Medical Sonography Programs Key Biscayne FL - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Technician School near Key Biscayne Florida

Key Biscayne FL ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Key Biscayne FL, the next step is to start the procedure of choosing a school. To begin with, you must find the right program that will provide the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And since some states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each school in order to evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Most prospective students will start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional important factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training options that are offered.

Sonogram Tech Work Summary

Key Biscayne FL sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Key Biscayne FL clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job duties of a sonogram tech can include:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining necessity for further testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Key Biscayne FL ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete. Another alternative for individuals 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 relevant health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to consider is that the majority of ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges organize with Key Biscayne FL clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in Florida or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Sonographer Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Key Biscayne FL As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Practical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Key Biscayne FL outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes can be attended online in your Key Biscayne home. This is especially convenient for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than on campus alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But similarly as with any sonographer school you are reviewing, verify that the online school 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 motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school could be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Key Biscayne FL ultrasound tech schools Now that you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of assessing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Key Biscayne FL area. Certainly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification also. But there are additional factors that you must also take into consideration, for example if the schools are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Key Biscayne FL health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the ultrasound tech programs you are assessing have partnerships with Key Biscayne FL clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional connections in the Key Biscayne medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the sonographer schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Florida healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Key Biscayne FL home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern 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 choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps 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 for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Key Biscayne FL area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask 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 Key Biscayne FL?

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

Key Biscayne, Florida

Key Biscayne lies south of Miami Beach and east of Miami. The village is connected to Miami via the Rickenbacker Causeway, originally built in 1947. Because of its low elevation and direct exposure to the Atlantic Ocean, it is usually among the first Miami areas to be evacuated before an oncoming hurricane.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2). 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (8.63%) is water.

While there had been earlier schemes to develop a town on Key Biscayne, it wasn't until the opening of the four-mile (6 km) long Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami to Virginia Key and on to Key Biscayne in 1947 that the island was opened up to large scale residential development. The northern two-thirds of the island had been operated as the largest coconut plantation in the continental United States during the first half of the 20th century. In 1940 the Matheson family donated over 800 acres (3.2 km2) of their land to Dade County for a public park (Crandon Park) in exchange for a commitment that the county would build a causeway to the island. The remaining Matheson property, stretching across the middle of the island, was then sold off to developers. Starting in 1951, the Mackle Construction Company offered new homes on the island for US$9,540, with just US$500 down. A U.S. Post Office contract branch was opened, the Community Church started holding services in an old coconut-husking shed, and the Key Biscayne Elementary School opened in 1952.[6]

The southern third of Key Biscayne, which included Cape Florida, was owned by James Deering and, after his death, by his brother Charles, for 35 years. In 1948 José Manuel Áleman, a Cuban politician in exile, bought the Cape Florida property from the Deering estate. After Áleman died in 1951, his widow, Elena Santeiro Garcia, added to her Cape Florida property by buying an ocean-to-bay strip that had been part of the Matheson property. This strip included a canal that had been dug by William Matheson in the 1920s, and which extended from the bay across most of the island. The land north of this canal was developed as part of what is now the Village of Key Biscayne. Garcia sold the Cape Florida property in 1966 to the state of Florida. This land became Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which opened January 1, 1967.[7]

Find the Right Medical Sonography Programs Key Biscayne FL

Choosing the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is an important first step to launching a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for extended durations and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machinery. Other preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain levelheaded when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Medical Sonography Programs. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are considering. This is true whether you select an online program or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can assess each program, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an sonographer in Key Biscayne FL.