Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Concord NC - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Concord North Carolina

Concord NC ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Concord NC, it’s time to begin the procedure of choosing a college. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will provide the proper training to become a qualified professional. And since some states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you research each college so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? A number of students will begin by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be considered when making a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Occupation Description

Concord NC sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one acceptable 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 description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Concord NC clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work duties of an ultrasound tech may include:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely assess the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Available

Concord NC 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 usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another option for those who have previously obtained a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have earned 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 only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to consider is that almost all ultrasound technician programs do have a practical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges organize with Concord NC hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification requirements in North Carolina or whatever state you choose to work in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Concord NC As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound tech schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at an approved off campus facility. Clinical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Concord NC outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the rest of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Concord home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online colleges are frequently less expensive than on-campus options. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech school you are looking at, verify that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations 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 disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Concord NC ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Concord NC area. Certainly location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification also. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they sponsor internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer school prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? Most sonogram technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Concord NC employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the ultrasound tech programs you are assessing have associations with Concord NC hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Concord health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the sonographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with North Carolina healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Concord NC home. Individuals who have opted 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor 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 perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Concord NC area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Concord NC?

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

Concord, North Carolina

Concord (/ˈkɒn.kord/) is a city in Cabarrus County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 79,066,[4] with an estimated population in 2016 of 89,891.[5] It is the county seat and the largest city in Cabarrus County.[6] In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second-largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area and is the eleventh largest city in North Carolina.[7]

Concord, located in today's rapidly growing northeast quadrant of the Charlotte metropolitan area, was first settled about 1750 by German and Scots-Irish immigrants. The name Concord means with harmony. This name was chosen after a lengthy dispute over where the county seat should be located between the German Lutherans and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians.[citation needed] By United States standards, Concord is considered an old town, as it was incorporated in 1806. Today, markers identifying the original town limits can be seen in the downtown area.

As county seat, Concord became a center of trade and retail for the cotton-producing region, especially on court days. The downtown would be crowded with farmers and townfolk, in addition to lawyers and their clients. During the antebellum era, wealth was built by planters through the cultivation of cotton as a commodity crop; the work was done by enslaved African Americans.

Located in the Piedmont, Concord became a site of industrialization with cotton mills in the late 19th century. Among the owners of the new mills in the area were men of the rising black middle-class in Wilmington, North Carolina, such as W. C. Coleman, John C. Dancy (appointed as collector of customs at the port), and others, who organized Coleman Manufacturing Company in 1897. They built and operated what is believed to have been the first cotton mill owned by blacks in the nation.[9] They hoped to promote economic security for people of color. However, the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, with white attacks on black areas of the city, caused many deaths, as well as destroying homes and businesses built by blacks since the Civil War. In 1900, Dancy was among more than 2000 blacks who left the city permanently after the riot. He moved to Washington, DC, appointed as the federal Recorder of Deeds, and serving until 1910.[10] The mill operated under black ownership through 1904, hitting difficult times after Coleman died. The brick mill building was later taken over by Fieldcrest Cannon.

Find the Right Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Concord NC

Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is an important first step to initiating a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for extended periods 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 talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain levelheaded when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing. This holds true whether you enroll in an online program or drive 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 choices until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can realize your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in Concord NC.