Colleges That Have Ultrasound Programs Catasauqua PA

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Catasauqua Pennsylvania

Catasauqua PA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Catasauqua PA, the next step is to begin the procedure of picking a school. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do require 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 so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one start? Many individuals will begin by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost must be considered when making a decision, but there are other important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and additional qualifications will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are available.

Sonographer Work Summary

Catasauqua PA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional 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 implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Catasauqua PA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily job functions of a sonogram technician may consist of:

Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining need for further testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently assess the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degrees Available

Catasauqua PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finalize. Another option for those who have already 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 enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that most sonographer schools do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous schools organize through Catasauqua PA clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to fulfill the licensing or certification prerequisites in Pennsylvania or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Catasauqua PA As earlier discussed, virtually all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on campus laboratory or at an approved off campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Catasauqua PA hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the balance of the classes and training can be attended online in your Catasauqua home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online schools are many times more affordable than on campus alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But similarly as with any sonographer school you are looking at, 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 certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Sonography Programs

Questions to ask Catasauqua PA ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Catasauqua PA area. Clearly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional variables that you must also take into consideration, for example if the schools are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech college before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Schools Accredited? Most sonogram technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important 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 receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Catasauqua PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the sonogram technician programs you are assessing have partnerships with Catasauqua PA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional connections in the Catasauqua healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the sonographer schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good 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 Catasauqua PA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area 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 might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher 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 converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Catasauqua PA area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol 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 Catasauqua PA?

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

Catasauqua, Pennsylvania

Catasauqua is a borough in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, settled in 1805 and chartered as a borough in 1853. Catasauqua is a suburb of Allentown, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region of the state. Catasauqua is included in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the New York City-Newark, New Jersey, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area.

Historically, manufacturing was Catasauqua's principal industry, and, in 1839, it was the location of the first manufactured anthracite iron in the nation. Catasauqua's population in 1910 was 5,250. The population was 6,588 at the 2000 census. The word Catasauqua is shortened to "Catty" in local dialect when speaking of the place.

Catasauqua is located at 40°39′11″N 75°28′3″W / 40.65306°N 75.46750°W / 40.65306; -75.46750 (40.652995, -75.467627).[3] Nearby large communities include Allentown three miles (5 km) to the south and Bethlehem seven miles (11 km) to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), of which, 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2 or 2.31%) of it is water. The Catasauqua Creek flows through the town. The Lehigh River runs along the southwest edge of Catasauqua.

Find the Right Colleges That Have Ultrasound Programs Catasauqua PA

Selecting the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to commencing a fulfilling new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for prolonged periods and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Other helpful talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay levelheaded when confronted by 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 Colleges That Have Ultrasound Programs. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing. This holds true whether you select an online degree or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can compare each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Catasauqua PA.