Ultrasound Technician Schools Albany NY - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Technician School near Albany New York

Albany NY ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Albany NY, the next step is to start the procedure of choosing a college. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the proper education to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do mandate 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 very important that you investigate each program in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Most potential students will begin by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location must be considered when making a decision, but there are additional critical factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internships. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Sonographer Occupation Summary

Albany NY sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable 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 description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While many work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Albany NY hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily work tasks of an ultrasound technician may include:

Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for supplemental testing

Sonographers must frequently evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional 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 courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Offered

Albany NY ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally require around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finalize. Another alternative for those who have previously received 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 medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to consider is that most sonographer schools do have a practical training component as a portion of their course of study. It often may be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous schools set up through Albany NY clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to comply with the certification or licensing requirements in New York or whatever state you decide to work in.

Sonogram Tech Online Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Albany NY As previously mentioned, virtually all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant part 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 by means of an internship at a local Albany NY outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the rest of the classes and training may be attended online in your Albany home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less expensive than on campus alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just as with any sonography program you are reviewing, make sure 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 finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn 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 Colleges

Questions to ask Albany NY ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Albany NY area. Obviously location will be important if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier also. But there are other variables that you should also take into account, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are several questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Colleges Accredited? Most sonogram technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive review of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Albany NY employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the ultrasound technician schools you are interested in have relationships with Albany NY clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Albany medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the sonographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with New York healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Albany NY home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Albany NY area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Albany NY?

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

Albany, New York

Albany (/ˈɔːlbəni/ (listen) ALL-bə-nee) is the capital of the U.S. state of New York and the seat of Albany County. Albany is located on the west bank of the Hudson River approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of its confluence with the Mohawk River and approximately 150 miles (240 km) north of New York City.

Albany is known for its rich history, commerce, culture, architecture, and institutions of higher education. Albany constitutes the economic and cultural core of the Capital District of New York State, which comprises the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area, including the nearby cities and suburbs of Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs. With a 2013 Census-estimated population of 1.1 million [6] the Capital District is the third-most populous metropolitan region in the state. As of the 2010 census, the population of Albany was 97,856.

The area that later became Albany was settled by Dutch colonists who in 1614, built Fort Nassau for fur trading and, in 1624, built Fort Orange. In 1664, the English took over the Dutch settlements, renaming the city as Albany, in honor of the then Duke of Albany, the future James II of England and James VII of Scotland. The city was officially chartered in 1686 under English rule. It became the capital of New York in 1797 following formation of the United States. Albany is one of the oldest surviving settlements of the original British thirteen colonies, and is the longest continuously chartered city in the United States.[7]

During the late 18th century and throughout most of the 19th, Albany was a center of trade and transportation. The city lies toward the north end of the navigable Hudson River, was the original eastern terminus of the Erie Canal connecting to the Great Lakes, and was home to some of the earliest railroad systems in the world. In the 1920s, a powerful political machine controlled by the Democratic Party arose in Albany. In the latter part of the 20th century, Albany experienced a decline in its population due to urban sprawl and suburbanization; however, the New York State Legislature approved a $234 million building and renovation plan for the City in the 1990s that spurred renovation and building projects around the downtown area.[8] In the early 21st century, Albany has experienced growth in the high-technology industry, with great strides in the nanotechnology sector.[9][10]

Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Schools Albany NY

Selecting the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for extended periods and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional beneficial talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay calm when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Technician Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each school you are considering. This is the case whether you select an online program or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each school, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Albany NY.