Sonography Associates Degree Lehigh Valley PA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician College near Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania

Lehigh Valley PA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Lehigh Valley PA, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a school. To begin with, you must find the ideal program that will provide the necessary training to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do require that ultrasound techs 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 options. But exactly where does one begin? A number of potential students will begin by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location must be considered when making a decision, but there are additional important factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are available.

Sonographer Work Summary

Lehigh Valley PA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Lehigh Valley PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Typical daily job duties of an ultrasound technician can consist of:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for further testing

Sonographers must routinely evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional 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 a regular basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Available

Lehigh Valley PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally require around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to finish. Another option for individuals who have previously received 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 related medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician programs do have a practical training component as a portion of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which many colleges organize through Lehigh Valley PA clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification prerequisites in Pennsylvania or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Lehigh Valley PA As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound tech colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus laboratory or at an approved off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local Lehigh Valley PA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Lehigh Valley home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are often less costly than traditional options. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech school you are considering, verify that the online school you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly crucial for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Lehigh Valley PA ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the procedure of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Lehigh Valley PA area. Naturally location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier as well. But there are additional factors that you must also take into consideration, for example if the schools are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonography school prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? Most sonogram tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Lehigh Valley PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the sonogram technician colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with Lehigh Valley PA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Lehigh Valley health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the sonographer schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Lehigh Valley PA residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern 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 perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Lehigh Valley PA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Lehigh Valley PA?

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

Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley (/ˈliːhaɪ/), known officially by the United States Census Bureau and the United States Office of Management and Budget[3] as the Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA–NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area and referred to colloquially as The Valley,[4] is a metropolitan region officially consisting of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties in eastern Pennsylvania and Warren county on the western edge of New Jersey, in the Eastern United States.[5] The Lehigh Valley's largest city, with a population of 120,443, is Allentown.[6]

The region is a part of the larger New York City metropolitan area, but borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area. All of the region, except Warren County, New Jersey, is part of Philadelphia's designated media market.

The Lehigh Valley is the third most populous Metropolitan Statistical Area in the state of Pennsylvania with a population of 821,173 residents as of the 2010 U.S. Census.[2] The region is eclipsed in total population in Pennsylvania only by the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas.[2] It is the 64th most populated metropolitan area in the United States. Lehigh County, the Valley's largest county in terms of overall population, is among the fastest growing in the state and, as of 2010–2012, ranks in the 79th percentile for population growth nationally. The core population centers are located in southern and central Lehigh and Northampton counties along U.S. Route 22 and Interstate 78. The Lehigh Valley is proximate to two of the nation's largest cities: New York City, which is about 75 miles to its east, and Philadelphia, which is 50 miles to its southeast.

In March 2014, the Lehigh Valley was recognized by Site Selection Magazine as the second-best performing region of its size for economic development in the United States.[7] It was also ranked by Fortune in May 2015 as being among the top 10 best places in the U.S. to locate corporate finance and information technology operations for companies, such as call centers and IT support.[8] Allentown, the region's largest city, was cited as a "national success story" in April 2016 by the Urban Land Institute for its downtown redevelopment and transformation, one of only six communities nationwide to achieve this distinction.[9]

Find the Right Sonography Associates Degree Lehigh Valley PA

Enrolling in the right sonographer degree or certificate program is a vital first step to embarking on a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from satisfying academic requirements, you should be in at least fairly good physical health, capable of standing for lengthy durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional preferred skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay calm 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 Sonography Associates Degree. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are considering. This is true whether you enroll in an online degree or commute 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 best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as an ultrasound technologist in Lehigh Valley PA.