How to Find the Best Ultrasound Technician School near Fort Lee Virginia
Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Fort Lee VA, it’s time to start the process of choosing a college. First, you must find the right program that will provide the proper training to become a qualified professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s extremely important that you research each college so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But exactly where does one begin? Many potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location should be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other critical factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are offered.
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Ultrasound Technician Occupation Summary
There are more than one 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 function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though many work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Fort Lee VA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily job functions of an ultrasound tech may include:
- Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
- Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Assessing results and identifying need for further testing
Ultrasound techs 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 required to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.
Sonogram Tech Degrees Offered
Ultrasound technician students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take around 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to complete. Another option for individuals who have already earned 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 medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that most sonographer programs do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many schools set up through Fort Lee VA clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the certification or licensing requirements in Virginia or whichever state you elect to work in.
Ultrasound Tech Online Programs
As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at an authorized off campus facility. Practical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local Fort Lee VA hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the balance of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Fort Lee home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online schools are many times less costly than on campus options. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech program you are reviewing, make sure that the online program you select is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Ultrasound Tech Schools
As soon as you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Fort Lee VA area. Clearly location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification as well. But there are other things that you must also take into account, for example if the schools are accredited and if they provide internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are some questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies 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 gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Fort Lee VA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the ultrasound technician colleges you are reviewing have partnerships with Fort Lee VA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Fort Lee health care community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Fort Lee VA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program 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 normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average 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 an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the ultrasound tech school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Fort Lee VA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Become A Sonographer Fort Lee Virginia
Choosing the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to embarking on a gratifying new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for prolonged durations and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Additional beneficial skills include technical aptitude, the ability to remain collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Become A Sonographer and wanting more information on Schools That Offer Sonography Programs. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are considering. This is the case whether you enroll in an online program or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each school, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can realize your objective to work as an sonographer in Fort Lee VA.
More Ultrasound Locations in Virginia
Fort Lee (Virginia)
Fort Lee, in Prince George County, Virginia, United States, is a United States Army post and headquarters of the United States Army Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM)/ Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCoE), the U.S. Army Quartermaster School, the U.S. Army Ordnance School, The U.S. Army Transportation School, the Army Logistics University (ALU), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and the U.S. Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA).
Fort Lee also hosts two Army museums, the U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum and the U.S. Army Women's Museum. The Army's Ordnance Museum relocated to Fort Lee in 2009–2010 and has plans to return its collection to public display at Fort Lee. The fort is named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee.[1] Fort Lee is also a census-designated place (CDP), with population of 3,393 at the 2010 census.
When construction work ended, there were accommodations for 60,335 men. On 15 July 1917, the War Department announced that the camp would be named after General Robert E. Lee, a Confederate Civil War commander. Brigadier General Malcolm Frost said, "Every Army installation is named for a soldier who holds a place in our military history." He further explained that the historic names chosen "represent individuals, not causes or ideologies," and that it was done "in the spirit of reconciliation, not division."[2]
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