Ultrasound Tech Classes Portland ME - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Technician Training Program near Portland Maine

Portland ME ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Portland ME, the next step is to begin the procedure of picking a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the appropriate training to become a qualified professional. And because a number of states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s very important that you research each college in order to evaluate and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? Most students will begin by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location should be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internships. These and other qualifications will be covered more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training options that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

Portland ME sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Portland ME hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily job functions of a sonogram tech may consist of:

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 testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining necessity for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently evaluate the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Offered

Portland ME ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require around 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have already received 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 require just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician colleges do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many colleges set up with Portland ME clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in Maine or whichever state you decide to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Portland ME As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive 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 facility. Clinical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Portland ME hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the remainder of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Portland home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online schools are frequently more affordable than on campus options. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be reduced as well. But similarly as with any ultrasound tech college you are looking at, check 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 crucial for licensing, certification and job placement (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 an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask Portland ME ultrasound tech schools After you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Portland ME area. Certainly location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification as well. But there are additional things that you must also take into account, for example if the programs are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are several questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech school before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? Most sonogram technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded 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 gone through an extensive review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Portland ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the ultrasound technician programs you are assessing have associations with Portland ME hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Portland health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Portland ME residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Portland ME area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Portland ME?

If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near 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 Tech Classes Portland ME

Selecting the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a vital first step to embarking on a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for prolonged periods and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional preferred skills include technical aptitude, the ability to remain levelheaded when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Tech Classes. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing. This holds true whether you select an online degree or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can assess each school, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Portland ME.