Ultrasound Technician Colleges Near Me New London CT

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near New London Connecticut

New London CT ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near New London CT, the next step is to begin the procedure of choosing a college. To begin with, you must find the ideal program that will provide the appropriate training to become a qualified professional. And because some states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s very important that you research each school in order to assess and compare your options. But just where does one begin? Most students will begin by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be considered when making a decision, but there are other critical factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Occupation Description

New London CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in New London CT clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily work duties of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying necessity for additional testing

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

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

New London CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech enrollees have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually require about 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish. Another option for individuals who have previously 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 sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that most sonographer schools do have a practical training element as a portion of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous schools set up through New London CT hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification prerequisites in Connecticut or whatever state you decide to work in.

Online Sonographer Programs

woman attending online sonography school in New London CT As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at an authorized off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local New London CT hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the remainder of the classes and training can be attended online in your New London home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that keep working while earning their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional alternatives. Expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech program you are reviewing, verify that the online school you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for certification, licensing and job placement (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 an online degree could be the right option for you.

What to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask New London CT ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the New London CT area. Obviously location will be critical if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification as well. But there are additional variables that you must also take into consideration, such as if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? Most sonogram tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many New London CT employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the sonogram technician programs you are interested in have partnerships with New London CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the New London healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the sonographer schools you are reviewing have job assistance 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 well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their New London CT home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern 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 school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the New London CT area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near New London CT?

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

New London, Connecticut

New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States, located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut. It was one of the world's three busiest whaling ports for several decades beginning in the early 19th century, along with Nantucket and New Bedford, Massachusetts. The wealth that whaling brought into the city furnished the capital to fund much of the city's present architecture. The city subsequently became home to other shipping and manufacturing industries, but it has gradually lost most of its industrial heart.

New London is home to the United States Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut College, Mitchell College, and The Williams School. The Coast Guard Station New London and New London Harbor is home port to the Coast Guard Cutter Chinook and the Coast Guard's tall ship Eagle. The city had a population of 27,620 at the 2010 census. The Norwich-New London metropolitan area includes 21 towns and 274,055 people.

The area was called Nameaug by the Pequot Indians. John Winthrop, Jr. founded the first English settlement here in 1646, making it about the 13th town settled in Connecticut. Inhabitants informally referred to it as Nameaug or as Pequot after the tribe. In the 1650s, the colonists wanted to give the town the official name of London after London, England, but the Connecticut General Assembly wanted to name it Faire Harbour. The citizens protested, declaring that they would prefer it to be called Nameaug if it couldn't be officially named London.[3][4] The legislature relented, and the town was officially named New London on March 10, 1658.

The harbor was considered to be the best deep water harbor on Long Island Sound,[5] and consequently New London became a base of American naval operations during the American Revolutionary War. Famous New Londoners during the American Revolution include Nathan Hale, William Coit, Richard Douglass, Thomas and Nathaniel Shaw, Gen. Samuel Parsons, printer Timothy Green, and Bishop Samuel Seabury.

Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Colleges Near Me New London CT

Selecting the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is an important first step to embarking on a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for prolonged time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other helpful talents include technical proficiency, the ability to remain levelheaded 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 Technician Colleges Near Me. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are looking at. This holds true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each program, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in New London CT.