Obstetric Ultrasound Technician Schools Statham GA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Technician Degree Program near Statham Georgia

Statham GA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Statham GA, the next step is to begin the procedure of choosing a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each school so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? Many individuals will begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional critical 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 detail later in this article. But first, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Sonographer Job Description

Statham GA 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). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Statham GA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Typical daily work duties of a sonogram technician may consist of:

Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for supplemental testing

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

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Available

Statham GA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the option to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finish. Another option for those who have previously received 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 medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that most ultrasound technician colleges do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which many schools set up with Statham GA clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in Georgia or whichever state you decide to work in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Statham GA As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at an authorized off campus facility. Clinical training can typically be fulfilled through an internship at a local Statham GA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the balance of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Statham home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online colleges are often less costly than traditional options. Costs for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But similarly as with every sonographer program you are looking at, check that the online school you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Sonogram Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Statham GA ultrasound tech schools Once you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Statham GA area. Certainly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other variables that you must also take into account, such as if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonography program before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? Most sonogram technician colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Statham GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing have relationships with Statham GA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Statham medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Statham GA home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Statham GA area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn 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 Statham GA?

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

Statham, Georgia

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2), of which 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 1.08%, is water.[4]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,040 people, 731 households, and 551 families residing in the city. The population density was 577.9 people per square mile (223.1/km²). There were 774 housing units at an average density of 219.3 per square mile (84.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.35% White, 14.66% African American, 0.69% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 731 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city, the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

Find the Right Obstetric Ultrasound Technician Schools Statham GA

Selecting the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for extended periods and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain collected 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 Obstetric Ultrasound Technician Schools. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This is true whether you enroll in an online degree or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can assess each college, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Statham GA.