Accredited Sonogram Technician Schools Lansdale PA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Lansdale Pennsylvania

Lansdale PA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Lansdale PA, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a school. First, you must find the right program that will furnish the proper instruction to become a qualified professional. And because a number of states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you research each school in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? A number of potential students will start by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internships. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education options that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Description

Lansdale PA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Lansdale PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work tasks of an ultrasound technician may consist of:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely evaluate the performance and safety 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 current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Offered

Lansdale PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually take about 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finalize. Another option for those who have previously obtained 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 relevant health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that almost all sonographer schools do have a practical training component as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous schools set up with Lansdale PA clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or whichever state you decide to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Lansdale PA As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram tech schools have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either held in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can often be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Lansdale PA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the rest of the classes and training can be attended online in your Lansdale home. This is particularly convenient for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online colleges are many times less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just as with any sonographer program you are looking at, make sure that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs

Questions to ask Lansdale PA ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Lansdale PA area. Certainly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are additional things that you should also take into consideration, for example if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each sonographer college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Lansdale PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the ultrasound technician colleges you are assessing have relationships with Lansdale PA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Lansdale health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Lansdale PA home. Students who have opted 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 concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Lansdale PA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Lansdale PA?

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

Lansdale, Pennsylvania

Lansdale is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 28 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Early in the 20th century, its industries included agricultural implement works, a canning factory, foundries, brickyards, a silk mill, and manufacturers of cigars, stoves, shirts, rope, iron drain pipe, and glue.[citation needed] In 1900, 2,754 people lived here; in 1910, 3,551; and in 1940, 9,316 people were inhabitants of Lansdale. The population was 16,269 at the time of the 2010 census.

The earliest known settlers in Lansdale were members of the Jenkins family. At the peak of its growth, the Jenkins homestead occupied approximately 120 acres of land. The construction of the North Pennsylvania Railroad during the 1850s contributed to rapid growth and expansion in Lansdale. Employment opportunities generated by the railroad brought settlers, housing, and local businesses to the area. By 1872, Lansdale Borough was officially incorporated and named after Phillip Lansdale Fox, chief surveyor of the North Penn Railroad. By the naming conventions of the time, it should have been called Jenkintown, since the land immediately surrounding the train station was owned by the Jenkins family, but there was already a town by that name along the rail line.[3]

Lansdale is home to a Kugel ball, which is a dark grey granite sphere supported by a very thin film of water pumped from beneath its base.[5] The Kugel Ball is located in Railroad Plaza, adjacent to the SEPTA Lansdale/Doylestown Line train station in downtown Lansdale. The plaza consists of a bricked patio with benches centered on the Kugel Ball and closes at 11:00 pm. An annual 5k race is held in June, accordingly named the Kugel Ball race, which starts and ends at the actual Kugel Ball in Railroad Plaza.

As of the 2010 census, the borough was 75.9% White, 5.9% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 13.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian, and 2.7% were two or more races. 5.0% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[9]

Find the Right Accredited Sonogram Technician Schools Lansdale PA

Picking the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a vital first step to initiating a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to satisfying academic requirements, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for extended durations and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional desirable talents include technical aptitude, the ability to keep levelheaded when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Sonogram Technician Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are looking at. This is true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can compare each program, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can realize your objective to work as an sonographer in Lansdale PA.