Schools Offering Ultrasound Tech Programs Hendersonville NC

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Technician College near Hendersonville North Carolina

Hendersonville NC ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Hendersonville NC, the next step is to start the procedure of selecting a college. First, you must find the ideal program that will provide the necessary education to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do require that ultrasound techs 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 extremely important that you research each school in order to assess and compare your choices. But just where does one begin? A number of potential students will begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location must be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other 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 detail later in this article. But first, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training options that are available.

Ultrasound Tech Job Description

Hendersonville NC 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. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Hendersonville NC hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Typical daily job tasks of an ultrasound technician may consist of:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered

Hendersonville NC ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech enrollees have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finalize. Another option for those who have previously received 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 related health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges sponsor through Hendersonville NC 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 North Carolina or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Sonographer Online Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Hendersonville NC As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off campus medical care provider. Practical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local Hendersonville NC hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the rest of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Hendersonville home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are many times less expensive than on campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just as with any sonography school you are considering, verify that the online program you enroll in 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 motivated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Tech Schools

Questions to ask Hendersonville NC ultrasound tech schools After you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Hendersonville NC area. Obviously location will be important if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification as well. But there are other things that you should also take into consideration, for example if the programs are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are some questions that you need ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Hendersonville NC health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram technician schools you are evaluating have associations with Hendersonville NC hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Hendersonville healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with North Carolina healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Hendersonville NC home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for 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 get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Hendersonville NC area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Hendersonville NC?

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

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville is a city in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. It is 22 miles (35 km) south of Asheville and is the county seat of Henderson County.[4] Like the county, the city is named for 19th-century North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Leonard Henderson.[5]

Chartered in 1847 as the county seat of Henderson County (formed 1838), Hendersonville is traditionally known as "The City of Four Seasons". The town has a well-preserved Main Street and adjoining downtown areas with many restaurants, antique shops and boutiques in buildings that housed key local businesses until the mid-1980s. Its architecture reflects the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Much downtown revitalization has occurred since the early 1990s. Larger stores are almost entirely along the commercial strips extending outward from the downtown along U.S. Highway 64 east and U.S. Highways 176 and 25. There are historic neighborhoods outside the Main Street corridor, including the 5th Avenue neighborhood on the city's west side and the Druid Hills neighborhood north of downtown. Depressed areas are found along the city's east side, but redevelopment efforts are underway in the historic commercial district along 7th Avenue East.

The architectural focus of the downtown area is the historic Henderson County Courthouse, completed in 1905 and completely renovated in 2008. The city is also home to the newly restored City Hall (erected 1924) and the modern Henderson County Courthouse (1995).

The largest street festival of the Hendersonville calendar is the annual North Carolina Apple Festival, culminating in the Apple Parade that regularly draws up to 50,000 spectators. Main Street is home to other festivals and special activities throughout the year.

Find the Right Schools Offering Ultrasound Tech Programs Hendersonville NC

Selecting the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to embarking on a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, capable of standing for lengthy time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machinery. Additional preferred talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay calm when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Schools Offering Ultrasound Tech Programs. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online degree or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each college, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Hendersonville NC.