OB Sonography Schools Haddam CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Haddam Connecticut

Haddam CT ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Haddam CT, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a college. To begin with, you must find the ideal program that will provide the proper education to become a skilled professional. And since some states do mandate that ultrasound techs 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 very important that you investigate each school in order to assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one start? A number of prospective students will start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be discussed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training options that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

Haddam CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as 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 perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though many work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Haddam CT clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily job functions of an ultrasound technician can involve:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for further testing

Sonographers must routinely gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

Haddam CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually take about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have previously received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have received a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant medical field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that almost all sonographer schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Haddam CT hospitals and clinics. 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 decide to work in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Haddam CT As previously mentioned, nearly all sonogram tech colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can earn a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at an approved off campus facility. Practical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Haddam CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Haddam home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are often more affordable than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But similarly as with every sonographer school you are reviewing, confirm that the online program you choose is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly 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 an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Sonography Programs

Questions to ask Haddam CT ultrasound tech schools After you have determined the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Haddam CT area. Certainly location will be significant if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier also. But there are other variables that you must also take into consideration, such as if the colleges are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are some questions that you need ask each sonographer program before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Haddam CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the ultrasound technician schools you are reviewing have associations with Haddam CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional connections in the Haddam health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Haddam CT home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry 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 program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the sonographer program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Haddam CT area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative 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 might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Haddam CT?

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

East Haddam, Connecticut

Until 1650, the area of East Haddam was inhabited by at least three tribes of Indians: the Wangunks, the Mohegans and the Nehantics. The Indians called the area "Machimoodus", the place of noises, because of numerous earthquakes that were recorded between 1638 and 1899. Loud rumblings, the "Moodus Noises", could be heard for miles surrounding the epicenter of the quakes near Mt. Tom. The land, which is now Haddam and East Haddam, was purchased by settlers from the natives in 1662 for thirty coats – worth about $100.

Layout of the highways began in 1669 with Creek Row about ¼ mile east of the River and Town Street “The Great Highway” about ¼ mile east of Creek Row. The first permanent settlers established homesteads along Creek Row in 1685. By 1700, there were thirty families living in East Haddam. Agricultural and timber farming, shipbuilding, tanneries and blacksmiths were among the early commerce. Captain John Chapman began ferry service across the Connecticut River in 1695, which ended with the completion of the swing bridge in 1913.

East Haddam was incorporated as a separate town from Haddam in 1734. By 1756, there were nearly 2,000 residents, with the Millington District as the most populated. Growth of commerce brought a surge in population to around 3,000 people by the mid-1800s. In the nineteenth century, Moodus was the “Twine Capital of America,” with twelve mills in operation.[2] Visitors and residents such as actor William Gillette whose castle home was completed in 1914, were drawn to the area known for its rural charm and natural scenery. The growth of the resort areas of Lake Hayward, Bashan Lake and Moodus Reservoir began in the early 1900s and was a booming business for the next fifty years.[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 56.6 square miles (147 km2), of which, 54.3 square miles (141 km2) of it is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) of it (3.96%) is water.

Find the Right OB Sonography Schools Haddam CT

Choosing the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to starting a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for prolonged durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other beneficial talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay 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 OB Sonography Schools. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online degree or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can assess each program, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your objective to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Haddam CT.