Associates Degree In Sonography Lansing MI - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Lansing Michigan

Lansing MI ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Lansing MI, the next step is to start the procedure of picking a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the proper education to become a qualified professional. And because some 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 very important that you research each college so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? Most potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost should be considered when making a decision, but there are other significant factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Job Description

Lansing MI sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as 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 perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Lansing MI clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily job functions of an ultrasound technician may include:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Lansing MI 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 usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have already 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 field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which many schools set up through Lansing MI hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Michigan or whichever state you elect to work in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Lansing MI As earlier discussed, almost all ultrasound tech schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at a sponsored off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Lansing MI hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the balance of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Lansing home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online programs are frequently less costly than traditional options. Costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But similarly as with any sonographer college you are looking at, verify that the online program you choose 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 licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs

Questions to ask Lansing MI ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You may first want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Lansing MI area. Clearly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification also. But there are additional factors that you must also take into account, for example if the programs are accredited and if they provide internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are several questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech college before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed examination of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it can 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 premium education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Lansing MI employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have relationships with Lansing MI hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Lansing healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the sonographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Michigan healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Lansing MI home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern 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 college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Lansing MI area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out 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 Lansing MI?

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

Lansing, Michigan

Lansing /ˈlænsɪŋ/ is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2010 Census placed the city's population at 114,297,[7] making it the fifth largest city in Michigan. The population of its Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was 464,036, while the even larger Combined Statistical Area (CSA) population, which includes Shiawassee County, was 534,684. It was named the new state capital of Michigan in 1847, ten years after Michigan became a state.

The Lansing Metropolitan Area, colloquially referred to as "Mid-Michigan", is an important center for educational, cultural, governmental, commercial, and industrial functions. The area is home to two medical schools, one veterinary school, two nursing schools, and two law schools – Michigan State University College of Law and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. It is the site of the Michigan State Capitol, the state Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, a federal court, the Library of Michigan and Historical Center, and headquarters of four national insurance companies.

Lansing is the only U.S. state capital (among the 47 located in counties) that is not also a county seat. The seat of government of Ingham County is Mason,[8] but the county maintains some offices in Lansing.[9]

The first recorded person of European descent to travel through the area that is now Lansing was British fur trader Hugh Heward and his French-Canadian team on April 24, 1790 while canoeing the Grand River.[10][11] The land that was to become Lansing was surveyed as "Township 4 North Range 2 West" in February 1827 in what was then dense forest. It was the last of the county's townships to be surveyed, and the land was not offered for sale until October 1830.[12] There would be no roads to this area for decades to come.

Find the Right Associates Degree In Sonography Lansing MI

Selecting the right sonographer degree or certificate program is a vital first step to embarking on a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for lengthy time frames and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Additional desirable talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Associates Degree In Sonography. However, as we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing. This is the case whether you select an online degree or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each school, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as an sonographer in Lansing MI.