Ultrasound Technician College Degree Shrewsbury PA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Technician Degree Program near Shrewsbury Pennsylvania

Shrewsbury PA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Shrewsbury PA, the next step is to start the process of choosing a school. First, you must find the right program that will furnish the proper training to become a skilled professional. And given that some states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you research each school so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? Most prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be considered when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training options that are available.

Ultrasound Tech Occupation Description

Shrewsbury PA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job function, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Shrewsbury PA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily job functions of a sonogram tech can involve:

Preserving records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying necessity for further testing

Sonographers must regularly evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Available

Shrewsbury PA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically require around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have already 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 related health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that most sonographer programs do have a practical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which many colleges sponsor through Shrewsbury PA hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Online Sonogram Tech Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Shrewsbury PA As aforementioned, virtually all ultrasound tech schools have a practical component to their programs. So while you can earn a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus facility. Practical training can typically be fulfilled through an internship at a local Shrewsbury PA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the remainder of the training and classes may be attended online in your Shrewsbury home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. In addition online colleges are many times less expensive than on-campus options. Costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But just as with any sonography program you are considering, check that the online school you ultimately pick is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies 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 disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Sonography Schools

Questions to ask Shrewsbury PA ultrasound tech schools Now that you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the procedure of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You may first want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Shrewsbury PA area. Obviously location will be critical if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are other factors that you should also take into account, for example if the schools are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer college before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? Most sonogram technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive review of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance 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 assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Shrewsbury PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are evaluating have associations with Shrewsbury PA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Shrewsbury healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Shrewsbury PA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area 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 even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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 Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average 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 decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk 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 last you must confirm that the sonographer school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Shrewsbury PA area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. 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 Shrewsbury PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 851

Pennsylvania Route 851 (PA 851) is a 32.6-mile-long (52.5 km) state highway located in York County, Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at PA 516 in the Codorus Township community of Sticks. The eastern terminus is at PA 74 in Peach Bottom Township. PA 851 is a two-lane undivided road that runs through rural areas in southern York County a short distance to the north of the Maryland border. The route heads east from Sticks to New Freedom, where it turns north and intersects PA 616 in Railroad. PA 851 heads east through Shrewsbury and comes to an interchange with Interstate 83 (I-83). From here, the route heads east and passes through Stewartstown, where it forms a short concurrency with PA 24, and Fawn Grove, where it intersects PA 425, before continuing to its terminus. PA 851 has a truck route, PA 851 Truck, which bypasses the stretch between New Freedom and Shrewsbury.

PA 851 was designated in 1928 to run from Woodbine north to PA 74 in Airville. In 1937, PA 851 was realigned to run from U.S. Route 111 (US 111) at Main Street in Shrewsbury east to PA 74 north of Delta, with the former alignment between Woodbine and Airville becoming an extension of PA 124 (now PA 425). The same year, the road between Sticks and New Freedom became an extended PA 516 while the road between New Freedom and Railroad became an extended PA 616. PA 516 was extended east to I-83/US 111 east of Shrewsbury in the 1950s, replacing PA 616 between New Freedom and Railroad and cutting the west end of PA 851 back to the interchange. PA 851 was extended west to PA 516 in Sticks in the 1960s, replacing the part of PA 516 between Sticks and I-83. A roundabout was constructed at PA 74 in 2008.

PA 851 begins at an intersection with PA 516 just south of PA 216 in the community of Sticks in Codorus Township, York County, heading southeast on Steltz Road. The road winds southeast through farmland with some woods and homes, eventually bending to the south. The route turns east to remain along Steltz Road and runs a short distance to the north of the Maryland border, passing through the community of Steitz and crossing into Shrewsbury Township. PA 851 turns northeast away from the state line and continues through a mix of farm fields and woodland with occasional residences. The road curves east and then southeast before it makes a sharp turn to the northeast. The route becomes the border between Shrewsbury Township to the west and the borough of New Freedom to the east, passing between farmland to the west and residential neighborhoods to the east. PA 851 curves east to fully enter New Freedom and turns southeast onto West Main Street, passing a mix of homes and businesses. The route turns northeast onto North 2nd Street, with PA 851 Truck continuing east along West Main Street, and continues through residential areas. The road curves north into wooded areas and runs to the west of Old Mill Creek, the Steam into History tourist railroad, and the York County Heritage Rail Trail. PA 851 crosses into the borough of Railroad and becomes South Main Street, quickly turning west and then north as it runs through a mix of woods and residences. The route comes to an intersection with the southern terminus of PA 616, at which point it turns east onto East Main Street and crosses the South Branch Codorus Creek and both the Steam into History line and the York County Heritage Rail Trail. The road continues through wooded areas with some homes before leaving Railroad for Shrewsbury Township and turning northeast through farm fields.[2][3]

PA 851 enters the borough of Shrewsbury and becomes West Railroad Avenue, passing residences with some farmland to the south. The route turns north onto Park Avenue before heading east along West Forrest Avenue. PA 851 runs past homes and businesses in the center of Shrewsbury and crosses Main Street, where PA 851 Truck returns to the route. Past this intersection, the road becomes East Forrest Avenue and runs past more residences before gaining a center left-turn lane and heading through business areas along the border between Shrewsbury to the north and Shrewsbury Township to the south. The route fully enters Shrewsbury Township and comes to an interchange with I-83. Following this interchange, PA 851 runs past more commercial establishments before narrowing to two lanes and heading southeast, passing to the north of a park and ride lot. The route heads into farmland with some woods and homes parallel to Deer Creek to the northeast. The road curves east and crosses Deer Creek into Hopewell Township, continuing through rural areas with some development as Bridgeview Road. The route passes through the communities of Orwig, Reimold, and Zeigler before it runs through residential areas and heads into the borough of Stewartstown. Here, PA 851 becomes North Hill Street and heads southeast through industrial and commercial areas, crossing the Stewartstown Railroad. The route passes homes and some businesses, turning east onto West Pennsylvania Avenue and continuing to an intersection with PA 24 in the center of Stewartstown. At this point, PA 851 turns south for a concurrency with PA 24 on North Main Street for a block. PA 851 splits from PA 24 by heading east onto College Avenue, heading through residential areas.[2][3]

Find the Right Ultrasound Technician College Degree Shrewsbury PA

Picking the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is an important first step to commencing a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for lengthy time frames and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machines. Other desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep levelheaded when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Technician College Degree. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing. This holds true whether you select an online program or travel to the school 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 options until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Shrewsbury PA.