Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs Augusta GA

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Augusta Georgia

Augusta GA ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Augusta GA, the next step is to begin the process of choosing a college. First, you have to find the ideal program that will furnish the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And since some states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each school in order to assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one start? Many potential students will start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location need to be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Work Description

Augusta GA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several 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 function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Augusta GA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job tasks of a sonogram tech may include:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining need for supplemental testing

Sonographers must regularly assess the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available

Augusta GA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the option to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually require around 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete. Another option for individuals who have already 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 only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that almost all sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many schools set up through Augusta GA hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Georgia or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Augusta GA As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Augusta GA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the balance of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Augusta home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that keep working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online schools are often less costly than on campus alternatives. Costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But similarly as with any sonography school you are reviewing, verify that the online program you select is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for certification, licensing 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 degree could be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools

Questions to ask Augusta GA ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you will access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Augusta GA area. Obviously location will be important if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification as well. But there are additional things that you must also take into consideration, for example if the programs are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonography college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Augusta GA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have associations with Augusta GA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Augusta health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the sonographer schools you are considering 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 great relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Augusta GA home. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program 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 usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Augusta GA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Augusta GA?

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

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta (US: /əˈɡʌstə/), officially Augusta–Richmond County, is a consolidated city-county on the central eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia. The city lies across the Savannah River from South Carolina at the head of its navigable portion. Georgia's second-largest city after Atlanta, Augusta is located in the Piedmont section of the state.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Augusta–Richmond County had a 2017 estimated population of 197,166, not counting the unconsolidated cities of Blythe and Hephzibah.[3] It is the 122nd largest city in the United States. The process of consolidation between the City of Augusta and Richmond County began with a 1995 referendum in the two jurisdictions. The merger was completed on July 1, 1996. Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta metropolitan area, situated in both Georgia and South Carolina on both sides of the Savannah River. In 2017 it had an estimated population of 600,151, making it the second-largest metro area in the state. It is the 93rd largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Augusta was established in 1736 and is named for Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719–1772), the bride of Frederick, Prince of Wales and the mother of the British monarch George III.[1] During the American Civil War, Augusta housed the principal Confederate powder works.[8] Augusta's warm climate made it a major resort town of the Eastern United States in the early and mid-20th century. Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters golf tournament each spring. The Masters brings over 200,000 visitors from across the world to the Augusta National Golf Club. Membership at Augusta National is widely considered to be the most exclusive in the sport of golf across the world.

Augusta lies approximately two hours east of downtown Atlanta by car via I-20. The city is home to Fort Gordon, a major U.S. Army base. In 2016, it was announced that the new National Cyber Security Headquarters would be based in Augusta, bringing as many as 10,000 cyber security specialists to the Fort Gordon area.

Find the Right Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs Augusta GA

Picking the ideal sonographer degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to embarking on a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged periods and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other helpful skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep levelheaded when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing. This is the case whether you choose an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each school, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your objective to practice as an sonographer in Augusta GA.