Maryland Archives - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Technician College near Stevensville Maryland

Stevensville MD ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Stevensville MD, it’s time to start the process of picking a school. First, you have to find the ideal program that will furnish the necessary instruction to become a qualified professional. And since some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each college in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? A number of potential students will start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost should be considered when making a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Occupation Summary

Stevensville MD sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Stevensville MD hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job tasks of a sonogram tech may involve:

Keeping records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining necessity for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the performance and safety of their machines. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Stevensville MD ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require about 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finalize. Another alternative for those who have previously obtained a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have received a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant health sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that almost all sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many colleges sponsor through Stevensville MD hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in Maryland or whatever state you choose to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Stevensville MD As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram technician schools have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can earn a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at an approved off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can typically be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Stevensville MD hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the remainder of the training and classes can be attended online in your Stevensville home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that continue working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online programs are many times less expensive than on-campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just as with every sonography school you are looking at, 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 important for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask Stevensville MD ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Stevensville MD area. Clearly location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier also. But there are additional factors that you should also take into account, for example if the programs are accredited and if they sponsor internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer school before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 gone through an extensive examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Stevensville MD health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the sonogram tech colleges you are interested in have associations with Stevensville MD clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Stevensville health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the sonographer schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Maryland healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Stevensville MD residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously 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 keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the sonographer school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Stevensville MD area, make sure 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 enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Stevensville MD?

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

Stevensville, Maryland

Stevensville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, and is the county's most populous place among both CDPs and municipalities. The community is the eastern terminus of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The Stevensville Historic District is one of only two registered historic districts in the county, the other being the Centreville Historic District.

In addition to the Stevensville Historic District, the Christ Church, Cray House, Friendship, Legg's Dependence, Mattapax, and Stevensville Bank are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Stevensville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[4]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 5,880 people, 2,071 households, and 1,609 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 958.0 people per square mile (369.8/km²). There were 2,165 housing units at an average density of 352.7/sq mi (136.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.88% White, 2.60% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race accounted for 1.02% of the population.

Find the Right Medical Sonography Degree Stevensville MD

Picking the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to embarking on a rewarding new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from meeting 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 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other helpful skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep levelheaded when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Medical Sonography Degree. However, as we have covered 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 choose an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can assess each school, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can achieve your objective to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Stevensville MD.