Accredited Ultrasound Schools South Jordan UT - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near South Jordan Utah

South Jordan UT ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near South Jordan UT, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a college. To begin with, you must find the ideal program that will provide the proper education to become a qualified professional. And since some states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each college so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? Most potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other critical factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifications will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are available.

Ultrasound Technician Occupation Summary

South Jordan UT sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in South Jordan UT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily work duties of a sonogram technician can involve:

Keeping records of patient medical 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 re-calibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying necessity for additional testing

Sonographers must routinely assess the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

South Jordan UT ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the opportunity to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to finish. Another alternative for those who have already obtained a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have received a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a related medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician programs do have a practical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges sponsor with South Jordan UT clinics and hospitals. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification prerequisites in Utah or whichever state you decide to work in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Schools

woman attending online sonography school in South Jordan UT As earlier discussed, nearly all ultrasound tech schools have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can earn a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either held in an on campus laboratory or at an authorized off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can often be satisfied through an internship at a local South Jordan UT outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the rest of the training and classes may be accessed online in your South Jordan home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online colleges are often less expensive than on-campus options. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just as with every sonographer college you are considering, make sure that the online program you ultimately pick is accredited. Among 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 job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs

Questions to ask South Jordan UT ultrasound tech schools After you have determined the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the South Jordan UT area. Clearly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional factors that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internships. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive review of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many South Jordan UT employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the ultrasound technician programs you are assessing have partnerships with South Jordan UT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the South Jordan health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Utah healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their South Jordan UT home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the sonographer program you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the South Jordan UT area, make sure that they are offered. 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 have to enroll in. Also, ask 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 South Jordan UT?

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

South Jordan, Utah

South Jordan is a city in south central Salt Lake County, Utah, 18 miles (29 km) south of Salt Lake City. Part of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the city lies in the Salt Lake Valley along the banks of the Jordan River between the 9,000-foot (2,700 m) Oquirrh Mountains and the 12,000-foot (3,700 m) Wasatch Mountains. The city has 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of the Jordan River Parkway that contains fishing ponds, trails, parks, and natural habitats. The Salt Lake County fair grounds and equestrian park, 67-acre (27 ha) Oquirrh Lake, and 27 parks are located inside the city. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 50,418.

Founded in 1859 by Mormon settlers and historically an agrarian town, South Jordan has become a rapidly growing bedroom community of Salt Lake City. Kennecott Land, a land development company, has recently begun construction on the master-planned Daybreak Community for the entire western half of South Jordan, potentially doubling South Jordan's population. South Jordan is the first city in the world with two temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jordan River Utah Temple and Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. The city has two TRAX light rail stops, as well as one commuter rail stop on the FrontRunner. South Jordan is also a growing tech hub with headquarters of companies like IT software company Ivanti.

The first known inhabitants were members of the Desert Archaic Culture who were nomadic hunter-gatherers. From 400 A.D. to around 1350 A.D., the Fremont people settled into villages and farmed corn and squash.[5] Changes in climatic conditions to a cooler, drier period and the movement into the area of ancestors of the Ute, Paiute, and Shoshone, led to the disappearance of the Fremont people.[6] When European settlers arrived, there were no permanent Native American settlements in the Salt Lake Valley, but the area bordered several tribes – the territory of the Northwestern Shoshone to the north,[7] the Timpanogots band of the Utes to the south in Utah Valley,[8] and the Goshutes to the west in Tooele Valley.[9]

The only recorded trapper to lead a party through the area was Étienne Provost, a French Canadian. In October 1824, Provost's party was lured into an Indian camp somewhere along the Jordan River north of Utah Lake. The people responsible for the attack were planning revenge against Provost's party for an earlier unexplained incident involving other trappers. Provost escaped, but his men were caught off-guard and fifteen of them were killed.[10]

Find the Right Accredited Ultrasound Schools South Jordan UT

Choosing the right ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to commencing a fulfilling new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for extended periods and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Other helpful talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain levelheaded when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Ultrasound Schools. However, as we have covered in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at. This is the case 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 college, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as an ultrasound tech in South Jordan UT.