How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Groton Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Groton CT, the next step is to begin the process of selecting a school. First, you have to find the ideal program that will furnish the appropriate education to become a skilled professional. And since some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you research each school so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one start? A number of prospective students will begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost need to be considered when making a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.
Ultrasound Technician Work Description
There are more than one acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Groton CT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work duties of a sonogram tech can consist of:
- Preserving records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
- Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Assessing results and determining necessity for further testing
Ultrasound techs must regularly gauge the safety and performance of their machines. 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 stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.
Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available
Ultrasound technician students have the option to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to complete. Another option for those 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 health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which many schools set up with Groton CT hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you choose to work in.
Ultrasound Technician Online Classes
As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram tech colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be fulfilled through an internship at a local Groton CT outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Groton home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online programs are many times more affordable than on campus options. Costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But just as with every sonographer school you are reviewing, check that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly crucial 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 comfort of your own home, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.
Topics to Ask Sonography Colleges
After you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of assessing 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 Groton CT area. Of course location will be important if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional things 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, following are some questions that you need ask each sonographer program prior to making a decision.
Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Groton CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level positions.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the sonogram technician schools you are reviewing have relationships with Groton CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Groton health care community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the sonographer schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Groton CT home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Groton CT area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Groton CT?
If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Groton Connecticut, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.
Groton, Connecticut
Groton /ˈɡrɒtən/ is a town in New London County, Connecticut located on the Thames River. It is the home of General Dynamics Electric Boat, which is the major contractor for submarine work for the United States Navy. The Naval Submarine Base New London is located in Groton, and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer is also a major employer. Avery Point in Groton is home to a regional campus of the University of Connecticut. The population was 40,115 at the 2010 census.[2]
Groton was established in 1705 when it separated from New London, Connecticut. The town was named after Groton, Suffolk in England.[4] A hundred years before it was established, the Niantic people settled in the area between the Thames River and Pawcatuck River, but they eventually settled in Westerly, Rhode Island. The newcomers to the land were the Pequots, a branch of the Mohawk people who moved eastward into the Connecticut River Valley.
The summer of 1614 was the first time that the Pequots encountered white settlers. They started trading furs for the settlers' goods, such as steel knives, needles, and boots. In 1633, the Dutch bought land from them and opened a fur trading post. Meanwhile, the English bought land for settlement from the local tribes. The Dutch had unintentionally killed the Pequots' chief, and this prompted revenge by the Pequot tribe, and this escalated into the Pequot War (1636–38). On the night of May 26, 1637, the Colonial forces arrived outside the Pequot village near the Mystic River. The palisade surrounding the village had only two exits, and their leader Colonel John Mason gave the order to set the village on fire and block off the exits. Those who tried climbing over the palisade were shot; anyone who succeeded in getting over was killed by the Narragansett forces.[5]
The land was poor for farming, but access to the region's waterways left room for commerce and trade, and Groton became a town of oceangoing settlers. Most of the community began to build ships, and soon traders made their way to Massachusetts Bay Colony and Plymouth Colony to trade for food, tools, weapons, and clothing. John Leeds was the earliest shipbuilder, coming as a sea captain from Kent, England. He built a 20-ton brigantine, a two-masted sailing ship with square-rigged sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft sails on the mainmast. Thomas Starr built a 67-ton square-sterned vessel, and Thomas Latham launched a 100-ton brig on the Groton bank with mast standing and fully rigged. The sturdy ships built in Groton engaged in very profitable trade with the islands of the Caribbean.
Find the Right Accredited Sonogram Technician Schools Groton CT
Picking the right sonographer certificate or degree program is a vital first step to starting a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Additional preferred talents include technical proficiency, the ability to remain collected when confronted by 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 Accredited Sonogram Technician Schools. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing. This is the case whether you choose an online degree or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each college, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as an sonographer in Groton CT.
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