Medical Sonography School Online Congers NY - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Technician Training Program near Congers New York

Congers NY ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Congers NY, the next step is to start the process of selecting a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the necessary education to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do require 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 very important that you investigate each college so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? A number of students will begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be covered more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Job Summary

Congers NY 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 basic job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Congers NY clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily job tasks of a sonogram tech can involve:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining necessity for further testing

Sonographers must regularly assess the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Congers NY ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the choice to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to finish. Another alternative for individuals who have previously earned 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 health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that the majority of sonographer programs 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 many colleges organize through Congers NY hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in New York or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Sonographer Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Congers NY As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at an approved off campus facility. Practical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Congers NY outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the balance of the training and classes can be attended online in your Congers home. This is especially convenient for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. In addition online schools are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Expenses for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But just as with any sonographer program you are looking at, check that the online program you select is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs

Questions to ask Congers NY ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you will attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Congers NY area. Certainly location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification as well. But there are additional factors that you must also take into account, for example if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational 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 agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Congers NY employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the sonogram technician programs you are reviewing have associations with Congers NY clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Congers medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the sonographer programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with New York healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Congers NY residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller 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 classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Congers NY area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Congers NY?

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

Congers, New York

Congers is an affluent, suburban hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Clarkstown, Rockland County, New York, United States. It is located north of Valley Cottage, east of New City, across Lake DeForest, south of Haverstraw, and west of the Hudson River. It lies 19 miles (31 km) north of New York City's Bronx boundary. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 8,363.[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10 km2), of which 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (18.39%) is water. The high percentage of Congers that sits under water is due to the hamlet's emplacement within and between four lakes: Congers Lake, Rockland Lake, Swartwout (also Swarthout) Lake, and the county reservoir, Lake DeForest. Congers is adjacent to Rockland Lake State Park, along the Hudson River.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 8,303 people, 2,695 households, and 2,244 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,635.9 per square mile (1,017.7/km²). There were 2,743 housing units at an average density of 870.8/sq mi (336.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.2% White, 1.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 8.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.6% of the population. Estimated median household income in 2008: $99,833 (it was $79,493 in 2000) making it one of the highest earning CDP's in the county.

There were 2,695 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.3% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.36. In the CDP, the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

Find the Right Medical Sonography School Online Congers NY

Selecting the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is a vital first step to embarking on a gratifying new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with satisfying academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for prolonged time frames and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional beneficial talents include technical aptitude, the ability to keep levelheaded when confronted by 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 Medical Sonography School Online. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are considering. This holds true whether you choose an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can assess each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to practice as an sonographer in Congers NY.