Ultrasound Tech Programs Near Me Kensington MD - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Kensington Maryland

Kensington MD ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Kensington MD, the next step is to start the process of choosing a school. First, you must find the ideal program that will provide the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And since some states do require that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each college in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Many individuals will begin by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost should be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional 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 covered more in detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training options that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Job Summary

Kensington MD sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several acceptable 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 basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Kensington MD hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily work functions of an ultrasound tech can involve:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Escorting 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

Ultrasound techs must frequently assess the performance and safety of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

Kensington MD ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech enrollees have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually require around 18 months to 2 years to finish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to finish. Another alternative for individuals who have already earned a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to consider is that most sonographer colleges do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous schools organize through Kensington MD clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification prerequisites in Maryland or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Kensington MD As previously mentioned, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive 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 by means of an internship at a local Kensington MD outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the remainder of the training and classes can be attended online in your Kensington home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online programs are often more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But just as with any sonography school you are considering, check that the online program you select is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly crucial for licensing, certification and finding employment (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 online classes could be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Sonogram Tech Programs

Questions to ask Kensington MD ultrasound tech schools Once you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Kensington MD area. Naturally location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into account, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are some questions that you may want to ask each sonography school prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to confirm 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive review of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Kensington MD employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the sonogram technician schools you are assessing have associations with Kensington MD clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Kensington medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the sonographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Maryland 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 college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Kensington MD residence. Individuals who have chosen 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 importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the ultrasound tech program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Kensington MD area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Kensington MD?

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

Kensington, Maryland

The area around the Rock Creek basin where Kensington is located was primarily agricultural until 1873, when the B&O Railroad completed the Metropolitan Branch which traversed Montgomery County. A community arose where the new railroad line intersected the old Rockville-to-Bladensburg road. This early settlement was first known as Knowles Station. In the early 1890s, Washington, D.C. developer Brainard Warner began purchasing land parcels to build a planned Victorian community, complete with church, library and a local newspaper. Fascinated by a recent trip to London, Warner named his subdivision Kensington Park, the 10th and largest subdivision in the area which became the Town of Kensington. Upon incorporation in 1894, Warner convinced the Mayor and Council to name the town Kensington.[5] The historic core of Kensington was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as the Kensington Historic District in 1980.[6]

Originally a farming community at Knowles Station, Kensington developed into a summer refuge for Washington, D.C., residents wishing to escape the capital's humid summers. As years passed and its residents increasingly remained year round, Kensington evolved into a commuter suburb. The large southernmost section originally mapped out by Warner remains largely unchanged since inception, and is a historically preserved zone. Indeed, the only major changes in the town's basic layout have been the bridging over of the original railroad crossing in 1937, and the extension and widening of Connecticut Avenue, the town's main thoroughfare, in 1957.

In March 1975, Kensington gained attention regionally due to the disappearance of Sheila and Katherine Lyon. The sisters walked to Wheaton Plaza, a local shopping mall where they were seen by witnesses including their brother. However, they never returned home and the case remains unsolved.

The town gained national attention three times in a 10-month span early in the 21st century as a result of events which occurred within a mere quarter-mile radius. In December 2001, the town responded to complaints from anonymous citizens by banning Santa Claus from the annual holiday parade. Protesters arrived at the parade en masse, including dozens of Santas riding everything from motorcycles to fire trucks. Eight months later, an Amtrak train derailed adjacent to the town center when the tracks separated at an overheated joint, injuring 72 people,[7] though there were no fatalities. Then, on October 2, 2002, Lori Ann Lewis-Rivera became the fifth victim of the snipers who terrorized the Washington area that month, while cleaning her auto at a Kensington gas station. (See Beltway sniper attacks.)

Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Programs Near Me Kensington MD

Selecting the right ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is an important first step to starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for extended periods and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay collected when confronted by 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 Tech Programs Near Me. 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 the case whether you select an online program or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each program, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as an sonographer in Kensington MD.