How to Select the Right Ultrasound Technician College near New Haven Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near New Haven CT, the next step is to begin the process of picking a school. To begin with, you must find the right program that will provide the proper training to become a qualified professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s very important that you research each college in order to evaluate and compare your choices. But just where does one start? A number of students will begin by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internships. These and additional qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Ultrasound Tech Job Summary
There are several 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 implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in New Haven CT clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily job tasks of an ultrasound tech may involve:
- Preserving records of patient medical histories and details of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Readying 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 need for further testing
Ultrasound techs must routinely evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. 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 stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available
Ultrasound tech students have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take about 18 months to 2 years to complete 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 individuals 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 related health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to consider is that the majority of sonographer colleges do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which many colleges set up through New Haven CT clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in Connecticut or whichever state you elect to work in.
Sonogram Tech Online Schools
As aforementioned, nearly all ultrasound tech colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at an approved off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local New Haven CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the balance of the training and classes may be attended online in your New Haven home. This is particularly beneficial for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online colleges are frequently less expensive than on campus options. Costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But similarly as with every sonographer college you are looking at, make sure that the online program you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for licensing, certification and job placement (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 an online degree could be the ideal choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Sonography Schools
As soon as you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or commute to a school campus in the New Haven CT area. Clearly location will be critical if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualification also. But there are other factors that you must also take into account, for instance if the colleges 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, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonography school prior to making a decision.
Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? Most ultrasound tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many New Haven CT health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level openings.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the ultrasound technician programs you are assessing have associations with New Haven CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the New Haven healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their New Haven CT residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the sonographer college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the New Haven CT area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Sonogram Technician Programs New Haven Connecticut
Choosing the ideal sonographer degree or certificate program is a crucial first step to initiating a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Additional helpful skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep collected when faced with 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 Sonogram Technician Programs and wanting more information on Ultrasound Technician Vocational Schools. However, as we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are considering. This is the case whether you select an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each school, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as an sonographer in New Haven CT.
More Ultrasound Locations in Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is a coastal city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located on New Haven Harbor on the northern shore of Long Island Sound in New Haven County, Connecticut, and is part of the New York metropolitan area. With a population of 129,779 as determined by the 2010 United States Census,[2] it is the second-largest city in Connecticut after Bridgeport. New Haven is the principal municipality of Greater New Haven, which had a total population of 862,477 in 2010.[3]
New Haven was the first planned city in America.[4][5][6] A year after its founding by English Puritans in 1638, eight streets were laid out in a four-by-four grid, creating what is commonly known as the "Nine Square Plan".[7] The central common block is the New Haven Green, a 16-acre (6 ha) square at the center of Downtown New Haven. The Green is now a National Historic Landmark, and the "Nine Square Plan" is recognized by the American Planning Association as a National Planning Landmark.[8][9]
New Haven is the home of Yale University. As New Haven's biggest taxpayer and employer,[10] Yale serves as an integral part of the city's economy. Health care (hospitals and biotechnology), professional services (legal, architectural, marketing, and engineering), financial services, and retail trade also contribute to the city's economic activity.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 49
3 Reviews 
13 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
10 Reviews 
6 Reviews 
3 Reviews 