Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Edmonds WA - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech School near Edmonds Washington

Edmonds WA ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Edmonds WA, it’s time to begin the process of choosing a school. First, you have to find the ideal program that will furnish the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And since a number of states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you research each program in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one start? A number of potential students will begin by searching for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifications will be covered more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are offered.

Ultrasound Tech Job Summary

Edmonds WA 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). Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While many work as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Edmonds WA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work tasks of an ultrasound tech can involve:

Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining necessity for further testing

Sonographers must routinely evaluate 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 degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Offered

Edmonds WA ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech enrollees have the option to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve about 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon 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 previously received 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 relevant medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a practical training element as a portion of their course of study. It often may be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many schools sponsor through Edmonds WA clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in Washington or whatever state you decide to work in.

Sonographer Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Edmonds WA As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram tech colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can earn a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at an approved off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Edmonds WA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Edmonds home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that keep working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online schools are frequently more affordable than traditional alternatives. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But similarly as with every sonographer school you are looking at, make sure that the online program you choose is accredited. Among 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 finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Edmonds WA ultrasound tech schools Now that you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of evaluating and comparing sonogram tech colleges. You may first want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Edmonds WA area. Of course location will be significant if you select the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification also. But there are other things that you must also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they offer internship programs. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you need ask each sonographer college prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program 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 gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. 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 help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Edmonds WA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the sonogram technician schools you are assessing have relationships with Edmonds WA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Edmonds medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the sonographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Washington healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Edmonds WA home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes 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 bear 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 have 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.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Edmonds WA area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Edmonds WA?

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

Edmonds, Washington

Edmonds is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is located in the southwest corner of the county, facing Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains to the west. The city is part of the Seattle metropolitan area and is located 15 miles (24 km) north of Seattle and 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Everett. With a population of 39,709 residents in the 2010 U.S. census, Edmonds is the fourth most populous city in the county. The estimated population in 2015 was 40,490.

Edmonds was established in 1876 by logger George Brackett, who bought the land claim of an earlier settler. It was incorporated as a city in 1890, shortly before the arrival of the Great Northern Railway. Early residents of the city were employed by the shingle mills and logging companies that operated in the area until the 1950s. The hills surrounding Edmonds were developed into suburban bedroom communities in the mid-to-late 20th century and subsequently annexed into the city. Edmonds is a regional hub for the arts, with museums, specialized facilities, and major annual festivals within the city's downtown area.

The city is connected to nearby areas by two state highways and the state ferry system, which operates a ferry route to Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula. Public transit service in Edmonds is centered around the downtown train station, served by Amtrak and Sounder commuter trains, and includes several Community Transit bus routes that travel through outlying neighborhoods.

Prior to the 19th century, the Edmonds area was inhabited by the Suquamish tribe, who foraged and fished near the flat beach forming modern-day downtown.[5] No archaeological evidence of a permanent settlement in Edmonds has been found, despite claims that a fishing village had existed near the modern-day downtown.[6]

Find the Right Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Edmonds WA

Enrolling in the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for extended durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and move heavy equipment. Additional desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to remain levelheaded when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are looking at. This holds true whether you select an online program or commute 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 best program for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your objective to work as an sonographer in Edmonds WA.