Obstetric Sonography Schools Somerville NJ - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Somerville New Jersey

Somerville NJ ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Somerville NJ, it’s time to start the process of picking a college. First, you must find the right program that will provide the proper training to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do mandate that sonographers 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 very important that you research each school so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? A number of prospective students will start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location need to be considered when making a decision, but there are additional critical factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and additional qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.

Sonographer Job Description

Somerville NJ 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 basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though many work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Somerville NJ clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job duties of an ultrasound technician can involve:

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 usage and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly evaluate the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Offered

Somerville NJ ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the option to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on 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 earned 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 related medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to bear in mind is that most sonographer colleges do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many colleges organize with Somerville NJ hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in New Jersey or whatever state you decide to work in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Somerville NJ As previously mentioned, virtually all sonogram tech schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at an approved off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Somerville NJ hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the balance of the classes and training may be attended online in your Somerville home. This is particularly convenient for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just as with every ultrasound tech program you are considering, verify that the online school 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 especially significant for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Schools

Questions to ask Somerville NJ ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Somerville NJ area. Of course location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification as well. But there are other factors that you must also take into consideration, for example if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonography program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school 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 earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies 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 assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Somerville NJ employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the ultrasound technician colleges you are evaluating have associations with Somerville NJ hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Somerville medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the sonographer schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with New Jersey healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Somerville NJ residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider 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 usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Somerville NJ area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Somerville NJ?

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

Somerville, New Jersey

Somerville is a borough in and the county seat of Somerset County, New Jersey, United States.[19] As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 12,098,[8][9][10] reflecting a decline of 325 (-2.6%) from the 12,423 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 791 (+6.8%) from the 11,632 counted in the 1990 Census.[20]

Somerville was originally formed as a town on March 25, 1863, within a portion of Bridgewater Township. Somerville was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 16, 1909, based on the results of a referendum held on May 4, 1909, at which point it was fully set off from Bridgewater Township.[21][22] It is home of the oldest competitive bicycle race in the United States.

Somerville was settled in colonial times primarily by the Dutch who purchased land from the English proprietors of the colony. The Dutch established their church near what is today Somerville and a Dutch Reformed minister or Domine lived at the Old Dutch Parsonage from about 1754. The early village grew up around a church, courthouse and a tavern built at a crossroads shortly after the American Revolution. The name "Somerville" was taken from four brothers of the Somerville family, William, Edward, John and James from Drishane and Castlehaven, County Cork, Ireland, who first founded the town in the 1750s. Somerville was originally a sparsely populated farming community, but rapidly grew after the completion of the railroad in the 1840s and development of water power along the Raritan River in the 1850s. Early industry included brick making from the plentiful red clay and shale on which Somerville is built. While much of the borough features distinctive Victorian architecture in several neighborhoods and along its Main Street, other periods are represented. National Register sites in Somerville include the white marble 1909 Somerville Court House and the wooden and stone colonial Wallace House (today a museum) where George Washington spent a winter during the American Revolutionary War. Near the Wallace House is the Old Dutch Parsonage, where Reverend Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, a founder and first president of Rutgers University, then called Queens College, lived. Register listed Victorian structures include the James Harper Smith Estate (privately owned), St. John's Episcopal Church and rectory, and the Fire Museum (a vintage fire house). Other notable, register eligible structures are the Victorian train station (privately owned) and the municipal building, the former Robert Mansion.[25]

Originally the center of local commerce, the borough has evolved into a destination for boutique retail and dining. Modern highways today surround and traverse Somerville, including U.S. Route 22, U.S. Route 202, U.S. Route 206 and Route 28 and is within 5 miles (8.0 km) of Interstate 287 and Interstate 78, making it an important hub in central New Jersey.

Find the Right Obstetric Sonography Schools Somerville NJ

Picking the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to commencing a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to satisfying academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for lengthy time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Additional beneficial talents include technical proficiency, the ability to remain levelheaded when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Obstetric Sonography Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing. This is the case whether you choose an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as an ultrasound tech in Somerville NJ.