Ultrasound Tech Certificate Programs Southbury CT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Technician School near Southbury Connecticut

Southbury CT ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Southbury CT, the next step is to start the process of choosing a college. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will furnish the necessary instruction to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each school so that you can assess and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Many prospective students will begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location must be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be covered more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training options that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Work Description

Southbury CT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Southbury CT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Typical daily job duties of an ultrasound technician 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
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying need for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly evaluate the performance and safety of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Offered

Southbury CT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally involve around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to complete. Another alternative for those who have previously 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 related health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that the majority of sonographer schools do have a practical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which many colleges set up through Southbury CT hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one 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 work in.

Online Sonogram Tech Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Southbury CT As aforementioned, nearly all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can earn a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus facility. Clinical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Southbury CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the balance of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Southbury home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are often less expensive than on campus options. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be reduced as well. But just as with any sonography school you are reviewing, check that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree could be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Sonogram Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Southbury CT ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You may first want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Southbury CT area. Of course location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are additional things that you must also take into account, for example if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech school prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 undergone a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. 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 quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Southbury CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the sonogram technician colleges you are reviewing have partnerships with Southbury CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Southbury health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the sonographer programs you are assessing 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 corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Southbury CT residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online 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 school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Southbury 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 credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Southbury CT?

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

Southbury, Connecticut

Southbury comprises sprawling rural country areas, suburban neighborhoods, and historic districts. It is a short distance from major business and commercial centers, and is within 80 miles (130 km) of New York City and 40 miles (64 km) of Hartford; the latter the capital of Connecticut.

The town of Southbury was one of several towns formed out of a parcel of land purchased from the Paugussett Indians in 1659. Southbury was originally part of Woodbury, which was settled in 1673. A meetinghouse for the Southbury Ecclesiastical Society was built in 1733, and in 1845 the town of Southbury was incorporated.[2] Although incorporated as part of Litchfield County, Southbury has been in New Haven County for most of its existence.[3]

In the 1800s, water power became essential to the growth of Southbury's industries, which included mills, tanneries, and distilleries.[4] The power for these industries came primarily from the Pomperaug River[5] and the Housatonic River. As the industrial revolution progressed, many of these businesses left for Waterbury.

In the 1920s, Russian expatriates Count Ilya Tolstoy (son of the author Leo Tolstoy) and George Grebenstchikoff founded an artists' colony at one end of Main Street, known as Churaevka (or "Russian Village"). At its peak, Churaevka had a printing press used by Russian and Ukrainian scholars and novelists. Visitors to the colony included the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. Most of its immigrant population is now gone; however, St. Sergius Chapel, designed by Nicholas Roerich and built in 1932-1933, remains. Churaevka is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Certificate Programs Southbury CT

Selecting the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a vital first step to initiating a fulfilling new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other beneficial skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by 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 Ultrasound Tech Certificate Programs. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each program you are considering. This is the case whether you choose an online degree or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can compare 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 goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Southbury CT.