Sonography Degree Programs Ridley Park PA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Technician Training Program near Ridley Park Pennsylvania

Ridley Park PA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Ridley Park PA, the next step is to begin the process of selecting a college. To begin with, you must find the ideal program that will provide the proper training to become a qualified professional. And because some states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each program in order to evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one start? Most prospective students will begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost need to be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional important factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Sonogram Tech Occupation Summary

Ridley Park PA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called 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 testing on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Ridley Park PA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily work tasks of an ultrasound tech can consist of:

Preserving records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining necessity for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Offered

Ridley Park PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the choice to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve around 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four 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 relevant medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many schools set up through Ridley Park PA clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Pennsylvania or whichever state you decide to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Ridley Park PA As earlier discussed, virtually all ultrasound tech schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at an approved off-campus facility. Clinical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local Ridley Park PA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the rest of the classes and training can be attended online in your Ridley Park home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online programs are often more affordable than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased also. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech school you are reviewing, verify that the online school you enroll in is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly crucial for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs

Questions to ask Ridley Park PA ultrasound tech schools After you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of assessing and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Ridley Park PA area. Clearly 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 additional things that you must also take into account, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are some questions that you need ask each sonographer program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure 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 an extensive evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Ridley Park PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram tech schools you are assessing have relationships with Ridley Park PA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Ridley Park health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the sonographer schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Ridley Park PA residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical 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 a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Ridley Park PA area, check that they are available. 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 Ridley Park PA?

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

Ridley Park, Pennsylvania

Ridley Park is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,002 at the 2010 census. Ridley Park is the home of The Boeing Company's CH-47 Chinook helicopter division.[4]

The Lenape inhabited the Delaware River region several centuries before the arrival of European explorers and traders. The Okehocking Tribe of the Lenni Lenape Nation established small permanent villages along the river and its main tributaries. Land adjacent to Stoney Creek in Ridley Township has been identified as a Native American town site. Historians also believe that additional villages may have existed at other locations along Stoney Creek and Crum Creek in Ridley Park.[5] Native Americans significantly influenced the built environment through their network of paths laid out for travel and communication purposes. Their footpaths through the densely forested countryside grew into the first roads of the area. Chester Pike is believed to have developed from a footpath created by the Lenni Lenape as their main thoroughfare in the area.[6]

The borough is named after a place in Cheshire, England. John Morton, signer of the American Declaration of Independence, was born and raised in a log cabin adjacent to East Ridley Avenue. He later replaced the cabin with a brick house and began farming 133 acres (0.54 km2) in the Ridley Park area.[7] Chester Pike, originally a footpath, was realigned and widened by William Penn. Known then as the “Queens Highway,” it was one of the region’s first roads stretching from Chester to Darby, and by 1715, it reached Philadelphia. General George Washington led his troops down this earthen road to Wilmington and eventually to Brandywine to confront the British in 1777.[8] In 1799, the “Queens Highway” was improved as a plank road, and tolls were levied. The population of the area continued to increase after the American Revolutionary War. Consequently, a private elementary subscription school was founded in 1800 on a site at Chester Pike and Myrtle Avenue. This was one of the first schools in Delaware County.[5]

Ridley Park was founded by Isaac Hinckley in 1871. He was the President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad.[9] He wanted to expand the company’s rail line to gain more business in the same way the Pennsylvania Railroad had earlier created a Main Line from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia to Paoli. The Pennsylvania Railroad bought up farmland and developed towns all along its rail line. City dwellers, seeking relief from the urban crowds with their potential to spread malaria a disease that was a major health concern at the time, quickly purchased the new homes being built.[9]

Find the Right Sonography Degree Programs Ridley Park PA

Selecting the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is an important first step to starting a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay calm when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonography Degree Programs. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are looking at. This holds true whether you enroll in an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Ridley Park PA.