Sonogram Tech Programs New Lenox IL - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech College near New Lenox Illinois

New Lenox IL ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near New Lenox IL, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a school. First, you must find the right program that will provide the necessary training to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each program in order to assess and compare your options. But just where does one start? Most potential students will start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost should be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internships. These and additional qualifiers will be covered more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are available.

Sonogram Tech Work Summary

New Lenox IL sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple professional 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 description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in New Lenox IL clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily work tasks of a sonogram tech may involve:

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

Sonographers must routinely gauge the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical 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 enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available

New Lenox IL ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech enrollees have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally involve around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to finish. Another option for individuals who have already 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 sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to consider is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a clinical training component as a portion of their course of study. It often may be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many schools organize through New Lenox IL hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Illinois or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Sonogram Tech Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in New Lenox IL As previously mentioned, nearly all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can earn a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local New Lenox IL hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes can be attended online in your New Lenox home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online programs are many times less costly than on campus alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But similarly as with any ultrasound tech college you are looking at, confirm that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask New Lenox IL ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of evaluating and comparing sonogram technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you will attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the New Lenox IL area. Of course location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional factors that you must also take into account, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they provide 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 may want to ask each sonography college before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive examination of their instructors 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. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous New Lenox IL health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the ultrasound tech colleges you are interested in have associations with New Lenox IL clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the New Lenox health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Illinois healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their New Lenox IL home. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously 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 keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the New Lenox IL area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near New Lenox IL?

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

New Lenox, Illinois

New Lenox is located approximately 36 miles southwest of downtown Chicago at 41°30′30″N 87°58′14″W / 41.50833°N 87.97056°W / 41.50833; -87.97056 (41.508251, -87.970597).[3] According to the 2010 census, New Lenox has a total area of 15.683 square miles (40.62 km2), of which 15.66 square miles (40.56 km2) (or 99.85%) is land and 0.023 square miles (0.06 km2) (or 0.15%) is water.[4]

The average temperatures in New Lenox range from 21°F (-6°C) in January to 73°F (23°C) in July. There are 137 days of the daily low temperature being below or at freezing (138 if its a leap). There are 86 days where the daily high is above the 80°F (27°C) mark.

What is now the Village of New Lenox was first settled in the late 1820s, in the area of Gougar crossing (Route 30 and Gougar Road) and it was called VanHorne Point. New Lenox Township was established when Will County was created in 1852 with the building of the Rock Island Railroad between Chicago and Rock Island, Illinois. Originally named Tracey in honor of the general superintendent of the Rock Island Railroad. Mr. Tracy later requested that the community be renamed. The first supervisor of the Rock Island Railway for New Lenox Township, John Van Duser, named the Township New Lenox from the town Lenox, New York, which was Van Duser's hometown. In 1863, the name for the new settlement officially became New Lenox Township.

New Lenox was not officially created until October 4, 1946. In 1945, 46 community leaders, F. Carlton Cole, Walter Baers and others reasoned that the community should be incorporated. Recognizing the benefits and the potential growth of the area, a community vote in the spring of 1946 resulted in the authorization for the creation of the Village of New Lenox. On October 4, 1946, the State of Illinois officially certified that New Lenox was legally organized and incorporated as a Village in the State of Illinois.[5]

Find the Right Sonogram Tech Programs New Lenox IL

Enrolling in the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to embarking on a fulfilling new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for extended durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain calm when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonogram Tech Programs. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This is true 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 evaluate each school, 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 accomplish your objective to practice as an sonographer in New Lenox IL.