Accredited Ultrasound Tech Programs Hamden CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Hamden Connecticut

Hamden CT ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Hamden CT, it’s time to start the procedure of selecting a college. First, you must find the right program that will furnish the necessary education to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each school in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one start? Many individuals will start by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education options that are available.

Sonographer Occupation Summary

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

Keeping records of patient medical 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 re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for further testing

Sonographers must regularly assess the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degrees Available

Hamden CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent 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 already obtained 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 only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Hamden CT hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in Connecticut or whatever state you elect to work in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Hamden CT As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram tech colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at an authorized off-campus facility. Clinical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Hamden CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the remainder of the classes and training may be attended online in your Hamden home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. In addition online colleges are often more affordable than on-campus options. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just as with any sonography school you are reviewing, confirm that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for certification, licensing and finding employment (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 online classes may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs

Questions to ask Hamden CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the procedure of assessing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You may first want to decide whether you will access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Hamden CT area. Of course location will be important 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 account, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are several questions that you need ask each sonographer school prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of sonogram tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous review of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Hamden CT health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the sonogram tech programs you are evaluating have associations with Hamden CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional connections in the Hamden health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the sonographer schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Hamden CT home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps 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 usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 final determination. 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.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer school you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Hamden CT area, make sure 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 need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Hamden CT?

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

Hamden, Connecticut

Hamden is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town's nickname is "The Land of the Sleeping Giant." The population was 60,960 at the 2010 census.[1] Hamden is a suburb of the city of New Haven.

The town of Hamden ranked #53 in the CNN Money list of "America's best small cities" in 2012. In 2008, Fortune Magazine and CNN Money picked Hamden as #33 on their "Best Place to Live and Launch" list, citing Hamden's great blend of urban and suburban lifestyles. The article also pointed out Hamden's exceptional education system as well as its "New England Charm".[2]

Originally settled by Puritans as part of the town of New Haven, Hamden was purchased by William Christopher Reilly and the Reverend John Davenport in 1638 from the local Quinnipiack Native American tribe. It remained a part of New Haven until 1786 when 1,400 local residents incorporated the area as a separate town, naming it after the English statesman John Hampden.[3]

Largely developed as a nodal collection of village-like settlements (which remain distinct today), including Mount Carmel (home to Quinnipiac University), Whitneyville, Spring Glen, West Woods, and Highwood, Hamden has a long-standing industrial history. In 1798, four years after Eli Whitney began manufacturing the cotton gin in New Haven, he made arms for the U.S. government at a mill site in Hamden, where a waterfall provided a good source of power. At that site, Whitney introduced the modern era of mass production with the concept of interchangeable parts.

Find the Right Accredited Ultrasound Tech Programs Hamden CT

Choosing the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to launching a fulfilling new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended periods and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other preferred skills include technical aptitude, the ability to remain levelheaded when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Ultrasound Tech Programs. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are multiple questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing. This is true whether you choose an online program or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each college, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can achieve your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Hamden CT.