Prenatal Ultrasound Technician Schools Gaithersburg MD

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Gaithersburg Maryland

Gaithersburg MD ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Gaithersburg MD, it’s time to start the procedure of selecting a school. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will furnish the necessary training to become a qualified professional. And because some states do mandate 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 extremely important that you investigate each program so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one begin? A number of potential students will begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other significant factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

Gaithersburg MD sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While many work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Gaithersburg MD clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily work tasks of an ultrasound tech may include:

Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Sonographers must routinely gauge the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Offered

Gaithersburg MD ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually require around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to finish. Another alternative 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 relevant health sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that most 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 many colleges organize with Gaithersburg MD hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Maryland or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Gaithersburg MD As previously mentioned, nearly all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can earn a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at an approved off campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Gaithersburg MD hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the remainder of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Gaithersburg home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online colleges are many times less expensive than traditional alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech school you are looking at, verify that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes could be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Gaithersburg MD ultrasound tech schools Once you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Gaithersburg MD area. Obviously location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification also. But there are additional variables that you must also take into account, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of sonogram tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies 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 undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Gaithersburg MD employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have partnerships with Gaithersburg MD clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Gaithersburg medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the sonographer schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Maryland healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Gaithersburg MD residence. 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. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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 likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the sonographer college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Gaithersburg MD area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Gaithersburg MD?

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

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Gaithersburg (pronunciation (help·info)), officially the City of Gaithersburg, is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland. At the time of the 2010 U.S. Census, Gaithersburg had a population of 59,933, making it the fourth largest incorporated city in the state, behind Baltimore, Frederick, and Rockville.[6] Gaithersburg is located to the northwest of Washington, D.C., and is considered a suburb and a primary city within the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. Gaithersburg was incorporated as a town in 1878 and as a city in 1968.

Gaithersburg is divided into east and west sections, separated by Interstate 270. The eastern section of the city is older and is the original portion of the town before more recent growth. Landmarks and buildings from that time can still be seen in many places but especially in the historic central business district of Gaithersburg called "Olde Towne". The east side also includes Lakeforest Mall, City Hall, and the Montgomery County Fair grounds, and Bohrer Park (a well-known joint community recreation center and outdoor water park for kids and families). The west side of the city has many wealthier neighborhoods that were designed with smart growth techniques and embrace New Urbanism. These include the award-winning Kentlands community, the Lakelands community, and the Washingtonian Center (better known as The Rio), a popular shopping/business district. Consumers often come to this area during Black Friday and other shopping holidays for the deals and variety of huge brand name stores like Target and Dick's Sporting Goods, and smaller stores like Francesca's and Blue Mercury. Two New Urbanism communities are under construction, including Watkins Mill Town Center (Casey East and West), and the massive "Science City". The state has a bus rapid transit line, Corridor Cities Transitway or "CCT", planned for the western portion of the city starting at Shady Grove Metro Station and connecting all the high density western Gaithersburg neighborhoods with a total of eight stops planned in the city.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is headquartered in Gaithersburg directly west of I-270.[N 1] Other major employers in the city include IBM, Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services business area headquarters, MedImmune (a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca), and the French multinational corporation, Sodexo. Gaithersburg is also the location of the garrison of the U.S. Army Reserve's 220th Military Police Brigade.

Gaithersburg was settled in 1765 as a small agricultural settlement known as Log Town near the present day Summit Hall on Ralph Crabb's 1725 land grant "Deer Park".[8] The northern portion of the land grant was purchased by Henry Brookes, and he built his brick home "Montpelier" there, starting first with a log cabin in 1780/3. This 1,000 acre tract became part of the landmark IBM Headquarters complex built on the then-new I-270 Interstate "Industrial", now "Technology", Corridor in the late 1960s to the 1970s. Benjamin Gaither married Henry's daughter Margaret, and Benjamin and Margaret inherited a portion of Henry's land prior to Henry's death in 1807. Gaither built his home on the land in 1802.[9] By the 1850s the area had ceased to be called Log Town and was known to inhabitants as Gaithersburg.[10]

Find the Right Prenatal Ultrasound Technician Schools Gaithersburg MD

Picking the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is an important first step to commencing a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to satisfying academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for extended periods and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other desirable talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay 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 Prenatal Ultrasound Technician Schools. However, as we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This holds 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 can 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 achieve your objective to work as an sonographer in Gaithersburg MD.