Online Ultrasound Programs Franklin Lakes NJ - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Technician School near Franklin Lakes New Jersey

Franklin Lakes NJ ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Franklin Lakes NJ, it’s time to begin the process of choosing a college. To begin with, you must find the right program that will provide the appropriate instruction to become a qualified 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 to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each college in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one start? Most individuals will start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other critical factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are available.

Sonographer Work Description

Franklin Lakes NJ sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Franklin Lakes NJ hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily job duties of an ultrasound technician may include:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining necessity for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Franklin Lakes NJ ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finalize. Another alternative for those who have previously obtained 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 sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous schools set up through Franklin Lakes NJ clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in New Jersey or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Franklin Lakes NJ As aforementioned, nearly all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at an authorized off campus facility. Clinical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Franklin Lakes NJ outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the remainder of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Franklin Lakes home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But similarly as with any sonography college you are reviewing, check that the online school you select 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 disciplined enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Franklin Lakes NJ ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Franklin Lakes NJ area. Clearly location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into account, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they offer internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each sonography college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of ultrasound tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations 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 undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Franklin Lakes NJ employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the ultrasound technician schools you are reviewing have partnerships with Franklin Lakes NJ clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Franklin Lakes health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with New Jersey healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Franklin Lakes NJ residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry 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 school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student 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 a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the sonographer program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Franklin Lakes NJ area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Franklin Lakes NJ?

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

Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough's population was 10,590,[9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 168 (+1.6%) from the 10,422 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 549 (+5.6%) from the 9,873 counted in the 1990 Census.[20] As of the 2000 Census, Franklin Lakes had the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state.[21] Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranked 17th among the highest-income places in the United States with a population of at least 10,000.[citation needed]Becton Dickinson, a Fortune 500 company, is headquartered in Franklin Lakes.

Franklin Lakes was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 11, 1922, from portions of Franklin Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 11, 1922.[22][23][24] The borough was named for William Franklin, the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin, a steadfast Loyalist who served as the last colonial Governor of New Jersey.[25][26]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 9.847 square miles (25.507 km2), including 9.379 square miles (24.292 km2) of land and 0.469 square miles (1.214 km2) of water (4.76%).[1][2]

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or wholly within the borough include Bakers Pond, Blauvelt Lakes, Campgaw, Crystal Lakes, Ferdinands Mills, Hopper Lake and Pulis Mills and Shadow Lake.[28]

Find the Right Online Ultrasound Programs Franklin Lakes NJ

Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to commencing a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for extended time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machinery. Additional beneficial talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Ultrasound Programs. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing. This is true 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 compare each school, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Franklin Lakes NJ.