How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near New Portland Maine
Once you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near New Portland ME, it’s time to start the procedure of picking a school. First, you have to find the ideal program that will provide the necessary instruction to become a skilled professional. And given that some states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each college so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one start? Many potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location should be considered 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 sponsor internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training options that are available.
Ultrasound Tech Occupation Description
There are several professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in New Portland ME clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work tasks of a sonogram tech 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 testing and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
- Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Evaluating results and identifying necessity for additional testing
Sonographers must regularly assess the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.
Sonogram Technician Degrees Available
Sonogram technician enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to finalize. Another option for those who have previously earned 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 related medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to consider is that almost all ultrasound technician colleges do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many colleges set up with New Portland ME clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Maine or whichever state you decide to practice in.
Ultrasound Tech Online Schools
As earlier discussed, almost all sonogram technician schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Practical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local New Portland ME hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the remainder of the classes and training can be attended online in your New Portland home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. In addition online colleges are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But similarly as with every sonographer school you are considering, verify that the online program you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant 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 convenience of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal option for you.
Topics to Ask Ultrasound Tech Colleges
After you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the New Portland ME area. Certainly location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification as well. But there are additional variables that you must also take into account, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they provide internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are some questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech school prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? Most ultrasound technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm 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 an extensive assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous New Portland ME employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level positions.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the ultrasound technician schools you are reviewing have relationships with New Portland ME clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the New Portland healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their New Portland ME home. Those 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 concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably 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 average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program as well.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the sonographer school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the New Portland ME area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near New Portland ME?
If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near New Portland Maine, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.
Portland, Maine
Portland is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine, with a population of 67,067 as of 2017.[5] The Greater Portland metropolitan area is home to over half a million people, more than one-third of Maine's total population, making it the most populous metro in northern New England (an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont). Portland is Maine's economic center, with an economy that relies on the service sector and tourism. The Old Port district is a popular destination known for its 19th century architecture and nightlife. Marine industry still plays an important role in the city's economy, with an active waterfront that supports fishing and commercial shipping. The Port of Portland is the largest tonnage seaport in New England. The city has also seen growth in the technology sector, with companies such as WEX building headquarters in the city. The city seal depicts a phoenix rising from ashes, which is a reference to the recoveries from four devastating fires.[6] Portland was named after the English Isle of Portland, Dorset. The city of Portland, Oregon was named after Portland, Maine.[7]
Native Americans originally called the Portland peninsula Machigonne ("Great Neck").[8] Portland was named for the English Isle of Portland, and the city of Portland, Oregon, was in turn named for Portland, Maine.[9] The first European settler was Capt. Christopher Levett, an English naval captain granted 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) in 1623 to found a settlement in Casco Bay. A member of the Council for New England and agent for Ferdinando Gorges, Levett built a stone house where he left a company of ten men, then returned to England to write a book about his voyage to bolster support for the settlement.[10]Ultimately, the settlement was a failure and the fate of Levett's colonists is unknown. The explorer sailed from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony to meet John Winthrop in 1630, but never returned to Maine. Fort Levett in the harbor is named for him.
The peninsula was first permanently settled in 1632 as a fishing and trading village named Casco.[8] When the Massachusetts Bay Colony took over Casco Bay in 1658, the town's name changed again to Falmouth. In 1676, the village was destroyed by the Abenaki during King Philip's War. It was rebuilt. During King William's War, a raiding party of French and their native allies attacked and largely destroyed it again in the Battle of Fort Loyal (1690).
Following the war, a section of Falmouth called The Neck developed as a commercial port and began to grow rapidly as a shipping center. In 1786, the citizens of Falmouth formed a separate town in Falmouth Neck and named it Portland, after the isle off the coast of Dorset, England.[1] Portland's economy was greatly stressed by the Embargo Act of 1807 (prohibition of trade with the British), which ended in 1809, and the War of 1812, which ended in 1815.
Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Programs New Portland ME
Enrolling in the right sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to initiating a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for extended periods with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and move heavy machines. Other preferred talents include technical proficiency, the ability to remain calm 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 Ultrasound Technician Programs. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are considering. This is true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in New Portland ME.
Other Ultrasound Locations in Maine
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
