Ultrasound Tech Degree Portland CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Technician Degree Program near Portland Connecticut

Portland CT ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Portland CT, it’s time to start the process of choosing a school. First, you need to find the right program that will provide the appropriate education to become a qualified professional. And since a number of 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 assess and compare your options. But exactly where does one begin? Many students will begin by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional critical factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are available.

Sonographer Job Summary

Portland CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various 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 perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Portland CT clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily work tasks of a sonogram tech may consist of:

Maintaining 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 cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely evaluate 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 degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Portland CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require about 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another option for those who have previously earned 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 related health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous schools set up with Portland CT hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to fulfill the certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Portland CT As earlier discussed, virtually all ultrasound tech schools have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either carried out in an on campus lab or at a sponsored off campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Portland CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the rest of the classes and training can be attended online in your Portland home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online programs are many times less costly than on campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But similarly as with any sonographer college you are reviewing, make sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited. One of 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 disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs

Questions to ask Portland CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Portland CT area. Obviously location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier also. But there are other factors that you should also take into account, for example if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are some questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech school before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Portland CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the sonogram tech programs you are interested in have partnerships with Portland CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Portland health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good 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 school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Portland CT residence. Students who have chosen 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 concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit 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 want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the sonographer program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Portland CT area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative 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 due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Portland CT?

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

Portland, Connecticut

Portland is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,732 at the 2000 census. The town center is listed as a census-designated place (CDP). It is situated across the Connecticut River from Middletown. Brownstone quarried in Portland was used in the construction of Hartford's Old State House in 1796. The vast majority of the brownstone buildings in Connecticut (see College Row at Wesleyan University and the Long Walk at Trinity College) as well as the famous brownstones in New York City were built with brownstone from Portland's quarries.

The Wangunk tribe lived in the area prior to European settlement, and lived in Portland continuously throughout the settler period. Wangunk descendants still live in the area today. Their name referred to the bend in the Connecticut River which curves around half of the town's perimeter.[1]

The first European settlers came to Portland in the 1690s. They were attracted by brownstone, which was used both for construction and for gravestones. Proximity to the river meant that the stone could be transported far and wide, and the Portland brownstone quarries supplied to New York, Boston and even San Francisco, Canada and England. By the 1850s, more than 1,500 people were employed in the quarry industry. More than 25 ships transported the stone. By the 1850s, shipbuilding became more important as an industry, and the economic center of town shifted toward the Gildersleeve area. Immigrants from Ireland, then Sweden, then (to a lesser extent) Italy came to town to work the quarries.[1]

Portland's oldest church is the First Congregational Church. In 1710 a meeting was held for the building of a meetinghouse for preaching. The Connecticut General Assembly approved "parish privileges" in 1714. After a vociferous controversy, a location for the new "Third Ecclesiastical Society of Middletown" meetinghouse was decided upon at "Hall Hill". On October 25, 1721, Rev. Daniel Newell, the first pastor, was ordained. The Bristol, Connecticut native and Yale College graduate died in 1731. In 1748 a new meetinghouse was built, and in 1843 the name of the society was changed to the "First Ecclesiastical Society of Portland."[3]

Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Portland CT

Enrolling in the right sonographer degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to embarking on a fulfilling new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for extended periods and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional helpful talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Tech Degree. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are considering. This is the case whether you select an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each program, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Portland CT.