Ultrasound Sonography Schools Haledon NJ - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Haledon New Jersey

Haledon NJ ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Haledon NJ, the next step is to start the process of selecting a college. To begin with, you have to find the ideal program that will provide the proper instruction to become a qualified professional. And since some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each program so that you can assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one begin? Many prospective students will start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional important factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifiers will be covered more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.

Sonographer Occupation Summary

Haledon NJ sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Haledon NJ hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job functions of an ultrasound tech can include:

Maintaining 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 sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining necessity for further testing

Sonographers must frequently assess the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Haledon NJ ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to finish. Another option 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 field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a practical training element as a portion of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous schools sponsor through Haledon NJ hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing requirements in New Jersey or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Sonographer Online Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Haledon NJ As earlier discussed, almost all ultrasound tech colleges have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either carried out in an on campus laboratory or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Practical training can often be satisfied through an internship at a local Haledon NJ hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Haledon home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are frequently less expensive than on campus alternatives. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just as with every ultrasound tech college 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 crucial for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes could be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Haledon NJ ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of assessing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Haledon NJ area. Obviously location will be significant if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional factors that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, following are some questions that you need ask each sonography program before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations 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 programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Haledon NJ employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the sonogram technician schools you are assessing have associations with Haledon NJ clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to receive hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Haledon health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with New Jersey healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Haledon NJ home. Students who have chosen 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 importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost 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 researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech program you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Haledon NJ area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Haledon NJ?

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

Haledon, New Jersey

Haledon (pronounced HALE-dun[19][self-published source]) is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 8,318,[8][9][10] reflecting an increase of 66 (+0.8%) from the 8,252 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,301 (+18.7%) from the 6,951 counted in the 1990 Census.[20]

Haledon was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1908, replacing the now-defunct Manchester Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 21, 1908.[21]

Haledon developed along the northern side of the industrial city of Paterson, New Jersey. It was settled by farmers with colonial Dutch heritage including the Van Riper, Berdan, Banta, Post and Zabriskie families. Prior to the Civil War they were joined by the Roe, Leonhard and Stansfield families, who helped establish St. Mary's Episcopal Church and leading businesses including a general store and the Leonhard Wax Company.

The area became a streetcar suburb of Paterson in the years following the Civil War, with the central area known as Haledon, while the area surrounding the large pond along High Mountain Road was called Oldham. The Paterson and Haledon Horse Rail Road Company, formed in 1871, laid trolley tracks from Paterson along the current-day Belmont Avenue, which were electrified by 1888. Many of the trolley company's owners were among the founders of the Cedar Cliff Land Company, which bought up large portions of the area, and the street names in the borough reflect these industrialists and businessmen: Morrissee, Hoxey, Van Dyke, John Ryle and Barbour. The flat, lower part of the community was laid out in city-sized lots of 25' by 100' while the hillsides were plated as sites for larger Victorian "villas" for such individuals as Vice President Garret A. Hobart (now the location of William Paterson University) and the Barbour family of linen flax manufacturers. Haledon's villa development was always rather limited and throughout much of the 20th century Haledon was a typical blue-collar community set by the small property sizes planned by the Cedar Cliff Land Company. A never-constructed grand hotel was planned for the highest point of the community above the intersection of the current day Central and West Haledon Avenues. The Cedar Cliff Land Company ran newspaper advertisements targeted at upwardly mobile immigrants who worked in Paterson's silk industry, offering the city-sized lots for sale at auctions (with free lunches and brass bands) held at St. Mary's Parish Hall, and also opened the Cedar Cliff Silk Mill, which became one of several silk mills in the community. The residential appeal of Haledon was to escape the crowded industrial city and still have access to the textile mills by using the trolley. As a result of the land sales of Cedar Cliff Land Company and also of independent landowner William Bushmann, the town was settled by immigrants who came as skilled workers from textile centers in Europe.[22]

Find the Right Ultrasound Sonography Schools Haledon NJ

Enrolling in the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to starting a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for extended durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other beneficial skills include technical aptitude, the ability to stay levelheaded 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 Ultrasound Sonography Schools. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school 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 proper questions so that you can compare each college, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Haledon NJ.