How to Select the Best Sonogram Technician School near Terryville Connecticut
Since you have made a decision to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Terryville CT, the next step is to start the process of picking a school. To begin with, you must find the right program that will furnish the necessary training to become a qualified professional. And since a number of states do require that sonographers be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each college so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Most individuals will begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional critical factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they sponsor internships. These and additional qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education options that are available.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Sonogram Tech Job Summary
There are multiple professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as 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 carry out diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While many practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. The majority practice in Terryville CT clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily job duties of an ultrasound technician can involve:
- Maintaining records of patient medical 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
- Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and determining need for supplemental testing
Sonographers must regularly assess the performance and safety of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are required to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.
Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered
Ultrasound tech students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically take around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete. Another option 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 related medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will take only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that the majority of ultrasound technician programs do have a clinical training component as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many schools sponsor through Terryville CT hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or whichever state you choose to practice in.
Online Ultrasound Technician Degrees
As earlier discussed, nearly all sonogram technician colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Practical training can usually be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Terryville CT outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. However the remainder of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Terryville home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that keep working while earning their degrees. In addition online colleges are often less costly than on campus options. Expenses for study materials and commuting can be decreased also. But similarly as with every ultrasound tech college you are considering, confirm that the online program you choose is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially important for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online school could be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Sonography Schools
Once you have decided on which degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can start the procedure of evaluating and comparing ultrasound technician schools. You may first want to decide whether you will attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Terryville CT area. Obviously location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification as well. But there are additional things that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your final selection, below are several questions that you need ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.
Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of sonogram technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed review of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Terryville CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the ultrasound tech schools you are evaluating have relationships with Terryville CT hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to get hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Terryville healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession 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 a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Terryville CT home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing 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 might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program also.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the sonographer program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Terryville CT area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify 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 emergencies.
Sonogram Technician Certificate Programs Terryville Connecticut
Picking the right ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to entering a gratifying new career delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you need to be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for extended periods with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Additional preferred skills include technical aptitude, the ability to stay calm when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Sonogram Technician Certificate Programs and wanting more information on Accredited Sonography Degrees. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are multiple questions that you should ask each program you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online degree or commute to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can compare each school, you can narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can realize your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in Terryville CT.
More Ultrasound Locations in Connecticut
Terryville, Connecticut
Terryville is a census-designated place (CDP) that can be found in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States, and is the largest village within the town of Plymouth. In the 2010 census, Terryville was recorded as having a population of 5,387. The village is named for Eli Terry Jr., the son of the well-known clockmaker Eli Terry Sr. In addition to that, Terryville is also home to the Lock Museum of America. There is a water wheel located in downtown Terryville that is dedicated to the son of Eli Terry Sr.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were over 12,000 people, 2,199 households, and 1,460 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 747.1/km² (1,935.6/mi²). There were 2,312 housing units at an average density of 322.3/km² (834.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.18% White, 0.86% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population.
There were 2,199 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.01.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 39
3 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
1 Reviews 5 Reviews 
11 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
1 Reviews 