Ultra Sound Tech Degree Andover CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Andover Connecticut

Andover CT ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Andover CT, it’s time to start the process of choosing a school. First, you need to find the right program that will furnish the proper education to become a skilled professional. And since a number of 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 examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each program so that you can evaluate and compare your choices. But exactly where does one begin? Most potential students will start by searching for colleges that are within travelling 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 critical factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Occupation Summary

Andover CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Andover CT clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job duties of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for further testing

Sonographers must routinely assess the performance and safety of their equipment. 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 stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Andover CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the choice to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve around 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to finish. Another option for individuals who have already obtained a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that the majority of ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many colleges sponsor through Andover CT clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Sonographer Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Andover CT As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at an authorized off campus facility. Clinical training can often be satisfied through an internship at a local Andover CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Andover home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than on campus options. Costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just as with any sonography college you are looking at, check 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 especially crucial for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Andover CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Andover CT area. Obviously location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier also. But there are other things that you must also take into account, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you need ask each sonographer program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? Most sonogram tech colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed review of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Andover CT health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the sonogram technician schools you are evaluating have relationships with Andover CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to receive practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Andover healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Andover CT home. Those who have opted to attend online classes 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 bear 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the ultrasound tech school you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Andover CT area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours 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 obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Andover CT?

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

Andover, Connecticut

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.7 square miles (41 km2), of which, 15.5 square miles (40 km2) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it (1.53%) is water. Most of the water of that is Andover Lake.

As of the 2010 United States Census Andover had a population of 3,303. The racial composition of the population was 95.9% white, 1.1% black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.5% from some other race and 1.2% reporting two or more race. 1.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.[5]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 3,036 people, 1,150 households, and 861 families residing in the town. The population density was 196.4 people per square mile (75.8/km²). There were 1,198 housing units at an average density of 77.5 per square mile (29.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.64% White, 0.92% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 1,150 households out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.04.

Find the Right Ultra Sound Tech Degree Andover CT

Selecting the ideal sonographer degree or certificate program is an important first step to initiating a gratifying new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from satisfying academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for extended durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and move heavy machinery. Other beneficial skills include technical aptitude, the ability to keep collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultra Sound Tech Degree. However, as we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing. This is the case whether you choose an online degree or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each school, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Andover CT.