Ultrasound Technician Bachelor Degree Ardmore PA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Ardmore Pennsylvania

Ardmore PA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Ardmore PA, it’s time to start the process of picking a school. First, you have to find the ideal program that will furnish the appropriate education to become a qualified professional. And since some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each program in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one start? A number of students will start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost should be considered when making a decision, but there are other important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Sonogram Tech Work Description

Ardmore PA 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 carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Ardmore PA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily job duties of a sonogram technician may consist of:

Keeping records of patient case 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 recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for further testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely assess the performance and safety of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degrees Offered

Ardmore PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take around 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 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 related medical field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician programs do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous schools set up through Ardmore PA hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in Pennsylvania or whatever state you choose to work in.

Sonographer Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Ardmore PA As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at an approved off-campus facility. Clinical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Ardmore PA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the balance of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Ardmore home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than traditional alternatives. Costs for study materials and commuting can be reduced as well. But similarly as with any sonographer school you are considering, verify that the online program you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations 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 dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Ardmore PA ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the procedure of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Ardmore PA area. Of course location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification as well. But there are additional variables that you should also take into consideration, for example if the colleges 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 a few questions that you need ask each sonography college prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Tech Colleges Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program 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 evaluation of their teachers 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 acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Ardmore PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the ultrasound technician colleges you are evaluating have associations with Ardmore PA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Ardmore medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the sonographer 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 substantial networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Ardmore PA residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Ardmore PA area, make sure that they are offered. 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, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Ardmore PA?

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

Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Ardmore is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Delaware and Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The population was 12,455 at the 2010 census.[1] Ardmore is a suburb on the west side of Philadelphia, within Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County and Haverford Township in Delaware County. Originally named "Athensville" in 1853, the community and its railroad station were renamed "Ardmore" in 1873 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, on whose Main Line, west out of Philadelphia, Ardmore sits at Milepost 8.5.[2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.1 km2), all of it land.[1] Ardmore is adjacent to Wynnewood (east), Haverford (west), Gladwyne (north), and Havertown (southwest). Residents from South East Ardmore and Wynnewood cooperate as the ArdWood Civic Association. The Ardmore Progressive Civic Association serves the historically black section of Ardmore bordered by ArdWood Civic Association, Haverford College, Montgomery Avenue, and the Montgomery/Delaware County line. The North Ardmore Civic Association represents residents of North Ardmore and Wynnewood north of Montgomery Avenue. The South Ardmore Betterment Alliance is a community group in the southern (Haverford Township) portion of Ardmore which organizes various community activities.[3][4]

Ardmore's train station is served by SEPTA Regional Rail's Paoli/Thorndale Line (commuter) and Amtrak (intercity) passenger trains. Residents and visitors enjoy several recreation areas, including South Ardmore Park, which is located in neighboring Wynnewood, though many mistake it for Ardmore. Suburban Square, opened in 1928 as one of the earliest shopping centers in the United States, is located adjacent to the Ardmore train station.[5] Ardmore contains the nation's first suburban branch of a major department store, the former Strawbridge & Clothier which opened there in 1930;[6] the former Suburban movie theater—now Not Your Average Joe's Restaurant; the newly relocated Ardmore Farmer's Market; an Apple Store, and the usual selection of mall shops. Other landmarks within the Ardmore Progressive Civic Association borders include the Ardmore Post Office and Ardmore Public Library (part of the Lower Merion Library System) on South Ardmore Avenue; the Ardmore Ice Skating Club on Greenfield Avenue; a public swimming pool; lighted tennis/basketball courts; the community center known as "The Shack"; and two senior housing projects.[7][8]

As of the 2010 census, the CDP was 76.8% White, 12.9% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 1.2% were Some Other Race, and 2.3% were two or more races. 4.0% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[10]

Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Bachelor Degree Ardmore PA

Selecting the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to embarking on a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for prolonged durations and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other helpful talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm when faced with 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 Bachelor Degree. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing. This is true whether you select an online program or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each program, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as an sonographer in Ardmore PA.