Ultrasound Technician University Burlington CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Training Program near Burlington Connecticut

Burlington CT ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Burlington CT, it’s time to start the procedure of picking a school. First, you need to find the right program that will provide the proper training to become a skilled professional. And given that some states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each college in order to assess and compare your options. But just where does one begin? A number of prospective 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 taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant 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 first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are available.

Sonographer Occupation Description

Burlington CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Burlington CT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job duties of an ultrasound tech may include:

Preserving records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently assess the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Offered

Burlington CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally require 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 complete. Another option 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 medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous schools sponsor through Burlington CT hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you choose to practice in.

Online Sonographer Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Burlington CT As aforementioned, virtually all sonogram technician colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be fulfilled through an internship at a local Burlington CT outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the remainder of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Burlington home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online colleges are often more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech college you are considering, verify that the online school you select is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for licensing, certification 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 ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Tech Schools

Questions to ask Burlington CT ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have determined the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Burlington CT area. Of course location will be critical if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification as well. But there are other things that you should also take into consideration, for example 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, below are a few questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech program prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? Most sonogram tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Burlington CT employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the sonogram tech programs you are evaluating have associations with Burlington CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Burlington healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Burlington CT home. Students who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider 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 normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech school you finally pick 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 night or weekend classes in the Burlington CT area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Burlington CT?

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

Burlington, Connecticut

Situated at the foot of the Berkshires and bordering the Farmington River, Burlington is a scenic hill town, rural in nature, located 20 miles (32 km) west of Hartford. Incorporated in 1806, the population was 9,301 at the 2010 census.[2] Burlington is home to the State of Connecticut Fish Hatchery, the Nepaug Reservoir and Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area. Almost half of the land in the town is owned by three public water supply companies and the State of Connecticut.

The town was once part of larger Farmington Plantation. In 1785, it split away and became a part of the town of Bristol. In 1806, Burlington separated from Bristol and became a town in its own right.[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 30.4 square miles (78.8 km2), of which 29.7 square miles (77.0 km2) is land and 0.66 square miles (1.7 km2), or 2.19%, is water.[2]

As of the census[6] of 2010, there were 9,326 people, 3,303 households, and 2,691 families residing in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 96.5% White, 0.6% African American, 0.0% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.6% of the population.

Find the Right Ultrasound Technician University Burlington CT

Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a vital first step to initiating a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for lengthy periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and move heavy machines. Additional preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain calm when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Technician University. However, as we have covered in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you select an online program or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each program, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an sonographer in Burlington CT.