Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Franklin Park IL

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Franklin Park Illinois

Franklin Park IL ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Franklin Park IL, it’s time to start the procedure of picking a college. To begin with, you have to find the ideal program that will provide the proper training to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each college so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? A number of potential students will start by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location should be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other critical factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Summary

Franklin Park IL 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 basic job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. While many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Franklin Park IL hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily work tasks of a sonogram tech can include:

Keeping records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining necessity for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degrees Offered

Franklin Park IL ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 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 relevant health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that most sonographer programs do have a clinical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which many colleges organize through Franklin Park IL clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in Illinois or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Franklin Park IL As aforementioned, nearly all ultrasound tech schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either held in an on campus laboratory or at an authorized off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Franklin Park IL hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the balance of the training and classes can be attended online in your Franklin Park home. This is particularly convenient for those students that keep working while earning their degrees. Plus online schools are often more affordable than on-campus options. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But similarly as with any sonographer program you are reviewing, verify that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Sonography Programs

Questions to ask Franklin Park IL ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of assessing and comparing sonogram technician colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Franklin Park IL area. Of course location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification as well. But there are additional variables that you must also take into account, for example if the programs are accredited and if they sponsor internships. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer school before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it might also obtain 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. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Franklin Park IL health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the ultrasound tech schools you are interested in have relationships with Franklin Park IL hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional connections in the Franklin Park medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job assistance 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 Illinois healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Franklin Park IL home. Individuals who have chosen 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 importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer college you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Franklin Park IL area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Franklin Park IL?

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

Franklin Park, Illinois

As of the census of 2010, there were 18,333 people, 6,178 households, and 4,486 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,843.4 people per square mile (1,483.9/km²). There were 6,569 housing units at an average density of 1,377.1 per square mile (529.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 74.7% White, 1.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 18.0% some other race, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 43.1% of the population.[3]

There were 6,178 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were headed by married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96, and the average family size was 3.51.[3]

In the village, the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.1 males.[3]

For the period 2007-11, the estimated median annual income for a household in the village was $55,500, and the median income for a family was $62,232. Male full-time workers had a median income of $44,502 versus $31,186 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,925. About 11.2% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.[7]

Find the Right Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Franklin Park IL

Enrolling in the right ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is an important first step to commencing a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for lengthy durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Other desirable skills include technical aptitude, the ability to remain collected 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 Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools. However, as we have covered in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing. This holds true whether you choose an online degree or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate 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 proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your objective to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Franklin Park IL.