Sonography Associates Degree Annandale VA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Annandale Virginia

Annandale VA ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Annandale VA, the next step is to begin the procedure of selecting a school. First, you have to find the right program that will furnish the necessary instruction to become a qualified professional. And given that some states do mandate that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each school so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one start? A number of students will begin by searching for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost should be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other critical factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.

Sonographer Work Summary

Annandale VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are multiple professional 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 primary job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Annandale VA hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job duties of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining need for further testing

Sonographers must frequently gauge the performance and safety 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 courses on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered

Annandale VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician students have the option to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have previously earned 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 enroll in a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training element as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many schools sponsor through Annandale VA hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Virginia or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Online Sonogram Tech Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Annandale VA As previously mentioned, almost all ultrasound tech schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either held in an on-campus laboratory or at an approved off-campus facility. Clinical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Annandale VA hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. However the remainder of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Annandale home. This is particularly convenient for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. In addition online schools are frequently more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But similarly as with any sonographer college you are considering, confirm that the online program you choose is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask Annandale VA ultrasound tech schools Once you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can initiate the procedure of evaluating and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Annandale VA area. Obviously location will be critical if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier also. But there are other factors that you must also take into account, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to verify that the school and program 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 earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Annandale VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the ultrasound technician programs you are interested in have relationships with Annandale VA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Annandale healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the sonographer schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Annandale VA home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern 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 decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Annandale VA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out 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 Annandale VA?

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

Annandale, Virginia

Annandale is located at 38°50′3″N 77°12′41″W / 38.83417°N 77.21139°W / 38.83417; -77.21139 (38.834134, −77.211277).[6] Annandale is mostly traversed by the Capital Beltway and Virginia State Route 236. The center of town is considered to be where Route 236, Columbia Pike, and Backlick Road meet around two miles (3 km) east of Interstate 495 on Route 236.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.86 square miles (20.4 km2), all of it land. The area is part of the coastal plain located just east of the Fall Line separating the coastal plain of Virginia from the Piedmont. It is characterized by rolling hills, stream valleys, and heavy red clay soils.

The Annandale region is bisected by Accotink Creek, which in Colonial times was a primary link for ocean-going ships that would load tobacco and other goods where Little River Turnpike - Annandale's oldest road and the first toll road in America - crosses it. With the construction of the Springfield Dam in 1918, Lake Accotink was created to serve as a water source for World War I Army Camp A.A. Humphreys. In 1960, when the lake was no longer needed by the Army, the Fairfax County Park Authority leased the land and finally bought the site in 1965.[7] Today, Lake Accotink is a popular recreation area with bike trails, fishing and boat rentals.

Also along Accotink Creek runs the Fairfax Cross County Trail (CCT) which provides uninterrupted hiking, biking, running and cross-country skiing for 20 miles (32 km) in Annandale. The CCT meanders through parks and forests filled with deer, fox, geese and numerous species of native birds. In the spring, Accotink Creek is stocked with trout, and fishermen are often seen wading in its waters.

Find the Right Sonography Associates Degree Annandale VA

Picking the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is a vital first step to initiating a fulfilling new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic standards, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for extended durations and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machinery. Additional helpful skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain collected when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonography Associates Degree. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing. This is the case whether you select an online degree or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each program, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can realize your objective to work as an sonographer in Annandale VA.