Sonogram Technician Degree Jenkintown PA - How to Become an Ultrasound Tech

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Technician College near Jenkintown Pennsylvania

Jenkintown PA sonographer performing ultrasound Now that you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Jenkintown PA, the next step is to start the process of choosing a college. First, you must find the ideal program that will provide the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do require that ultrasound techs 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 evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Many prospective students will start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost need to be considered when making a decision, but there are other important factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internships. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are available.

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Sonographer Work Summary

Jenkintown PA ultrasound tech with patient There are several professional 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 basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Jenkintown PA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work functions of an ultrasound tech may consist of:

Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Sonographers must regularly evaluate the performance and safety of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education training on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Available

Jenkintown PA ultrasound technician performing sonography Ultrasound technician students 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 finish dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have previously 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 medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that most sonographer colleges do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges organize through Jenkintown PA clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification prerequisites in Pennsylvania or whatever state you elect to work in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Classes

student attending online sonography class in Jenkintown PA As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram technician colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at an approved off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Jenkintown PA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the rest of the training and classes may be attended online in your Jenkintown home. This is particularly convenient for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less expensive than traditional alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just as with any sonographer college you are looking at, make sure 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 significant for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs

Questions to ask Jenkintown PA ultrasound technician schools Once you have determined the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of assessing and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You may first want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Jenkintown PA area. Naturally location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, 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 make your final selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each sonographer school prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of ultrasound tech schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 a detailed assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Jenkintown PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the ultrasound tech programs you are assessing have relationships with Jenkintown PA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Jenkintown medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Jenkintown PA residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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 type of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer 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 Jenkintown PA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Sonogram Technician Degree Jenkintown Pennsylvania

Jenkintown PA mother holding sonogram Choosing the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to initiating a fulfilling new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to satisfying academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Additional desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to remain calm when confronted by 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 Sonogram Technician Degree and wanting more information on Accredited Local Ultrasound Tech Schools. However, as we have covered in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are considering. This holds true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can assess each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Jenkintown PA.

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Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Jenkintown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles (16 km) north of Center City Philadelphia. "Jenkintown" is also used to describe a number of neighborhoods surrounding the borough, which also are known by names such as Meadowbrook, Rydal, Crosswicks, Fox Chase Manor, Jenkintown Manor, Noble, and Switchville. While the post office will deliver "Jenkintown"-addressed mail to these areas, they are not part of the political entity of Jenkintown; they are within Abington Township. Jenkintown is surrounded by Abington Township to the north, west, and east, and borders Cheltenham Township to the south.

The Borough of Jenkintown is located just outside Philadelphia along the Route 611 corridor between Abington and Cheltenham Townships. The Borough was settled in about 1697 and incorporated on December 8, 1874 when approximately 248 acres (1.00 km2) was taken from Abington Township. Today, the Borough is approximately 0.58 square miles and is home to 4,500 residents.

The Borough is a mostly residential community that is separated into East and West by the Business District that runs along and surrounds Old York Road (Route 611) corridor. On the east side of Old York Road, residential development is predominantly characterized by larger detached single-family homes on lots larger than the Borough average. On the southeast side of York Road, there is a small mixed concentration of row homes, duplexes, and single-family residences. The majority of the residential development, however, is located to the west of York Road. This area consists of a traditional small town mix of detached single-family homes, duplexes, and row homes. Located throughout this area are several multi-family apartment buildings that are residential rental properties. At the center of this residential area are the Jenkintown Elementary School and the Jenkintown High School.