Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs Portsmouth VA

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Portsmouth Virginia

Portsmouth VA ultrasound technician with patient Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Portsmouth VA, it’s time to start the process of choosing a college. To begin with, you must find the right program that will furnish the appropriate instruction to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, 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 in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? Most students will begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be considered when making a decision, but there are other significant factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Job Description

Portsmouth VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several 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 function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Portsmouth VA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily work 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
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying necessity for further testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly assess the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high professional 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 training on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Offered

Portsmouth VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram tech students have the option to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four 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 health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that almost all sonographer colleges do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which numerous colleges organize through Portsmouth VA clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Virginia or whatever state you decide to practice in.

Online Sonogram Tech Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Portsmouth VA As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram tech schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a degree or certificate online, a substantial part of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Practical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Portsmouth VA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the balance of the training and classes may be attended online in your Portsmouth home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. In addition online schools are many times less expensive than on campus options. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But similarly as with every sonographer program you are reviewing, make sure that the online school you choose is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then online classes could be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask Portsmouth VA ultrasound tech schools After you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You may first want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a college campus in the Portsmouth VA area. Clearly location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier as well. But there are additional things that you should also take into consideration, for instance if the schools are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are a few questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech school before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to verify 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Portsmouth VA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the ultrasound technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Portsmouth VA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Portsmouth healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the sonographer schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Portsmouth VA residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry 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 choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. 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 converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the ultrasound tech college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Portsmouth VA area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Portsmouth VA?

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

Portsmouth, Virginia

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S. Navy facility that is actually located in Portsmouth rather than Norfolk; the original name "Gosport" was changed to "Norfolk" to reflect its location in what is now the former Norfolk County, Virginia. The shipyard upgrades, remodels, and repairs ships of the US Navy and is one of the few facilities in the world with the capability to dry dock an aircraft carrier.

Directly opposite Norfolk, the city of Portsmouth also has miles of waterfront land on the Elizabeth River as part of the harbor of Hampton Roads. There is a ferry boat that takes riders back and forth across the water between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is located on the western side of the Elizabeth River directly across from the City of Norfolk. In 1620, the future site of Portsmouth was recognized as suitable shipbuilding location by John Wood, a shipbuilder, who petitioned King James I of England for a land grant. The surrounding area was soon settled as a plantation community.[4]

Portsmouth was founded by Colonel William Crawford, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.[5] It was established as a town in 1752 by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and was named for Portsmouth, England.[4]

Find the Right Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs Portsmouth VA

Selecting the right sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to embarking on a rewarding new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to meeting academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for prolonged periods and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machines. Additional helpful talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay collected when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are considering. This holds true whether you select an online program or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can assess each college, you will be able to narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in Portsmouth VA.