because the song was published after the incorporation of the town, this is debated.

English settlement around the natural harbor of the Piscataqua River estuary began about 1623. By 1632 it was protected by Fort William and Mary on today's New Hampshire side of the river; in 1689 defensive works that later became Fort McClary in Kittery Point were added on today's Maine side to the north.