Colleges That Have Ultrasound Programs Enfield CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Enfield Connecticut

Enfield CT ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Enfield CT, it’s time to start the process of choosing a school. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will provide the necessary instruction to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each school in order to assess and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Many individuals will start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are offered.

Sonogram Tech Job Summary

Enfield CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job function, 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 instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority work in Enfield CT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily work tasks of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly assess the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Available

Enfield CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to finish. Another alternative for individuals who have previously 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 related health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training element as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which numerous schools organize with Enfield CT clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in Connecticut or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Sonogram Tech Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Enfield CT As aforementioned, nearly all sonogram tech schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can earn a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Practical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local Enfield CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Enfield home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online schools are often less costly than traditional options. Costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But similarly as with every sonographer school you are considering, check that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs

Questions to ask Enfield CT ultrasound tech schools When you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician colleges. You may first want to choose whether you will access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Enfield CT area. Obviously location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of ultrasound tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Enfield CT employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the sonogram technician programs you are interested in have relationships with Enfield CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Enfield health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the sonographer schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Enfield CT residence. Individuals who have opted 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. Something to keep 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Enfield CT area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Enfield CT?

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

Enfield, Connecticut

Enfield is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 44,654 at the 2010 census.[1] It is bordered by Longmeadow, Massachusetts and East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, to the north, Somers to the east, East Windsor and Ellington to the south, and the Connecticut River (towns of Suffield and Windsor Locks) to the west.

Enfield was originally inhabited by the Pocomtuc tribe, and contained their two villages of Scitico and Nameroke. Though land grants were first granted in 1674, no one attempted to settle what is known as Enfield until 1679 when the Pease Brothers of Robert and John II, settlers from Salem, Massachusetts came in to settle the fertile lands. They dug a shelter into a bill and camped there for the winter until their families came to help them build houses. In 1675, a sawmill owned by William Pynchon II was burned in the wake of King Phillip's War. The first town meeting was held on August 14, 1679 and a committee of five were appointed by men from Springfield as it was the parent town at the time. Enfield was incorporated in Massachusetts on May 16, 1683 as the Freshwater Plantation. The same day as the town of Stow, Massachusetts, making them the 52nd/53rd towns in the Colony. The namesake is the Freshwater Brook (Also known as the Asnuntuck Brook) that triverses the town. Five years later, on March 16, 1688, the townspeople purchased Enfield from a Podunk named Notatuck for 25 pounds Sterling. It is unclear what claim Notatuck actually had to the land, or whether he was selling the land or the rights to use it. Shortly around 1700, the town changed its name to Enfield after Enfield Town in Middlesex, and to go with the other fields in the area such as Springfield, Westfield, and Suffield.

In 1734, the eastern part of town separated into the town of Somers.[2] In 1749, following the settlement of a lawsuit in which it was determined that a surveyor's error placed a section of present-day Hartford County (including Enfield) within the boundaries of Massachusetts, the town seceded and became part of Connecticut.[3]

Jonathan Edwards preached his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", in Enfield. It was part of the Great Awakening revival that struck New England in the mid-18th century and spread throughout Western North American civilization.

Find the Right Colleges That Have Ultrasound Programs Enfield CT

Picking the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a vital first step to launching a fulfilling new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Additional preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep collected when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Colleges That Have Ultrasound Programs. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This holds true whether you choose an online degree or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each school, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Enfield CT.