Ultrasound Technician University Catonsville MD - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Catonsville Maryland

Catonsville MD ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Catonsville MD, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a school. First, you must find the ideal program that will furnish the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, 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 investigate each school so that you can assess and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Many individuals will begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Work Summary

Catonsville MD sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Catonsville MD clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work functions of a sonogram tech can involve:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and details 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
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for further testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely 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 degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available

Catonsville MD ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take about 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to complete. Another alternative for individuals who have already 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 medical field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a clinical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges sponsor with Catonsville MD clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Maryland or whichever state you decide to work in.

Online Sonographer Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Catonsville MD As aforementioned, nearly all ultrasound tech schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can earn a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at an authorized off-campus facility. Clinical training can often be satisfied through an internship at a local Catonsville MD outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the rest of the training and classes can be attended online in your Catonsville home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are many times less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But similarly as with any sonographer program you are looking at, make sure that the online school you enroll in is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Catonsville MD ultrasound tech schools Now that you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Catonsville MD area. Naturally location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are other variables that you must also take into account, such as if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internship programs. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are some questions that you may want to ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Tech Schools Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Catonsville MD health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the ultrasound technician colleges you are assessing have associations with Catonsville MD hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Catonsville medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Maryland healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Catonsville MD residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes 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 bear in mind is that if you decide 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often 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 likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the sonographer college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Catonsville MD area, make sure 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 have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Catonsville MD?

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

Catonsville, Maryland

Catonsville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 41,567 at the 2010 census.[3] The community lies to the west of Baltimore along the city's border. Catonsville contains the majority of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), a major public research university with close to 14,000 students.

Before European colonists settled in present-day Catonsville, the area was occupied by the Piscataway tribe. These Native Americans had good relations with the first European settlers in the area, but wars and diseases caused their population to decline. The remainder of the tribe’s population gradually dispersed. In the early 1700s, colonists slowly settled in the area, and roads were built. The first of these settlements in the present-day Catonsville area was Johnnycake Town, settled in the 1720s.[4] Johnnycake Town was named after the kind of cornbread sold to travelers at the local tavern. Although Johnnycake Town has since disappeared from maps, its main roads, Johnnycake Road, Old Frederick Road, and Rolling Road still exist today.[5] Rolling Road was used to transport tobacco from plantations south to the Patapsco River on horse-drawn wagons. In 1787, the Ellicott family built a road, called the Frederick Turnpike, to transport goods from their flour mill, Ellicott Mills, to the Baltimore harbor. The turnpike was built just south of where Johnnycake Town was. Charles Carroll, who was the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, owned land next to the newly built road. He instructed his son-in-law, Richard Caton, to develop the area along the road. He gave his name to the community and called it “Catonville”, although the name was changed to “Catonsville” in the 1830s. For decades, the village remained as a quiet farming community. Businesses sprang up along the Frederick Turnpike to cater to travelers traveling from Ellicott City to the Baltimore harbor. Naturally, Catonsville served as a layover stop for the travelers, and the town increasingly grew and developed.[4] The pleasant surroundings attracted wealthy Baltimorean merchants, who, eager to escape the summer heat, built large Victorian and colonial summer homes there. Many of these homes still stand today.[6] Starting in 1862, horsecar services connected Catonsville to Baltimore, and in 1884, the Catonsville Short Line railroad was built, providing 8 roundtrip trains to Baltimore daily. This allowed people to live in Catonsville but commute to work in Baltimore. Commuter traffic exploded in the 1890s with the construction of electric streetcar lines and fancy housing developments. Catonsville had become one of the first commuter suburbs in the United States. Baltimore had tried to annex Catonsville, although their attempts have all been failures. Their last attempt was in 1918. Homes of all sizes were being constructed rapidly until the 1950s when much of land around the Frederick Turnpike had been converted into housing.

In 2002, the Maryland legislature issued a proclamation declaring Catonsville to be "Music City, Maryland", because of the concentration of musical retail stores, venues and educational facilities in the area.

Catonsville is located at 39°16′26″N 76°44′17″W / 39.27389°N 76.73806°W / 39.27389; -76.73806 (39.273756, −76.738012).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 14.0 square miles (36 km2), all of it land.

Find the Right Ultrasound Technician University Catonsville MD

Choosing the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is an important first step to initiating a fulfilling new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended durations and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other preferred talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by an angry or anxious 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 University. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing. This is true whether you enroll in an online degree or commute 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 best program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an sonographer in Catonsville MD.