Ultrasound Sonography Schools Sebago ME - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Sebago Maine

Sebago ME ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Sebago ME, the next step is to start the process of choosing a school. To begin with, you must find the right program that will furnish the proper training to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each school in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Many students will start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Sonogram Tech Job Description

Sebago ME sonographer testing pregnant woman 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. Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Sebago ME clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily work duties of an ultrasound tech can consist of:

Keeping records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Sonographers must routinely assess the safety and performance of their equipment. 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 remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Available

Sebago ME ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically involve around 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to complete. Another option for individuals who have previously obtained 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 related health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that most ultrasound technician colleges do have a clinical training component as a portion of their course of study. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many schools sponsor with Sebago ME hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to satisfy the licensing or certification requirements in Maine or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Sonogram Tech Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Sebago ME As aforementioned, virtually all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can earn a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at an authorized off campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Sebago ME hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes can be attended online in your Sebago home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently less expensive than on-campus options. Costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But similarly as with every sonographer program you are considering, check that the online school you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes away from 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 Programs

Questions to ask Sebago ME ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have determined the type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Sebago ME area. Naturally location will be critical if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification also. But there are other factors that you must also take into account, for example if the schools are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonography program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Sebago ME health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the sonogram technician schools you are reviewing have partnerships with Sebago ME clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Sebago healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great 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 Sebago ME home. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student 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 an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Sebago ME area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Sebago ME?

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

Sebago Lake

Sebago Lake is the deepest and second largest lake in the U.S. state of Maine. The lake is 316 feet (96 m) deep at its deepest point, with a mean depth of 101 feet (31 m), covers about 45 square miles (117 km2) in surface area, has a length of 12 miles (19 km) and a shoreline length of 105 miles (169 km).[2] The surface is around 270 feet (82 m) above sea level, so the deep bottom is below the present sea level.[3] It is in Cumberland County, Maine, and bordered by the towns of Casco, Naples, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham. The seasonally occupied town of Frye Island is on an island in the lake.[4]

The lake is connected to Brandy Pond by the Songo River and eventually to Long Lake in Naples. The name comes from a local Native American tribe. The lake is drained primarily by the Presumpscot River. The lake and rivers were an early transportation corridor from the coast to the interior, and encouraged the first incorporated European settlement of interior Maine in 1762.[5] Sebago Lake was linked to Portland harbor by the Cumberland and Oxford Canal in 1832. The outlet to the Presumpscot River was controlled for the canal by the Eel Weir Dam and the Head Dam, owned and operated by the Oriental Powder Company after the canal was replaced by a railroad[6] and by the S. D. Warren Paper Mill after 1878.[2][7]

The lake was a comparatively safe place for training military pilots from NAS Brunswick about flying over water; but several navy planes were lost over the lake during World War II. A Grumman TBF Avenger from the Lewiston Naval Auxiliary Air Facility ditched and sank near Raymond on 16 August 1943. Two low-flying British Vought Corsairs from Brunswick were lost after a mid-air collision over the lake near Raymond on 16 May 1944; and a third Corsair flew into the lake on July 16.[8] In December 2014 the first Sebago Lake beach landing in the history of the world was made by a yellow Supercub.

Sebago Lake is the primary water supply for the Portland Water District, which serves the Greater Portland region and about 15% of Maine's population. The lake's watershed is more than 50 miles (80 km) long and covers parts of 24 Maine towns.[9]

Find the Right Ultrasound Sonography Schools Sebago ME

Picking the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is an important first step to commencing a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other helpful talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep collected when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Sonography Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing. This holds true whether you choose an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each school, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Sebago ME.