Sonography Schools Meriden CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Meriden Connecticut

Meriden CT ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Meriden CT, the next step is to start the procedure of choosing a school. To begin with, you have to find the right program that will furnish the proper instruction to become a qualified professional. And because some states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each school in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Most potential students will begin by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and other qualifications will be covered more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education options that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Work Summary

Meriden CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several professional 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 description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Meriden CT hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily job functions of a sonogram tech can involve:

Preserving records of patient medical histories and specifics 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 ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for further testing

Sonographers must routinely gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Meriden CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually require around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish. Another alternative for individuals who have already 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 related medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to bear in mind is that most sonographer colleges do have a practical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many schools organize through Meriden CT clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you decide to practice in.

Sonogram Tech Online Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Meriden CT As earlier discussed, nearly all ultrasound technician schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can earn a certificate or degree 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. Clinical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local Meriden CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Meriden home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online programs are many times less expensive than on campus alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But similarly as with every sonography school you are looking at, make sure that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Sonogram Tech Programs

Questions to ask Meriden CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You may first want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Meriden CT area. Clearly location will be important if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other factors that you must also take into consideration, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech school prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? Most ultrasound technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Meriden CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the ultrasound tech colleges you are interested in have relationships with Meriden CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Meriden healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Meriden CT home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher 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 instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the sonographer school you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Meriden CT area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Meriden CT?

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

Meriden, Connecticut

Meriden was originally a part of the neighboring town of Wallingford. It was granted a separate meetinghouse in 1727, became a town in 1806 with over 1000 residents, and incorporated as a city in 1867 with just under 9000 residents. It was once proposed as the Connecticut state capital.[4] It was named for the village of Meriden, West Midlands, England, near Birmingham.

The grave of Winston Churchill's great-great-great maternal grandfather, Timothy Jerome, can be seen today at what is now called "Burying Ground 1720" (Google Maps: 41.522877, -72.787707) at the juncture of Dexter Avenue and Lydale Place. At the time the location was known as "Buckwheat Hill," and overlooked the salt-making estate for which Jerome had received a royal grant.[6] Timothy Jerome's son, Samuel, is the great-great grandfather of Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill's mother.[7][8]

In the 1800s, Meriden became a manufacturing center of note, with several companies forming, or relocating to the city, including the Meriden Britannia Company (a predecessor of the International Silver Company with corporate HQ in Meriden),[9] C.F. Monroe Company (1892–1916),[10]Charles Parker Company, Parker Brothers (guns), Manning, Bowman & Co. (1849–1945),[11][12] the Meriden Flint Glass Company (1876–92),[13]Edward Miller & Co / Miller Company (1844–present),[14] Wilcox and White, Handel Company (lamps),[15] and the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company (1852–1940). Meriden earned the nickname "Silver City", due to the large number of silver manufacturers. In addition to hollowware, Meriden was also a significant center of cutlery production (various silver companies, Meriden Cutlery and Miller Bros. Cutlery). The small city is also known for the historical production of glass and lamps, and having secured a large number of technology and design patents by companies based in Meriden.[16][17] During this time, several mansions and houses of note were built, particularly on Broad Street.[18][19]

Charles Parker and his younger brother opened their first factory in Meriden in 1832, with a capital outlay of $70.00. Over the years they manufactured a wide variety of products‚ from steam engines, train wheels and printing presses to piano stools. During the Civil War, Parker's Meriden Machine Company was under Union contract to produce 10,000 repeating rifles and 15,000 Springfield rifles. Parker began producing his own shotgun, referred to as "The Gun of 1866". In 1868, Charles and his sons, Wilbur, Charles and Dexter, started the Parker Brothers Gun Company, which continued as an independent company until 1934 when it was purchased by the Remington Arms Company.[20]

Find the Right Sonography Schools Meriden CT

Choosing the right sonographer degree or certificate program is an important first step to starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain collected when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonography Schools. However, as we have covered in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are considering. This holds true whether you select an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can assess each school, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as an ultrasound tech in Meriden CT.