Ultrasound Technician Education Lanham MD - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Lanham Maryland

Lanham MD ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Lanham MD, the next step is to begin the procedure of selecting a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And since some 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 investigate each program in order to assess and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? Most students will start by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost need to be considered when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.

Sonogram Tech Job Summary

Lanham 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 description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Lanham MD hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job duties of a sonogram technician may consist of:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly gauge 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 level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available

Lanham MD ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram 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 accomplish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete. Another option 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 related medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that most sonographer programs do have a practical training element as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous schools set up with Lanham MD clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in Maryland or whatever state you choose to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Lanham MD As previously mentioned, virtually all sonogram tech schools have a practical component to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Lanham MD outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the remainder of the classes and training may be attended online in your Lanham home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are many times less costly than on campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But just as with any sonographer program you are looking at, make sure that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly regarded 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 motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school could be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Lanham MD ultrasound tech schools When you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Lanham MD area. Clearly location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification as well. But there are other factors that you should also take into consideration, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonographer college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Lanham MD health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram technician programs you are assessing have relationships with Lanham MD clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Lanham healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Maryland healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Lanham MD residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Lanham MD area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Lanham MD?

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

Lanham, Maryland

Lanham is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland.[1] As of the 2010 United States Census it had a population of 10,157.[2] The New Carrollton station (the terminus of the Washington Metro's Orange Line) as well as an Amtrak station are across the Capital Beltway in New Carrollton, Maryland. Doctors Community Hospital is located in Lanham.[3]

Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Education Lanham MD

Selecting the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a vital first step to launching a gratifying new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for extended durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other desirable skills include technical aptitude, the ability to keep calm when faced with an anxious or angry 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 Education. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at. This holds true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each program, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as an sonographer in Lanham MD.