Accredited Medical Sonography Programs Auburn GA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Auburn Georgia

Auburn GA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Auburn GA, the next step is to begin the process of picking a school. To begin with, you have to find the right program that will furnish the appropriate instruction to become a qualified professional. And since a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s extremely important that you research each college so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? Many prospective students will begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location need to be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training options that are available.

Sonographer Occupation Description

Auburn GA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Auburn GA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job functions of a sonogram technician may include:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying need for further testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely assess 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 sustain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered

Auburn GA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually take about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have already obtained 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 instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that most ultrasound technician programs do have a clinical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Auburn GA clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification prerequisites in Georgia or whichever state you choose to work in.

Sonogram Tech Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Auburn GA As previously mentioned, nearly all ultrasound technician colleges 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 laboratory or at an authorized off-campus facility. Practical training can typically be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Auburn GA hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Auburn home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that keep working while earning their degrees. Plus online programs are many times less costly than on campus options. Costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just as with every sonographer school you are looking at, make sure that the online school you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important 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 convenience of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs

Questions to ask Auburn GA ultrasound tech schools After you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Auburn GA area. Of course location will be important if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier as well. But there are additional things that you should also take into consideration, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internships. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are some questions that you need ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? Most sonogram technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies 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 detailed assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Auburn GA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the sonogram technician colleges you are evaluating have relationships with Auburn GA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Auburn medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Auburn GA residence. Students who have opted 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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 kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Auburn GA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Auburn GA?

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

Auburn, Georgia

Auburn is located in western Barrow County at 34°1′0″N 83°49′55″W / 34.01667°N 83.83194°W / 34.01667; -83.83194 (34.016692, -83.831869).[5] It is 42 miles (68 km) northeast of downtown Atlanta and 27 miles (43 km) west of Athens.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.5 square miles (16.8 km2), of which 6.4 square miles (16.7 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.07 km2), or 0.39%, is water.[2]

As of 2010 Auburn had a population of 6,887. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 85.3% white, 4.9% black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 3.3% from some other race and 2.1% reporting two or more races. 7.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.[7]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 6,904 people, 2,260 households, and 1,846 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,293.3 people per square mile (499.2/km²). There were 2,322 housing units at an average density of 435.0 per square mile (167.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.80% White, 2.64% African American, 0.30% Native American, 4.17% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.23% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.35% of the population.

Find the Right Accredited Medical Sonography Programs Auburn GA

Selecting the right sonographer degree or certificate program is a vital first step to embarking on a fulfilling new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for extended durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently 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 converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Medical Sonography Programs. However, as we have covered in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This is the case whether you select an online program or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each program, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as an sonographer in Auburn GA.