How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Memphis Texas
Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Memphis TX, it’s time to start the process of picking a college. First, you must find the ideal program that will furnish the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you research each school in order to evaluate and compare your options. But exactly where does one begin? A number of prospective students will start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost must be considered when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and other 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 education programs that are available.
Ultrasound Tech Work Summary
There are various acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called 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 testing on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority work in Memphis TX clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job functions of an ultrasound tech may consist of:
- Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and recalibrating them
- Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Evaluating results and identifying necessity for additional testing
Sonographers must regularly assess the safety and performance of their equipment. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.
Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Available
Sonogram technician enrollees have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to finish. 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 related medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to bear in mind is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges sponsor through Memphis TX clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Texas or whatever state you choose to work in.
Online Sonographer Degrees
As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram technician schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive 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 medical care provider. Practical training can usually be fulfilled through an internship at a local Memphis TX hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be attended online in your Memphis home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online colleges are frequently less expensive than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But similarly as with any sonography program you are reviewing, verify that the online school you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially significant for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Ultrasound Technician Colleges
After you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the procedure of evaluating and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Memphis TX area. Certainly location will be critical if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification as well. But there are additional factors that you should also take into account, for example 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 may want to ask each ultrasound tech program prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a detailed review of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Memphis TX health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the sonogram tech programs you are reviewing have associations with Memphis TX clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Memphis healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the sonographer schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Texas healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Memphis TX residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer school you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Memphis TX area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Memphis TX?
If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Memphis Texas, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.
Memphis, Texas
Memphis, Texas, the county seat of Hall County, is at the junction of U.S. Highway 287, State Highway 256, and Farm Road 1547, in the northeastern part of the county. It started in 1889, when J. C. Montgomery purchased land for a townsite north of Salisbury on the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway. This land had been previously owned by W. H. Robertson, who had a dugout near Parker Creek. Montgomery and Robertson, with Rev. J. W. Brice and T. J. Woods, Jr., of Dallas, formed a townsite company and presented a plat early in January 1890. P. M. Kelly opened a law office. A rooming house (later the Memphis Hotel), a general store, a drugstore, and several residences were soon erected. For a time, the new town was without a name. Several suggestions were submitted to federal postal authorities, but with negative results. Finally, as the story goes, Reverend Brice, while in Austin, happened to see a letter addressed by accident to Memphis, Texas, rather than Tennessee, with the notation "no such town in Texas". The name was submitted and accepted, and a post office was established on September 12, 1890, with Robertson as postmaster.
In the meantime, Hall County was being organized. Memphis was engaged in a heated county seat battle with neighboring Salisbury and Lakeview. Memphis won the election with a total of 84 votes. County officers were elected in June, and a school district was subsequently formed. Since Memphis was without a depot and trains did not stop there, certain citizens sought to remedy that situation by smearing the tracks with lye soap. A subsequent agreement was struck between town promoters and railroad officials. In 1891, a depot was built, and businesses were moved on wheels from Salisbury to the new county seat, where a courthouse of homemade bricks was constructed in 1892.
Memphis thus enjoyed a boom period. Two saloons, a bank, numerous stores, blacksmith shops, and livery stables attested to its role as a shipping and trading center for area ranchers and farmers. The Missionary Baptist Church was organized in Memphis; its minister Rev. J. L. Pyle began Baptist congregations throughout the county. Telephone service was first installed in 1901. In June 1906, the town was incorporated with a mayor-council form of city government. The Memphis Cotton Oil Mill was established in 1907. Memphis had at one time or another several newspapers, including the Hall County Record (1889–93), the Hall County Herald (1890–1928), the Memphis Journal (1892–94), the Memphis Times (1896), the Memphis Leader (1897–99), the Hall County News (1897–1903), and the Memphis News (1928–29). The only newspaper extant in 1986, the Memphis Democrat, was launched in 1908 and went through a succession of owners. By the 1920s, Memphis had a new brick-and-stone courthouse, modern utilities, a cotton compress, three hotels, brick school buildings, and a Carnegie Library. In 1922, the city's Morning Side addition was founded east of the tracks as a residential area for blacks who labored in the cotton fields and mills. In 1935, E. M. Ewen and his wife formed the Hall County Old Settlers' Reunion (later the Hall County Picnic Association). Four years later, they staged a rodeo as part of the annual two-day celebration.
Since the Great Depression era, Memphis has continued as a farm supply center. In 1986, the city had a cotton compress, gins, a grain elevator, two banks, eight churches, four public schools, a modern medical complex, two motels, several mercantile stores (including three wholesale houses), and a municipal airport northeast of town. In addition, Memphis is noted for its tree-lined streets, city park, one swimming pool, community center, and 50 blocks of brick paving laid in 1926. Brookhollow Country Club Lake, a private fishing lake with cabin sites, is six miles northeast of the city. Heritage Hall, which occupies the old First National Bank building on the square, contains local history displays and natural science exhibits. The population was 3,332 in 1960 and 3,352 in 1980. Memphis reported 81 businesses in 1984. United States Congressman Jack Hightower comes from Memphis. The route of the annual Cotton Boll Enduro, a 125-mile cross-country motorcycle event held in late October, begins and ends at Memphis.[3] In 1990 Memphis had a population of 2,465. The population was 2,479 in 2000 and 2,290 in 2010. [4]
Find the Right Ultrasound And Sonography Schools Memphis TX
Selecting the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a vital first step to commencing a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for extended durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional preferred talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep levelheaded when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound And Sonography Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each program you are considering. This holds true whether you choose an online program or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can compare each college, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as an sonographer in Memphis TX.
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