Prenatal Ultrasound Technician Schools Springfield VA

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Technician School near Springfield Virginia

Springfield VA ultrasound technician with patient Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Springfield VA, it’s time to begin the process of choosing a college. First, you have to find the right program that will furnish the appropriate education to become a qualified professional. And because some 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 exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each college in order to assess and compare your choices. But just where does one start? A number of potential students will start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost should be considered when making a decision, but there are additional important factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education options that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Work Summary

Springfield VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs work as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Springfield VA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job duties of a sonogram technician may consist of:

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 use and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying necessity for further testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Springfield VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician students have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally require around 18 months to 2 years to finish dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to complete. Another option for individuals who have already 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 sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician programs do have a clinical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which many schools set up with Springfield VA hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to satisfy the licensing or certification requirements in Virginia or whatever state you choose to work in.

Online Sonographer Colleges

woman attending online sonography school in Springfield VA As previously mentioned, almost all ultrasound technician schools have a clinical requirement to their programs. So although you can earn a degree or certificate online, a substantial part of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus laboratory or at an approved off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Springfield VA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the remainder of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Springfield home. This is particularly convenient for those students that keep working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online schools are frequently less costly than traditional options. Costs for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just as with any sonography school you are looking at, confirm that the online school you select is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools

Questions to ask Springfield VA ultrasound tech schools When you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to decide whether you will attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Springfield VA area. Obviously location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are additional things that you should also take into consideration, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they sponsor internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are some questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations 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 gone through an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Springfield VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the sonogram technician programs you are assessing have relationships with Springfield VA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Springfield medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the sonographer schools you are reviewing 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 highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Springfield VA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for 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 prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the ultrasound tech program you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Springfield VA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Springfield VA?

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

Springfield, Virginia

Springfield is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The Springfield CDP is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau with a population of 30,484 as of the 2010 census. Homes and businesses in bordering CDPs including North Springfield, West Springfield, and Newington are usually given a "Springfield" mailing address. The population of the collective areas with Springfield addresses is estimated to exceed 100,000. The CDP is a part of Northern Virginia, the most populous region of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20.4 km²), of which, 7.9 square miles (20.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.49%) is water.

The area is dominated by the interchange of I-95, I-395, and the Capital Beltway (I-495), known as the Springfield Interchange. The center of the town is at the intersection of Route 644 (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road) and Route 617 (Backlick Road) adjacent to the interchange. A significant commercial district exists around the interchange area, but the rest of the community is primarily residential in character.

A saw and grist mill was constructed in the vicinity of what is today Springfield between 1796 and 1800. Owned by James Keene, it gave its name to today's Old Keene Mill Road. The mill served farms in the area for around sixty years before its discontinuation. Nothing remains of it today save for two mill races.[5]

Find the Right Prenatal Ultrasound Technician Schools Springfield VA

Picking the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to entering a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for lengthy time frames and able to regularly lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional helpful talents include technical aptitude, the ability to keep collected when confronted by 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 Prenatal Ultrasound Technician Schools. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing. This is the case 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 program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an sonographer in Springfield VA.