Ultrasound Schools Near Me New Canaan CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Technician College near New Canaan Connecticut

New Canaan CT ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near New Canaan CT, it’s time to start the process of choosing a college. First, you must find the right program that will furnish the necessary education to become a qualified professional. And since some states do mandate that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each college so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? Most students will begin by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other important factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and additional qualifications will be covered more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Ultrasound Tech Job Summary

New Canaan CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several 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 description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in New Canaan CT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work functions of an ultrasound technician may consist of:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining necessity for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely assess the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Offered

New Canaan CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have already received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to consider is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which many colleges organize through New Canaan CT clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Online Sonogram Tech Classes

woman attending online sonography school in New Canaan CT As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus facility. Practical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local New Canaan CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the rest of the training and classes can be attended online in your New Canaan home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are frequently less expensive than traditional alternatives. Expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just as with every ultrasound tech college you are looking at, make sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly 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 comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs

Questions to ask New Canaan CT ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the New Canaan CT area. Clearly location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional variables that you should also take into consideration, such as if the programs are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are several questions that you may want to ask each sonography program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? Most ultrasound technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies 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 a detailed review of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized 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 acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many New Canaan CT employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the sonogram tech colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with New Canaan CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional relationships in the New Canaan medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the sonographer programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their New Canaan CT residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the New Canaan CT area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near New Canaan CT?

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

New Canaan, Connecticut

New Canaan (/ˈkeɪnən/) is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Greenwich, 36 miles (58 km) west of New Haven and 48 miles (77 kilometers) northeast of New York City. The population was 19,738 according to the 2010 census.[1] In 2008 New Canaan had the highest median family income in the country.[2]

Considered part of Connecticut's Gold Coast, New Canaan is known for its public school system,[3] its wide range of architecture from the Harvard Five modern homes to historic New England colonials and farmhouses, as well as a signature town center with premiere shopping, classic boutiques, and an elaborate display of lights for the Holidays. Residents carol on Church Hill every Christmas Eve, a town tradition since 1916.[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.5 square miles (58 km2), of which 22.1 square miles (57 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 1.56%, is water. New Canaan is the only municipality on the Connecticut Panhandle that does not border the coast. Such proximity to New York City proved worthy of its own connection to the New Haven Railroad, being the only town to do so. New Canaan station and Talmadge Hill station are both on the New Canaan Branch of the New Haven Line, and transfer is possible in Stamford south to Manhattan. Many New Canaan residents commute to New York regularly, with travel time to Grand Central Terminal approximately 70 minutes. New Canaan is also heavily served by the historic Merritt Parkway, as the third municipality when driving through Connecticut from New York City.

The downtown area consists of many fine restaurants, an old Bow Tie Cinemas movie theater, library, the Victorian train station, antique shops, a book store, a saddlery boutique and various fine clothing and interior decorating shops. In addition to the many local boutiques and businesses, many national chains stores can be found in the downtown area, including Ralph Lauren and Ralph Lauren Children, Ann Taylor, J. McLaughlin, Papyrus, Vineyard Vines, Le Pain Quotidien, and Starbucks, among others. There are also several churches in town (Catholic and various Protestant denominations) as well as the historic Roger Sherman Inn, established in 1740. Most major banks and many wealth managements firms have a presence in New Canaan, including J.P Morgan, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo, UBS, Citibank and Bank of America, among others. Several hedge funds are also based in New Canaan.

Find the Right Ultrasound Schools Near Me New Canaan CT

Enrolling in the ideal sonographer degree or certificate program is a vital first step to starting a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for prolonged time frames and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Additional preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain calm when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Schools Near Me. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing. This is true whether you select an online degree or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each college, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to practice as an ultrasound technologist in New Canaan CT.