Best Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools Palo Alto CA

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Technician Degree Program near Palo Alto California

Palo Alto CA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Palo Alto CA, the next step is to begin the process of choosing a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the necessary instruction to become a qualified professional. And because some states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each program in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But exactly where does one start? Most students will start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location need to be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internships. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education options that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Occupation Description

Palo Alto CA sonographer testing pregnant woman 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. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Palo Alto CA hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job functions of a sonogram tech can involve:

Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining need for further testing

Sonographers must routinely assess the performance and safety of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available

Palo Alto CA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take about 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish. Another option for those who have already received 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 relevant health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many schools set up through Palo Alto CA clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in California or whichever state you choose to work in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Palo Alto CA As aforementioned, almost all sonogram technician schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either held in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can often be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Palo Alto CA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the remainder of the classes and training may be attended online in your Palo Alto home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online programs are often less expensive than on-campus options. Costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech college you are looking at, verify that the online program 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 dedicated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Tech Schools

Questions to ask Palo Alto CA ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Palo Alto CA area. Certainly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into account, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internship programs. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are some questions that you need ask each sonographer college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 undergone a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies 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 help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Palo Alto CA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the sonogram tech colleges you are assessing have relationships with Palo Alto CA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Palo Alto healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with California 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 decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Palo Alto CA home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at 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 decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the ultrasound tech school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Palo Alto CA area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Palo Alto CA?

If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Palo Alto California, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.

Palo Alto, California

Palo Alto (/ˌpæloʊ ˈæltoʊ/) is a charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Palo Alto means tall tree in Spanish; the city is named after a coastal redwood tree called El Palo Alto.

The city was established by Leland Stanford Sr. when he founded Stanford University, following the death of his son, Leland Stanford Jr. Palo Alto includes portions of Stanford University and shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. As of the 2010 census, the city's total resident population is 64,403.[5] Palo Alto is one of the five most expensive cities in the United States to live in[7][8] and its residents are among the highest educated in the country.[9]

Palo Alto is headquarters to a number of high-technology companies, including Hewlett-Packard (HP), Space Systems/Loral, VMware, Tesla, Ford Research and Innovation Center, PARC, IDEO, Skype, Palantir Technologies, Houzz, and Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center.[10] Palo Alto has also served as an incubator and as headquarters to several other prominent high-technology companies such as Apple,[11]Google,[12]Facebook, Logitech,[13]Intuit, Pinterest, and PayPal.

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Ohlone lived on the San Francisco peninsula; in particular, the Puichon Ohlone lived in the Palo Alto area. The area of modern Palo Alto was first recorded by the 1769 party of Gaspar de Portolà, a 63-man, 200-horse expedition from San Diego to Monterey. The group overshot Monterey in the fog and when they reached modern-day Pacifica, ascended Sweeney Ridge and saw the San Francisco Bay. Portolà descended from Sweeney Ridge southeast down San Andreas Creek to Laguna Creek (now Crystal Springs Reservoirs) and the Filoli estate, and thence to the San Francisquito Creek watershed, ultimately camping from November 6–11, 1769 by a tall redwood later to be known as El Palo Alto. Thinking the bay was too wide to cross, the group retraced their journey to Monterey, and never became aware of the Golden Gate entrance to the Bay.[14][citation needed]

Find the Right Best Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools Palo Alto CA

Selecting the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to commencing a gratifying new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for lengthy time frames and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other desirable talents include technical aptitude, the ability to keep calm when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Best Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing. This is true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each college, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Palo Alto CA.