College Courses For Ultrasound Technician Sellersville PA

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Technician Training Program near Sellersville Pennsylvania

Sellersville PA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Sellersville PA, the next step is to begin the process of choosing a college. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will furnish the necessary training to become a skilled professional. And given that a number of states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, 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 college in order to assess and compare your options. But just where does one start? Most prospective students will begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Description

Sellersville PA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several 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 description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Even though many work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Sellersville PA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily job duties of an ultrasound tech may consist of:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining need for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the performance and safety of their machines. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education training on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Sellersville PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve about 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have already received 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 health sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require 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 curriculum. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges set up with Sellersville PA hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in Pennsylvania or whichever state you elect to work in.

Online Ultrasound Technician Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Sellersville PA As aforementioned, almost all sonogram technician colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either carried out in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus medical care provider. Practical training can often be satisfied through an internship at a local Sellersville PA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the balance of the classes and training can be attended online in your Sellersville home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online colleges are often less expensive than on campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But just as with any sonographer college you are looking at, check that the online program you select is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes away from 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 Sellersville PA ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on the type of 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 choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Sellersville PA area. Of course location will be important if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier also. But there are other things that you should also take into account, such as if the schools are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are some questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech school before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Sellersville PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the sonogram tech colleges you are assessing have partnerships with Sellersville PA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Sellersville health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the sonographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Sellersville PA residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the ultrasound tech program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Sellersville PA area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Sellersville PA?

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

Sellersville, Pennsylvania

Sellersville was founded in the early 18th century. It was centered on a major road known as Bethlehem Pike that connected Philadelphia to Bethlehem and the rest of what was then far Western Pennsylvania. The town was very small and was called Sellers Tavern. Its most notable feature was a large inn. The present Washington House in Sellersville, however, was not Sellers Tavern. The town grew slowly over the years until the Industrial Revolution. In the 1860s the North Pennsylvania Railroad was built, running parallel to Bethlehem Pike: this stimulated the growth of light textile industries and brought a wave of population growth. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek runs through the town which connects it to an adjacent town of Perkasie. This creek was dammed in the early 20th century creating a small body of water known as Lake Lenape. Along the length of the lake a park was built on Perkasie and Sellersville lands. In the 1920s and 1930s this park housed a carousel, a roller coaster and several other amusements. The railroad brought hundreds of people from Philadelphia in the summer time, and it became a well known vacation spot for blue collar city workers. The town was also home to the Radium Company of America, which was the largest uranium milling facility in the world at the time. A business operating under the name of the United States Gauge Company originated in Sellersville in 1904 and allegedly became a prominent manufacturer of gauges for military use, many of which were coated with radium-based paint[3] for nighttime luminesence. The company later became instrumental in the production of nuclear weapons,[4] leaving behind a legacy of industrial and radioactive contamination that has been well-hidden by local, county, state, and federal government agencies for decades.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Today the town is still relatively small, sandwiched in between a ridge line and the larger town of Perkasie. The center of town still runs along Bethlehem Pike which is now called Old Route 309. The Washington House has recently been restored to become an upscale restaurant. Next door to the restaurant was a livery stable, which was converted into a theater (later a movie theater) in 1894. It has since been restored, and reopened in 2001 as Sellersville Theater 1894- a popular live music venue. The creek is still dammed but only the carousel in Perkasie remains of the amusements. The textile industry has long moved out of the area and Sellersville has become mainly a residential town for people working in the many urban centers that are only a short commute away. Grand View Hospital, Bucks County’s first hospital, has provided residents of Bucks and Montgomery counties with comprehensive healthcare services since 1913. The town is surrounded on three sides by open country and spread out housing developments. The local firehouse provides various activities throughout the year, including a carnival in the summer. The Holiday House Pool and Recreation Center becomes a hotspot for people to escape the heat during the summer as well. There are various business along Main Street one of which is the Washington House. This strip of businesses along Main Street provide some jobs as well, but largely the town remains a residential area. There is a Sellersville Museum off of Main Street which displays different exhibits every month.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), of which, 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (1.69%) is water. It is located in Southeastern Pennsylvania as part of Northern Bucks County (colloquially referred to as Upper Bucks) which borders Northampton County, and Lehigh County.

As of the census[16] of 2010, there were 4,249 people residing in the borough. The racial makeup of the borough was 93.6% White, 1.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 4,564 people, 1,770 households, and 1,198 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,934.1 people per square mile (1,519.1/km²). There were 1,827 housing units at an average density of 1,574.8 per square mile (608.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.30% White, 0.57% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.

Find the Right College Courses For Ultrasound Technician Sellersville PA

Enrolling in the right ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is an important first step to embarking on a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for extended durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Additional preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay calm when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in College Courses For Ultrasound Technician. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are considering. This is the case whether you choose an online program or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can assess 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 right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can reach your objective to practice as an sonographer in Sellersville PA.