Ultrasound Diagnostic School Dulles VA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Dulles Virginia

Dulles VA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Dulles VA, the next step is to start the procedure of selecting a school. First, you must find the right program that will furnish the proper education to become a qualified professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that sonographers be either licensed or certified, 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 investigate each college so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? A number of students will begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional important factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in detail later in this post. But to start with, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education options that are offered.

Sonographer Job Description

Dulles VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Dulles VA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job tasks of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and identifying need for further testing

Sonographers must regularly evaluate the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Available

Dulles VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to 4 years to finish. Another alternative 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 relevant medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician colleges do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many colleges organize through Dulles VA hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification prerequisites in Virginia or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Sonographer Online Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Dulles VA As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Clinical training can typically be fulfilled through an internship at a local Dulles VA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the balance of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Dulles home. This is especially beneficial for those students that keep working while getting their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less costly than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech college you are reviewing, confirm 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 crucial for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Dulles VA ultrasound tech schools Once you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can initiate the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Dulles VA area. Clearly location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification also. But there are other factors that you should also take into consideration, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are some questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? Most ultrasound tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone an extensive evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also receive 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. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Dulles VA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the sonogram tech programs you are assessing have associations with Dulles VA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Dulles healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the sonographer schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Dulles VA home. 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 concern. One thing 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 typically 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.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on 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 ultrasound technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the ultrasound tech program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Dulles VA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Dulles VA?

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

Dulles, Virginia

Dulles (/ˈdʌlɪs/) is an unincorporated area in Loudoun County, Virginia, which is part of the Washington metropolitan area. The headquarters of Orbital ATK, GeoEye, and ODIN technologies and the former headquarters of MCI Inc. and AOL are located in Dulles. The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington forecast office and the National Weather Service's Sterling Field Support Center are also both in Dulles.

Dulles covers roughly the southwestern third of Sterling, Virginia (another unincorporated community). The usage of Dulles as a community name began in the mid-1980s when Loudoun County economic development officer Pam Treadwell successfully lobbied[1] the United States Postal Service to allow Sterling businesses and residents to use Dulles as an alternative address. The USPS defines Dulles as an "acceptable" city name for the 20166 zip code, whose "actual" city name is Sterling.[2]

Washington Dulles International Airport is located partially in Dulles (although its postal address uses the Sterling name instead) and partially in Fairfax County. The community derives its name from the airport; the airport in turn takes its name from former U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles (1888–1959).

Orbital ATK has its headquarters on Warp Drive in Dulles.[3]AOL had its headquarters at 22000 AOL Way in Dulles.[4] In 2007 AOL announced that it would move its headquarters from Loudoun County to New York City; though it would continue to operate its Virginia offices.[5]

Find the Right Ultrasound Diagnostic School Dulles VA

Picking the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to entering a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Additional helpful talents include technical aptitude, the ability to stay calm when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Diagnostic School. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This holds true whether you enroll in an online degree or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each college, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Dulles VA.