Sonography Associates Degree Shippensburg PA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Pick the Right Ultrasound Technician School near Shippensburg Pennsylvania

Shippensburg PA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Shippensburg PA, the next step is to start the process of selecting a college. First, you have to find the right program that will furnish the necessary instruction to become a qualified professional. And because a number of states do mandate that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each college so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? Most students will begin by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be addressed more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Work Description

Shippensburg PA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable 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 procedures on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Shippensburg PA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily work duties of an ultrasound tech may include:

Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying need for supplemental testing

Sonographers must regularly gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

Shippensburg PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the program and class load. 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 earned 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 require just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many schools sponsor with Shippensburg PA hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or whichever state you elect to work in.

Online Sonogram Tech Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Shippensburg PA As earlier discussed, nearly all ultrasound technician colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either held in an on-campus laboratory or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Shippensburg PA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the remainder of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Shippensburg home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online programs are often less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just as with any sonographer college you are looking at, check that the online program you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask Shippensburg PA ultrasound tech schools Now that you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Shippensburg PA area. Of course location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are other variables that you should also take into account, such as if the programs are accredited and if they sponsor internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are some questions that you need ask each sonographer college before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. 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 assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Shippensburg PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the ultrasound tech colleges you are assessing have relationships with Shippensburg PA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Shippensburg medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. 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 sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Shippensburg PA home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose 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 commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the ultrasound tech program you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Shippensburg PA area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Shippensburg PA?

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

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg is a borough in Cumberland and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Settled in 1730, Shippensburg lies in the Cumberland Valley, 41 miles (66 km) southwest of Harrisburg, and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,492 at the 2010 census.[5] Of this, 4,416 were in Cumberland County, and 1,076 were in Franklin County.

Shippensburg was incorporated as a borough on January 21, 1819. In the past, there were furniture factories, engine and pump works, and other industrial works located within the town. Shippensburg is the home of the Beistle Company, the oldest and largest manufacturer of decorations and party goods, which sells its distinctive honeycomb paper decorations worldwide. It is also the location of Pague and Fegan, the oldest continuously operated hardware store in Pennsylvania. In May 2012, Volvo Construction Equipment began a $100 million expansion project to bring its American headquarters to Shippensburg.[6]

Shippensburg is the oldest community of the Cumberland Valley, and the second oldest west of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania (after York to the east). In July 1730, 12 Scots-Irish families came to the site of the present-day Shippensburg and built cabin homes along Burd's Run. Shippensburg began as the western outpost of colonial settlement.

The village received its name from Edward Shippen, a prominent resident of Lancaster (and onetime mayor of Philadelphia) who obtained the patent to the land from the heirs of William Penn. Edward Shippen's granddaughter, Peggy Shippen, was historically notable as the wife of General Benedict Arnold, who betrayed the Continental Army by defecting to the British during the American Revolutionary War.

Find the Right Sonography Associates Degree Shippensburg PA

Selecting the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to initiating a rewarding new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for lengthy durations and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other beneficial skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain 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 Sonography Associates Degree. However, as we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program 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 right questions so that you can assess each school, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in Shippensburg PA.