Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree Elizabethtown PA

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Degree Program near Elizabethtown Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown PA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Elizabethtown PA, it’s time to start the process of picking a college. First, you must find the right program that will provide the necessary instruction to become a qualified professional. And because some states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each school so that you can assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one begin? Many students will begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.

Ultrasound Tech Job Summary

Elizabethtown PA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one 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 basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Elizabethtown PA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily work functions of a sonogram tech may consist of:

Preserving records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for further testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

Elizabethtown PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician students have the choice to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require about 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as 4 years to complete. Another option for those who have previously earned 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 medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician programs do have a clinical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many colleges organize through Elizabethtown PA hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in Pennsylvania or whichever state you choose to work in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Elizabethtown PA As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram technician schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at an authorized off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Elizabethtown PA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the balance of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Elizabethtown home. This is especially convenient for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online programs are many times less costly than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But similarly as with any sonographer college you are reviewing, verify that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. One of 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 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 could be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Elizabethtown PA ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician colleges. You may first want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Elizabethtown PA area. Obviously location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier as well. But there are other things that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they offer internships. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonography school before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of ultrasound tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Elizabethtown PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the sonogram tech schools you are reviewing have associations with Elizabethtown PA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Elizabethtown medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the ultrasound tech programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Elizabethtown PA home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something 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 may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the sonographer school you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Elizabethtown PA area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, 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 might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Elizabethtown PA?

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

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania Dutch: Betzischteddel) is a borough in Lancaster County, 21 miles (34 km) southeast of Harrisburg. Small factories existed at the turn of the 20th century when the population in 1900 was 1,861. There was a slight increase in the next decade, with 1,970 people living in Elizabethtown in 1910. As of the 2000 census, the population of the borough was 11,887.[3] Elizabethtown is commonly referred to in south-central Pennsylvania as "E-Town."[4] This nickname is also used for the local college and high school.

There are two stories about the origin of the town's name. In one version it is named after Elizabeth Reeby, wife of Michael Reeby who sold the first building lots here in about 1795. Another version has it named after the wife of Captain Barnabas Hughes who purchased The Black Bear Tavern in 1750.

The officially accepted history is that, in 1753, Captain Barnabas Hughes acquired land and laid out a town, naming it for his wife, Elizabeth. The early settlers were primarily Scots-Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch.

Elizabethtown became a borough in 1827, and a railroad was built through the area in the 1830s. The town was primarily agricultural until the early 1900s, when the Klein Chocolate Company (now part of Mars, Inc.) and several shoe factories (the last of which closed in 1979) opened. Elizabethtown College was established in 1899, and the Masonic Homes (now the Masonic Village) followed in 1910.

Find the Right Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree Elizabethtown PA

Enrolling in the right ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to commencing a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for extended durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain collected when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree. However, as we have covered in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are considering. This holds true whether you choose an online degree or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each program, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as an sonographer in Elizabethtown PA.