How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Huntingdon Pennsylvania
Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Huntingdon PA, the next step is to begin the procedure of picking a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will furnish the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And because some states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each program so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Many students will begin by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location should be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional critical factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are available.
Ultrasound Tech Work Description
There are more than one professional 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 primary job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Huntingdon PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Typical daily job tasks of an ultrasound tech can include:
- Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
- Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Assessing results and determining necessity for supplemental testing
Ultrasound techs must frequently evaluate the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.
Sonogram Tech Degrees Available
Ultrasound tech students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have previously obtained a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician schools do have a practical training element as a portion of their course of study. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Huntingdon PA hospitals and clinics. 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.
Ultrasound Technician Online Degrees
As previously mentioned, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Practical training can often be fulfilled through an internship at a local Huntingdon PA hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the remainder of the training and classes can be attended online in your Huntingdon home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that keep working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online programs are many times more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech school you are considering, make sure that the online school 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 particularly significant for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the right option for you.
Topics to Ask Sonogram Tech Colleges
When you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Huntingdon PA area. Obviously location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are additional factors that you must also take into consideration, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer college prior to making a decision.
Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it may 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. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Huntingdon PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the ultrasound tech colleges you are interested in have relationships with Huntingdon PA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Huntingdon medical community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Huntingdon PA home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person 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 schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Huntingdon PA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Huntingdon PA?
If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Huntingdon Pennsylvania, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Huntingdon is a borough in (and the county seat of) Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located along the Juniata River, approximately 32 miles (51 km) east of Altoona and 92 miles (148 km) west of Harrisburg. With a population of 7,093 at the 2010 census,[3] it is the largest population center near Raystown Lake, a winding, 28-mile-long (45 km) flood-control reservoir managed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The borough is located on the main line of the Norfolk Southern (formerly Pennsylvania) Railway, in an agricultural and outdoor recreational region with extensive forests and scattered deposits of ganister rock, coal, fire clay, and limestone. Historically, the region surrounding Huntingdon was dotted with iron furnaces and forges, consuming limestone, iron ore and wood (for charcoal production) throughout the 19th century. Dairy farms dominate the local agriculture. The town is a regular stop for the Amtrak passenger service which connects Harrisburg with Pittsburgh.
In 1768, Rev. Dr. William Smith began selling lots on the Standing Stone Tract along the Juniata, land he had recently acquired. The tract's two prior owners had not attempted to lay out a town, so Dr. Smith is considered the founder. Huntingdon (the name by which he eventually called his town) sits at the site of corn fields that had been cultivated at a date now unknown, next to where Standing Stone Creek flows into the Juniata River. The 100th anniversary of its incorporation was marked by the erection of a "Standing Stone Monument" on Third Street, modeled on a tall, narrow shaft known to have existed before 1750, whose purpose is unclear but may have served as a trail marker. It may be significant that natural sandstone formations (popularly called Pulpit Rocks), which "stand erect", are on a nearby ridge. A story surfaced during the early 19th century that Smith had renamed Standing Stone Settlement to honor an Englishwoman, Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. Smith's descendants vehemently denied the story, and there exists no evidence to support it, despite a wide circulation in published sources. More likely, the Anglican cleric named it after the town of the same name in England; doing so had become a pattern for naming Pennsylvania settlements, Bedford, Carlisle and York being nearby examples of the trend. In 1796, the little village was incorporated as a borough.
Huntingdon long served as the junction of the Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad with the Pennsylvania Railroad, and as an important port on the Main Line of Public Works of the Pennsylvania Canal. In past years, Huntingdon boasted of manufacturers of flour, heavy machinery, radiators, furniture, stationery, woolen goods, shirts, shoes, electronic components, finished lumber, fiberglass yarn, matting and underground storage tanks. In the 19th century, J. C. Blair, a native of Shade Gap and a stationer and businessman, popularized the writing tablet and began marketing it nationwide. His factory in downtown Huntingdon was later relocated to nearby Alexandria.
Find the Right Online Colleges For Ultrasound Tech Huntingdon PA
Choosing the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to commencing a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic standards, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, capable of standing for extended durations and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other preferred skills include technical aptitude, the ability to stay collected when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Colleges For Ultrasound Tech. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at. 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 assess each school, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your objective to practice as an sonographer in Huntingdon PA.
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