Sonogram Technician School Virginia Beach VA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Technician Training Program near Virginia Beach Virginia

Virginia Beach VA ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Virginia Beach VA, it’s time to start the process of choosing a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And since some states do mandate that sonographers 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 evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one start? Most potential students will begin by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost must be considered when making a decision, but there are other critical factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internships. These and additional qualifications will be covered more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Job Summary

Virginia Beach VA sonographer testing pregnant woman There are more than one professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Although a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Virginia Beach VA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Routine daily work functions of an ultrasound tech may consist of:

Maintaining records of patient case histories and specifics 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
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining necessity for further testing

Ultrasound techs must frequently evaluate the performance and safety of their machines. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered

Virginia Beach VA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound technician enrollees have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally take about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to complete. Another alternative for those who have already earned a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that almost all sonographer schools do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which many colleges organize with Virginia Beach VA clinics and hospitals. After 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 choose to work in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Virginia Beach VA As aforementioned, almost all ultrasound tech colleges have a practical component to their programs. So while you can earn a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at an approved off campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Virginia Beach VA outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the remainder of the classes and training can be attended online in your Virginia Beach home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online colleges are frequently more affordable than on campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But similarly as with every sonographer school you are reviewing, make sure that the online school you select is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly important for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Ultrasound Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Virginia Beach VA ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You may first want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Virginia Beach VA area. Of course location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are other variables that you must also take into account, for example if the schools are accredited and if they provide internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, following are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer school prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Schools Accredited? Most sonogram technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded 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 a rigorous review of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged 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 acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Virginia Beach VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the sonogram tech colleges you are evaluating have relationships with Virginia Beach VA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Virginia Beach healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the sonographer schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Virginia Beach VA home. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often 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 likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the ultrasound tech program you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Virginia Beach VA area, confirm 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 carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Virginia Beach VA?

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

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 437,994.[3] In 2015, the population was estimated to be 452,745.[4] In 2017 estimated population was 450,435.[5][6] Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city in Virginia and the 41st most populous city in the nation.[7] Located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is included in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. This area, known as "America's First Region", also includes the independent cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, as well as other smaller cities, counties, and towns of Hampton Roads.

Virginia Beach is a resort city with miles of beaches and hundreds of hotels, motels, and restaurants along its oceanfront. Every year the city hosts the East Coast Surfing Championships as well as the North American Sand Soccer Championship, a beach soccer tournament. It is also home to several state parks, several long-protected beach areas, three military bases, a number of large corporations, Regent University, International headquarters and site of the television broadcast studios for Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment, and numerous historic sites. Near the point where the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet, Cape Henry was the site of the first landing of the English colonists, who eventually settled in Jamestown, on April 26, 1607.

The city is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having the longest pleasure beach in the world. It is located at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the longest bridge-tunnel complex in the world.[8]

The Chesepian were the historic indigenous people of the area now known as Tidewater in Virginia at the time of European encounter. Little is known about them[9] but archeological evidence suggests they may have been related to the Carolina Algonquian, or Pamlico people. They would have spoken one of the Algonquian languages. These were common among the numerous tribes of the coastal area, who made up the loose Powhatan Confederacy, numbering in the tens of thousands in population. The Chesepian occupied an area which is now defined as the independent cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach.[10]

Find the Right Sonogram Technician School Virginia Beach VA

Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound technician degree or certificate program is a vital first step to entering a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Apart from meeting academic standards, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended time frames with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machines. Additional preferred talents include technical aptitude, the ability to remain 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 Sonogram Technician School. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing. This holds true whether you select an online program or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each school, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal 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 Virginia Beach VA.