Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician Schools Stockbridge GA

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Stockbridge Georgia

Stockbridge GA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Stockbridge GA, the next step is to begin the procedure of choosing a college. First, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the necessary training to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each college in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Most 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 making a decision, but there are other critical factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training options that are available.

Sonographer Work Description

Stockbridge GA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called 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 perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Stockbridge GA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work duties of a sonogram tech can include:

Preserving 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 re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying necessity for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Stockbridge GA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish. Another option for those who have already obtained a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained 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 take just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Stockbridge GA clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification prerequisites in Georgia or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Stockbridge GA As previously mentioned, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So although you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Stockbridge GA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the remainder of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Stockbridge home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently more affordable than on-campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech program you are considering, check that the online school you choose 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 licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes could be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Sonography Programs

Questions to ask Stockbridge GA ultrasound tech schools When you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Stockbridge GA area. Of course location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional things that you must also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they offer internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are several questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of ultrasound tech colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Stockbridge GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the ultrasound technician colleges you are assessing have partnerships with Stockbridge GA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Stockbridge medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Stockbridge GA home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the ultrasound tech school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Stockbridge GA area, check 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 need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Stockbridge GA?

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

Stockbridge, Georgia

The area was settled in 1829 when Concord Methodist Church was organized near present-day Old Stagecoach Road. It was granted a post office on April 5, 1847, named for a traveling professor, Levi Stockbridge, who passed through the area many times before the post office was built. He was said to be well known and respected in his namesake community. Others contend that the city was named after Thomas Stock, who was State Surveyor and president of the Georgia State Senate in the 1820s.

In 1881, the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad was to pass through Stockbridge between Macon and Atlanta. The settlers who owned the land about Old Stockbridge asked such a high price for their land that two prominent Atlanta citizens, John W. Grant and George W. Adair, bought a tract about a mile south of Old Stockbridge and offered lots at a reasonable price. Here the railroad built their depot and many lots were sold. The depot was located about 600 feet (180 m) north of what is now North Henry Blvd but was destroyed by the Southern Railway in the early 1980s.

On May 6, 1992, Mayor Rudy Kelley received a letter from John Stockbridge of South Carolina requesting a letter of "Greeting" from the City of Stockbridge to the attendees of the first reunion of the Stockbridge family. In his letter, he mentioned that he grew up in Georgia and had been told as a child that the city of Stockbridge was named after his great-great-grandfather Levi Stockbridge, who had traveled back and forth from the North to his property in Florida and stopped here on his journey.

It is not certain that Levi Stockbridge was the individual for whom the citizens of the community named their post office and village. However, through John Stockbridge's letters and many conversations with him, it is believed that this is the rightful Professor Stockbridge who had been unknown for 146 years.

Find the Right Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician Schools Stockbridge GA

Picking the ideal sonographer degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to embarking on a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other beneficial skills include technical aptitude, the ability to remain collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at. This holds true whether you choose an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each college, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Stockbridge GA.