Sonography Course Clifton VA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Clifton Virginia

Clifton VA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Clifton VA, it’s time to begin the process of choosing a school. First, you need to find the right program that will provide the proper training to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you research each program in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? Most prospective students will begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location must be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are offered.

Sonogram Tech Job Description

Clifton VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several professional 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 carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Clifton VA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Common daily work duties of an ultrasound tech can involve:

Keeping records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and identifying need for supplemental testing

Sonographers must frequently evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Offered

Clifton VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech enrollees have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the course load and program. 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 received a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a related health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to bear in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training element as a portion of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which many schools set up through Clifton VA clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in Virginia or whatever state you choose to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Schools

woman attending online sonography school in Clifton VA As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram tech schools have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Clifton VA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the remainder of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Clifton home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online colleges are often less expensive than traditional options. Costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech program you are considering, make sure that the online school you choose is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations 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 away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools

Questions to ask Clifton VA ultrasound tech schools Now that you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You may first want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a school campus in the Clifton VA area. Of course location will be important if you choose the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification as well. But there are other things that you must also take into consideration, for example if the colleges are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are some questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive review of their instructors 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. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Clifton VA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the sonogram tech programs you are reviewing have relationships with Clifton VA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means 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 may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Clifton health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the sonographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Clifton VA 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 importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Clifton VA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Clifton VA?

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

Clifton, Virginia

Incorporated by the General Assembly on March 9, 1902, Clifton is one of only three towns in the county, the other two being Vienna and Herndon. Clifton's history begins pre-colonially, when the area was used as hunting grounds by the local Dogue Native American tribe. A railroad siding was constructed here during the Civil War, and the area became titled as Devereux Station. A nearby neighborhood on the outskirts of the Clifton ZIP code has this name. Development of a village at the siding began in 1868 when a railroad depot, named "Clifton Station", was constructed.

Unlike most areas in Northern Virginia, the land around Clifton is far less built up than nearby areas, especially to its east and southwest. This was out of the worry that overdevelopment near Bull Run and the Occoquan River would be environmentally damaging to the Occoquan Reservoir. Consequently, as development edged near the area in the late 1970s and early 1980s, an ordinance was enacted stating that only one building could be placed on 5-acre (20,000 m2) parcels that have not already been divided. Today, the southern and eastern portions of the area are heavily forested, with single-family homes, while the northern area has become equestrian areas.

Before the arrival of European settlers, the present-day Clifton area was part of the hunting grounds used by Algonquin-speaking members of the Dogue tribe. The Dogue lived in villages and towns along the Potomac River and nearby Occoquan River. They carved bowls out of soapstone found in the area.[4]

European settlers composed of Scots merchants created the first nearby port settlement in the mid-1710s near the present-day Dumfries-Triangle area.[5] Land in the Clifton area began to be settled in the early 18th century.[6]

Find the Right Sonography Course Clifton VA

Selecting the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for prolonged periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machines. Other helpful talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay collected when confronted by 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 Course. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are considering. This holds true whether you choose an online degree or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each program, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can reach your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Clifton VA.