Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Herndon VA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Herndon Virginia

Herndon VA ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Herndon VA, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a college. First, you need to find the right program that will provide the necessary education to become a skilled professional. And since some 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 licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each school so that you can evaluate and compare your choices. But exactly where does one begin? A number of students will begin by searching for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally location and cost must be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internship programs. These and other qualifications will be covered more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.

Sonogram Tech Work Description

Herndon VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one acceptable 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 implement diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Herndon VA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily work duties of a sonogram tech can include:

Preserving records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degree Programs Offered

Herndon VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually take around 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finalize. Another alternative for those who have previously received 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 health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that most ultrasound technician programs do have a practical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many colleges organize with Herndon VA clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to fulfill the certification or licensing requirements in Virginia or whatever state you elect to practice in.

Online Sonogram Tech Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Herndon VA As aforementioned, almost all sonogram tech schools have a practical component to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can usually be fulfilled through an internship at a local Herndon VA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the remainder of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Herndon home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that keep working while earning their degrees. In addition online programs are many times more affordable than on-campus options. Expenditures for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But similarly as with any sonographer school you are looking at, check that the online program you select is accredited. Among 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 job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Sonography Colleges

Questions to ask Herndon VA ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Herndon VA area. Obviously location will be significant if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification also. But there are additional factors that you should also take into consideration, such as if the colleges are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonographer program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm 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 earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations 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 help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Herndon VA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the sonogram tech programs you are evaluating have associations with Herndon VA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Herndon healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Herndon VA residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally 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 decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Herndon 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 need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Herndon VA?

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

Herndon, Virginia

Herndon is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area of the United States. The population was 23,292 at the 2010 census, which makes it the largest of three incorporated towns in the county.[3]

Herndon was named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer and author of Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon. Commander Herndon captained the ill-fated steamer SS Central America, going down with his ship while helping to save over 150 of its passengers and crew. The settlement was named Herndon in 1858. In the 1870s, many Northern soldiers and their families came to settle in the area, taking advantage of moderate climate and low land prices. Herndon also offered a group of friendly and local Native Americans who helped the town to prosper via trade and instruction.[4]

Originally part of the rural surroundings of the Washington, D.C. area, the town of Herndon developed into a hub of dairy farming and vacationing for area residents, aided by its presence along the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad (later to become the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad).[4] When the railroad was converted into a hike-and-bike trail, Herndon capitalized on history and small-town feel (in a major metropolitan region) by converting its train station into a museum and visitors center by relocating a Norfolk Southern Railway caboose to a nearby site and repainting it in W&OD livery.[5]

The caboose was originally acquired in 1989 by Herndon Historical Society member, George Moore, whose memory the caboose was dedicated to after his death in 2003.[6][5] Although the caboose itself never traveled through Herndon, it remains an iconic part of the downtown area that both locals and tourists visit daily.[5] The caboose and station offer a glimpse of the original downtown's historic charm, which residents are passionate about preserving.[5]

Find the Right Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Herndon VA

Picking the right ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a vital first step to initiating a gratifying new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to satisfying academic requirements, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for lengthy periods and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Additional desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep 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 Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This is true whether you select an online program or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Herndon VA.