Ultrasound Technologist School Oshkosh WI - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Choose the Right Ultrasound Tech College near Oshkosh Wisconsin

Oshkosh WI ultrasound technician with patient Once you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Oshkosh WI, the next step is to start the process of choosing a school. To begin with, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the proper education to become a skilled professional. And given that some states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on where you will practice you may also need to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each program so that you can assess and compare your options. But just where does one start? A number of potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location need to be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they provide internships. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online education options that are available.

Ultrasound Tech Work Summary

Oshkosh WI sonographer testing pregnant woman There are several acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. While many practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Oshkosh WI hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily work functions of an ultrasound tech may involve:

Preserving records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for usage and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining necessity for supplemental testing

Sonographers must regularly gauge the performance and safety of their machines. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Oshkosh WI ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Sonogram technician enrollees have the option to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically involve about 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish. 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 relevant medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to bear in mind is that almost all sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as a portion of their course of study. It often may be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous colleges organize with Oshkosh WI clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Wisconsin or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Online Sonogram Tech Classes

woman attending online sonography school in Oshkosh WI As previously mentioned, virtually all ultrasound technician schools have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a substantial part of the training will be either carried out in an on campus lab or at an approved off campus facility. Practical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local Oshkosh WI outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the remainder of the training and classes can be attended online in your Oshkosh home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that continue working while obtaining their degrees. In addition online programs are many times less costly than on campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech program you are reviewing, make sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations 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 disciplined enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Sonogram Tech Schools

Questions to ask Oshkosh WI ultrasound tech schools Now that you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you will access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Oshkosh WI area. Clearly location will be important if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification also. But there are additional things that you must also take into account, for example if the schools are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to complete your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, following are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of sonogram tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous examination of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive 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 ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Oshkosh WI health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the sonogram tech programs you are interested in have relationships with Oshkosh WI hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Oshkosh health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wisconsin healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Oshkosh WI residence. Students who have decided 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 importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech school you finally pick can offer 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 Oshkosh WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Oshkosh WI?

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

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Oshkosh is a city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States, located where the Fox River enters Lake Winnebago from the west. The population was 66,083 at the 2010 census. The city is located adjacent to and partially within the Town of Oshkosh.

Oshkosh was named for Menominee Chief Oshkosh, whose name meant "claw"[5] (cf. Ojibwe oshkanzh, "the claw").[6] Although the fur trade attracted the first European settlers to the area as early as 1818, it never became a major player in the fur trade. Soon after 1830, much of the trade moved west, as there had been over-trapping in the region.

The establishment and growth of the lumber industry in the area spurred development of Oshkosh. Already designated as the county seat, Oshkosh was incorporated as a city in 1853. It had a population of nearly 2,800.[7]

The lumber industry became well established as businessmen took advantage of navigable waterways to provide access to both markets and northern pineries. The 1859 arrival of rail transportation expanded the industry's ability to meet the demands of a rapidly growing construction market. At one time, Oshkosh was known as the "Sawdust Capital of the World" due to the number of lumber mills in the city, 11 by 1860.

Find the Right Ultrasound Technologist School Oshkosh WI

Choosing the ideal sonographer degree or certificate program is a vital first step to embarking on a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for prolonged time frames with the ability to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other helpful skills include technical aptitude, the ability to stay collected when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Technologist School. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing. This is the case whether you choose an online degree or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each program, you will be able to 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 practice as an ultrasound tech in Oshkosh WI.