Schools With Ultrasound Tech Programs Shelton CT - How to Become an Ultrasound Tech

How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Tech Degree Program near Shelton Connecticut

Shelton CT sonographer performing ultrasound Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Shelton CT, the next step is to start the procedure of selecting a college. First, you have to find the right program that will provide the appropriate instruction to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s very important that you investigate each college in order to evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one begin? A number of individuals will start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost must be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internship programs. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But first, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are offered.

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Sonographer Job Summary

Shelton CT ultrasound tech with patient There are several professional 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 primary job description, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While a number of techs work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Shelton CT hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work tasks of a sonogram tech can consist of:

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 sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
Reviewing the results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must regularly evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Available

Shelton CT ultrasound technician performing sonography Sonogram tech students have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve about 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have previously obtained 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 related medical sector, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to consider is that the majority of sonographer programs do have a practical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by entering into an internship program which many colleges sponsor through Shelton CT clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from one of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to comply with the licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you elect to practice in.

Online Ultrasound Tech Colleges

student attending online sonography class in Shelton CT As earlier discussed, nearly all ultrasound tech colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So although you can receive a certificate or degree online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off campus facility. Practical training can typically be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Shelton CT hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the remainder of the training and classes may be accessed online in your Shelton home. This is especially beneficial for those students that continue working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online schools are often more affordable than traditional alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But similarly as with any sonographer college you are looking at, verify 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 important for certification, licensing and finding employment (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 school may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Ultrasound Tech Schools

Questions to ask Shelton CT ultrasound technician schools Now that you have determined the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a college campus in the Shelton CT area. Of course location will be significant if you choose the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional things that you must also take into account, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they offer internships. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program before deciding.

Are the Ultrasound Technician Programs Accredited? Most ultrasound technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed review of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Shelton CT employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the ultrasound tech colleges you are reviewing have associations with Shelton CT clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Shelton healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Shelton CT home. 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 concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the ultrasound tech college you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Shelton CT area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Schools With Ultrasound Tech Programs Shelton Connecticut

Shelton CT mother holding sonogram Choosing the ideal sonographer certificate or degree program is an important first step to launching a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound technician colleges require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations 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 preferred skills include technical aptitude, the ability to remain 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 Schools With Ultrasound Tech Programs and wanting more information on Ultrasound Technician Training. However, as we have covered in this post, there are multiple questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at. This is the case whether you choose an online program or travel to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can assess each college, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the best program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as an sonographer in Shelton CT.

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Shelton, Connecticut

Shelton was settled by the English as part of the town of Stratford, Connecticut, in 1639. On May 15, 1656, the Court of the Colony of Connecticut in Hartford affirmed that the town of Stratford included all of the territory 12 miles (19 km) inland from Long Island Sound, between the Housatonic River and the Fairfield town line. In 1662, Stratford selectmen Lt. Joseph Judson, Captain Joseph Hawley and John Minor had secured all the written deeds of transfer from the Golden Hill Paugussett Indian Nation for this vast territory that comprises the present-day towns of Trumbull, Shelton and Monroe. Shelton was split off from Stratford in 1789, as Huntington (named for Samuel Huntington).[3][4] The current name originated in a manufacturing village started in the 1860s named for the Shelton Company founded by Edward N. Shelton—also founder of Ousatonic Water Power Company.[5][6][7][8] The rapidly growing borough of Shelton incorporated as a city in 1915 and was consolidated with the town of Huntington in 1919 establishing the present city of Shelton.[9][10]

Shelton was the site of one of the largest arson fires in the United States history. It happened in 1975 when the Sponge Rubber Products plant (formerly owned by B.F. Goodrich) was set on fire. Charles Moeller, president of parent company Grand Sheet Metal Products, was acquitted of criminal charges, but in a suit under civil law (where preponderance of evidence suffices to establish a factual claim), a jury found in 1988 the insurer was entitled to disallow claims on the fire losses, based on the finding that the company's top officials arranged the fire to claim insurance money. Eight others were convicted or pleaded guilty.[11]

The explosion that destroyed the Sponge Rubber Plant on Canal Street in 1975 marked the start of the decline of Shelton's industries. During the remainder of the 1970s and 1980s several firms that operated factories along the banks of the Housatonic River either went out of business or relocated to areas where labor and operating costs were cheaper.[12] In 1995, Sikorsky Aircraft closed a plant off Bridgeport Avenue that manufactured electrical components for helicopters.[citation needed]