Sonogram Tech School Ann Arbor MI - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Degree Program near Ann Arbor Michigan

Ann Arbor MI ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Ann Arbor MI, the next step is to start the process of picking a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the proper education to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, 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 school in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? A number of potential students will start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location should be considered when making a decision, but there are additional critical 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 detail later in this article. But to start with, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Summary

Ann Arbor MI sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Ann Arbor MI hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily job duties of an ultrasound tech can include:

Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics 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 making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered

Ann Arbor MI 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 usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have previously received 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 related medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many colleges set up with Ann Arbor MI hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Michigan or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Ann Arbor MI As aforementioned, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus laboratory or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Practical training can typically be fulfilled through an internship at a local Ann Arbor MI outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the rest of the classes and training can be attended online in your Ann Arbor home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online programs are many times more affordable than on campus alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But similarly as with every sonography school you are reviewing, check that the online program you select is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools

Questions to ask Ann Arbor MI ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Ann Arbor MI area. Certainly location will be important if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, such as if the programs are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer school prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed review of their teachers 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. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Ann Arbor MI health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the sonogram technician programs you are assessing have associations with Ann Arbor MI hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Ann Arbor medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing 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 Michigan healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Ann Arbor MI residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher 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 a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Ann Arbor MI area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Ann Arbor MI?

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

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan. The university significantly shapes Ann Arbor's economy as it employs about 30,000 workers, including about 12,000 in the medical center. The city's economy is also centered on high technology, with several companies drawn to the area by the university's research and development infrastructure.[7]

Ann Arbor was founded in 1824, named for wives of the village's founders, both named Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees.[8] The University of Michigan moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor in 1837, and the city grew at a rapid rate in the early to mid-20th century. During the 1960s and 1970s, the city gained a reputation as a center for left-wing politics. Ann Arbor became a focal point for political activism, such as opposition to the Vietnam War and support for the legalization of cannabis.

Ann Arbor was founded in 1824 by land speculators John Allen and Elisha Walker Rumsey. On May 25, 1824, the town plat was registered with Wayne County as "Annarbour", the earliest known use of the town's name.[10] Allen and Rumsey decided to name it for their wives, both named Ann, and for the stands of bur oak in the 640 acres (260 ha) of land they purchased for $800 from the federal government at $1.25 per acre.[8] The local Ojibwa named the settlement kaw-goosh-kaw-nick, after the sound of Allen's sawmill.[11]

Ann Arbor became the seat of Washtenaw County in 1827,[12] and was incorporated as a village in 1833.[13] The Ann Arbor Land Company, a group of speculators, set aside 40 acres (16 ha) of undeveloped land and offered it to the state of Michigan as the site of the state capital, but lost the bid to Lansing. In 1837, the property was accepted instead as the site of the University of Michigan, which moved from Detroit.[14]

Find the Right Sonogram Tech School Ann Arbor MI

Selecting the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a vital first step to initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for lengthy time frames with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machines. Additional desirable talents include technical aptitude, the ability to keep collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonogram Tech School. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This holds true whether you choose an online degree or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each school, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can reach your objective to practice as an sonographer in Ann Arbor MI.