Ultrasound Tech Education Catawba NC - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Degree Program near Catawba North Carolina

Catawba NC ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Catawba NC, the next step is to begin the process of picking a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s extremely important that you research each school in order to evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? A number of individuals will start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and other qualifiers will be covered more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are available.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Summary

Catawba NC sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Catawba NC clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily job tasks of an ultrasound tech can consist of:

Preserving records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining necessity for supplemental testing

Sonographers must routinely evaluate the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered

Catawba NC ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require around 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete. Another option for individuals 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 related health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Catawba NC hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the certification or licensing requirements in North Carolina or whatever state you choose to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Catawba NC As earlier discussed, almost all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either held in an on-campus laboratory or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Catawba NC outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the remainder of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Catawba home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. In addition online schools are frequently more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech college you are considering, check that the online school you choose is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly crucial for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Sonogram Tech Programs

Questions to ask Catawba NC ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the procedure of evaluating and comparing sonogram technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Catawba NC area. Of course location will be significant if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional variables that you should also take into account, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech program before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Catawba NC health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the ultrasound technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Catawba NC clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Catawba health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the ultrasound tech programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with North Carolina healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Catawba NC residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even 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 frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Catawba NC area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Catawba NC?

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

Catawba College

Catawba College is a private, coeducational college in Salisbury, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1851 by the North Carolina Classis of the Reformed Church in Newton, the college adopted its name from its county of origin, Catawba County, before moving to its current home of Salisbury in 1925. Catawba College still holds loose ties with the successor to the Reformed Church, the United Church of Christ, and offers over 70 undergraduate degrees.

Catawba College was founded by the North Carolina Classis of the Reformed Church in the United States in 1851. The years following the opening of the college were years of growing prosperity for the school, but the Civil War changed this as funds and students became less available. During the war years, the college became an academy, operating as Catawba High School from 1865 until 1885, whereupon it resumed operations under its original charter as Catawba College. Catawba became coeducational in 1890. Even with the addition of women to the student body, the College struggled to overcome the depletion brought on by the war. Responding to the offer of a partially constructed dormitory-administration building and several acres of land in Salisbury, trustee, college, and church officials closed the campus in Newton in 1923 and re-opened in Salisbury in 1925.

Catawba College offers over 70 fields of study in a variety of disciplines. Special programs and college centers include the Lilly Center for Vocation and Values, the Writing Center, the Math Center, Sustainable Catawba, Volunteer Catawba, the Center for the Environment, Career Services, the Curriculum Materials Center, Summer School, and Winter Term.[3]

For working adults, Catawba's School of Evening and Graduate Studies offers the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.). In conjunction with the Department of Teacher Education, the Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A.E.) degree may be earned with a major in Birth-Kindergarten Education; at the graduate level, the Master of Education degree in elementary education is also offered. A RN to BSN degree is offered as well as part of the evening program.

Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Education Catawba NC

Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a vital first step to entering a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for lengthy time frames with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other desirable skills include technical aptitude, the ability to keep collected 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 Ultrasound Tech Education. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are considering. This is the case whether you choose an online program or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can compare each college, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Catawba NC.