Accredited Ultrasound Schools Newington CT - How to Become an Ultrasound Tech

How to Choose the Best Sonogram Technician Degree Program near Newington Connecticut

Newington CT sonographer performing ultrasound Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Newington CT, it’s time to start the process of choosing a college. First, you need to find the ideal 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 to be prepared to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you research each college in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one start? Many prospective students will start by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location must be considered when making a decision, but there are other critical factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training options that are offered.

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Sonographer Work Description

Newington CT ultrasound tech with patient There are more than one acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority work in Newington CT clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job tasks of an ultrasound tech can consist of:

Maintaining records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Preparing the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for additional testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely assess the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Sonogram Technician Degree Programs Available

Newington CT ultrasound technician performing sonography Sonogram technician enrollees have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically involve about 18 months to 2 years to accomplish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finalize. Another alternative for those who have already earned 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 health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will take just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship program which many schools set up with Newington CT clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to satisfy the certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you choose to practice in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Programs

student attending online sonography class in Newington CT As earlier discussed, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So although you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a substantial part of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local Newington CT outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the rest of the classes and training may be accessed online in your Newington home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online programs are often more affordable than on campus alternatives. Costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just as with any ultrasound tech program you are reviewing, verify that the online program you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Sonogram Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Newington CT ultrasound technician schools When you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of evaluating and comparing ultrasound tech schools. You may first want to choose whether you will access classes online or commute to a college campus in the Newington CT area. Certainly location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier also. But there are other things that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they sponsor internships. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are several questions that you may want to ask each sonography college prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of ultrasound tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Newington CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the ultrasound technician schools you are reviewing have relationships with Newington CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional connections in the Newington health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech programs 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 substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Newington CT residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. 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 generally 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 Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average 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 an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the sonographer college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Newington CT area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Accredited Ultrasound Schools Newington Connecticut

Newington CT mother holding sonogram Choosing the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a vital first step to commencing a gratifying new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician programs require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to satisfying academic requirements, you need to be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for lengthy periods and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Other helpful talents include technical proficiency, the ability to stay collected when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Ultrasound Schools and wanting more information on Ultrasound Technologist Training. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each school you are looking at. 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 compare each program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as an ultrasound technologist in Newington CT.

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Newington, Connecticut

Newington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. Located 8 miles (13 km) south of downtown Hartford, Newington is an older, mainly residential suburb located in Greater Hartford. As of the 2010 census, the population was 30,562.[2] The Connecticut Department of Transportation has its headquarters in Newington.

Newington has a history of nearly 375 years. While not established officially as a separate town until 1871, settlers from nearby Wethersfield took up residence on the western frontier of their riverside town in 1636. “West Society,” as some called it, was an area rich in timber that was used for pipe staves, barrel-sized containers used for colonial trade. Grand pastures also made the land ideal for herding and grazing cattle. Its inhabitants received land grants from Wethersfield leaders. Known as “West Farms,” the area west of the central portion of Wethersfield became settled by those who were almost exclusively the descendants of the earliest Wethersfield settlers. In 1721, the “western” farmers requested that the General Assembly of the Connecticut Colony give their land the name “Newington” to denote “the new town in the meadow.” The Assembly granted the request, even though it took another 150 years before Newington officially became an incorporated town. The town’s name predates its official existence.

Newington’s motto inscribed on its town seal is “growth and progress,” which it began putting into effect at the end of the eighteenth century. In 1798, the precursor to the Berlin Turnpike was authorized and it changed the complexion of the land by dividing the vast farmlands from the commercial center. Originally called the Hartford and New Haven Turnpike, the route attracted a number of businesses from north to south between Hartford and New Haven.