How to Select the Right Ultrasound Technician College near Pittsburg Missouri
Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Pittsburg MO, it’s time to start the procedure of selecting a school. First, you must find the right program that will provide the necessary training to become a qualified professional. And since some states do mandate that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s extremely important that you research each school so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? A number of potential students will start by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost need to be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are additional important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internships. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education options that are available.
Sonographer Job Summary
There are more than one 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 perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Pittsburg MO hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily job duties of a sonogram technician can involve:
- Maintaining records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
- Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and identifying need for further testing
Sonographers must routinely assess the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Sonogram Tech Degrees Offered
Sonogram tech students have the option to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to finalize. Another option for those who have already received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that most sonographer schools do have a practical training component as part of their course of study. It often may be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many colleges sponsor through Pittsburg MO clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in Missouri or whichever state you elect to practice in.
Online Ultrasound Technician Programs
As earlier discussed, virtually all ultrasound tech schools have a practical component to their programs. So although 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 medical care provider. Clinical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local Pittsburg MO outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the remainder of the training and classes may be attended online in your Pittsburg home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while earning their degrees. Plus online schools are often less costly than on campus alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech school you are reviewing, make sure that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations 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 motivated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs
Once you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can start the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Pittsburg MO area. Naturally location will be critical if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional variables that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internships. 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 school before deciding.
Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of ultrasound tech schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded 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 gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Pittsburg MO employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram technician colleges you are reviewing have partnerships with Pittsburg MO clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Pittsburg health care community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the sonographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Missouri healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Pittsburg MO residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online 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 bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small 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 decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Pittsburg MO area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Pittsburg MO?
If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Pittsburg Missouri, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.
Pittsburg State Gorillas football
The Pittsburg State Gorillas football team represents Pittsburg State University in collegiate level football. The Pittsburg State football team was formed in 1908, competes in NCAA Division II and is affiliated with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Gorillas play their home games at Carnie Smith Stadium, more commonly referred to as "The Jungle", in Pittsburg, Kansas. Pittsburg State has won more games than any other program in NCAA Division II history.[2] It has won four national championships (1957, 1961, 1991 and 2011) and 27 conference championships, including 13 conference titles in 20 seasons under former head coach Chuck Broyles.
The Pittsburg State football program began in 1908 under head coach Albert McLeland. McLeland compiled a record of 2–2–2 in his only season as head coach.[3]John W. Fuhrer succeeded McLeland and served as Pitt State's football coach from 1909 to 1914 and 1918, compiling a record of 26–22–2.[3][4]
The program enjoyed several years of success in the 1920s under head coach Garfield Weede. Weede coached the team to a 50–31–6 record from 1919 to 1928 including the school's first undefeated season in 1924.[4][5] That year, his team was declared Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference champions.[6] Weede ended his tenure at Pittsburg on a downturn, losing every game of his final season of 1928. His squad only scored in two of seven games and allowed a total of 113 points.[7]
Pittsburg State experienced a turn-around from 1949 to 1966 under head coach Carnie Smith. During Smith's 18-year tenure as head coach, the team compiled a record of 116–52–6 and won two NAIA national championships in 1957 and 1961.[10][11] The team completed perfect seasons at 11–0 in 1957 and 1961 with victories over Hillsdale College in the Holiday Bowl and Linfield College in the Camellia Bowl.[10][11] The football stadium was later named after Smith.[12]
Find the Right Ultrasound Sonography Colleges Pittsburg MO
Choosing the ideal sonographer degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for lengthy durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other helpful skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay collected when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Sonography Colleges. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you choose an online program or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each college, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Pittsburg MO.
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