Ultrasound Tech Trade School Travis Afb CA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Travis Afb California

Travis Afb CA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Travis Afb CA, the next step is to start the procedure of selecting a school. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the necessary training to become a skilled professional. And because some states do mandate 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 investigate each program so that you can assess and compare your options. But just where does one start? Most prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training options that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Work Description

Travis Afb CA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority work in Travis Afb CA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Typical daily work tasks of a sonogram technician may consist of:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for further testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly assess the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Offered

Travis Afb CA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to finish. Another alternative for individuals who have previously 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 related health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that almost all ultrasound technician programs do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Travis Afb CA hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in California or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Online Sonogram Tech Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Travis Afb CA As earlier discussed, virtually all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either held in an on campus laboratory or at an authorized off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Travis Afb CA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the balance of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Travis Afb home. This is particularly convenient for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online schools are frequently less costly than traditional options. Costs for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But similarly as with every sonography college you are reviewing, verify that the online program you choose is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Travis Afb CA ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can start the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you will access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Travis Afb CA area. Obviously location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are other factors that you should also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important 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 earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Travis Afb CA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the sonogram technician schools you are reviewing have associations with Travis Afb CA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Travis Afb health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with California healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Travis Afb CA residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble 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 decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer college you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Travis Afb CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Travis Afb CA?

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

Travis Air Force Base

Travis Air Force Base (IATA: SUU, ICAO: KSUU, FAA LID: SUU) is a United States Air Force air base under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command (AMC), located three miles (5 km) east of the central business district of Fairfield, in Solano County, California, United States.[2]

Situated in the San Francisco Bay Area and known as the "Gateway to the Pacific", Travis Air Force Base handles more cargo and passenger traffic through its airport than any other military air terminal in the United States. The base has a long and proud history of supporting humanitarian airlift operations at home and around the world. Today, Travis AFB includes approximately 7,260 active USAF military personnel, 4,250 Air Force Reserve personnel and 3,770 civilians.[3]

Travis AFB has a major impact on the community as a number of military families and retirees have chosen to make Fairfield their permanent home. Travis AFB is the largest employer in the City and Solano County as well, and the massive Travis workforce has a local economic impact of more than $1 billion annually. The Base also contributes a large number of highly skilled people to the local labor pool.[3]

The base's host unit, the 60th Air Mobility Wing, is the largest wing in the Air Force's Air Mobility Command, with a versatile fleet of 26 C-5 Galaxies, 27 KC-10 Extenders, and 13 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Trade School Travis Afb CA

Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Tech Trade School. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing. This is the case whether you select an online degree or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each college, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in Travis Afb CA.