How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician College near Auburn Hills Michigan
Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Auburn Hills MI, it’s time to start the procedure of picking a school. First, you need to find the right program that will provide the appropriate instruction to become a qualified professional. And because some states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each school so that you can assess and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? Many students will begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other important factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be addressed more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Ultrasound Tech Work Description
There are multiple professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Auburn Hills MI clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily job tasks of an ultrasound technician can consist of:
- Keeping records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
- Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Evaluating results and determining necessity for additional testing
Sonographers must routinely assess the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.
Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered
Ultrasound technician enrollees have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another option 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 instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that most sonographer programs do have a clinical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up through Auburn Hills MI clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in Michigan or whichever state you elect to work in.
Ultrasound Tech Online Colleges
As aforementioned, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either carried out in an on campus lab or at an authorized off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local Auburn Hills MI outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the balance of the classes and training can be attended online in your Auburn Hills home. This is particularly convenient for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online colleges are often less costly than on-campus alternatives. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just as with every sonography program you are looking at, confirm that the online school you select is accredited. Among 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 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 online classes may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Ultrasound Tech Schools
After you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Auburn Hills MI area. Naturally location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier also. But there are additional things that you should also take into account, such as if the programs 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, below are a few questions that you need ask each sonography college before deciding.
Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of ultrasound tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Auburn Hills MI employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram technician programs you are reviewing have relationships with Auburn Hills MI clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Auburn Hills healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Michigan healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Auburn Hills MI residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Auburn Hills MI area, verify that they are available. 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 need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Ultrasound Technician Course Requirements Auburn Hills Michigan
Enrolling in the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to initiating a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for lengthy time frames and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay 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 Ultrasound Technician Course Requirements and wanting more information on Associate Degree In Diagnostic Medical Sonography Online. However, as we have covered in this article, there are multiple questions that you should ask each program you are considering. This is the case 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 will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your objective to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Auburn Hills MI.
More Ultrasound Locations in Michigan
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills (formerly Pontiac Township) is a city in Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census.[9] It is home to the U.S. headquarters of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, The Palace of Auburn Hills (former home of the Detroit Pistons and several other teams), and Oakland University.
In 1908, automobile pioneer John Dodge bought a farmhouse 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Auburn Heights to use as his country retreat. His oldest child, Winifred Dodge, married real estate baron Wesson Seyburn, who built his own country retreat 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of Auburn Heights. The estate included hunting land, dog kennels, a swimming pool, horse stables, and a 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) Colonial Revival house. Pontiac Township purchased the estate in 1976, and adapted the buildings for government use. Today, it is known as the Auburn Hills Civic Center.
The first use of the name "Auburn Hills," in 1964, was by Oakland Community College. They named their campus (a former Nike missile base) at Featherstone and Squirrel roads for the town and the hilly terrain in the area. Besides Oakland Community College, three other colleges, Oakland University, Baker College, and Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School have campuses partially within the city limits.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 100
3 Reviews 
3 Reviews 3 Reviews 
30 Reviews 2 Reviews 1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
47 Reviews 