Ultrasound Education Decatur GA - How to Become an Ultrasound Tech

How to Pick the Best Sonogram Technician College near Decatur Georgia

Decatur GA sonographer performing ultrasound Once you have decided to obtain an ultrasound technician degree near Decatur GA, the next step is to begin the process of picking a college. First, you need to find the right program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a skilled professional. And because 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 school in order to evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Most students will begin by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost should be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are other critical factors also. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they sponsor internships. These and other qualifiers will be addressed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what an ultrasound tech does and the degrees and online education programs that are available.

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Ultrasound Technician Work Summary

Decatur GA ultrasound tech with patient 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 primary job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though many work as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most practice in Decatur GA hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work functions of a sonogram technician can involve:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for use and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
Moving patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and determining need for further testing

Sonographers must regularly gauge the performance and safety of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and stay current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education training on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Technician Degrees Available

Decatur GA ultrasound technician performing sonography Sonogram technician enrollees have the choice to acquire either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finalize. Another option for individuals who have already earned 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 field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to keep in mind is that most ultrasound technician schools do have a clinical training element as a portion of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship program which many colleges organize with Decatur GA clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then need to fulfill the licensing or certification requirements in Georgia or whatever state you decide to work in.

Ultrasound Technician Online Programs

student attending online sonography class in Decatur GA As aforementioned, nearly all ultrasound tech schools have a clinical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a significant portion of the training will be either conducted in an on-campus laboratory or at a sponsored off-campus facility. Practical training can typically be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Decatur GA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the rest of the training and classes can be accessed online in your Decatur home. This is especially convenient for those individuals that keep working while getting their degrees. In addition online colleges are many times less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased also. But just as with any ultrasound tech school you are reviewing, check that the online program you select is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to attend classes outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree could be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Ultrasound Tech Programs

Questions to ask Decatur GA ultrasound technician schools Once you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of assessing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a college campus in the Decatur GA area. Of course location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an initial qualifier as well. But there are additional things that you must also take into account, such as if the schools are accredited and if they offer internship programs. So in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of sonogram technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it can also obtain 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. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Decatur GA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the sonogram tech schools you are assessing have relationships with Decatur GA hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive 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 supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Decatur health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance 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 Georgia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Decatur GA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors 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 school you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Decatur GA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option 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 may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Ultrasound Education Decatur Georgia

Decatur GA mother holding sonogram Picking the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is an important first step to launching a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer programs require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent. Along with satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for extended time frames and able to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machines. Other desirable talents include technical aptitude, the ability to keep levelheaded when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Ultrasound Education and wanting more information on Vocational School For Ultrasound Tech. However, as we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are looking at. This holds true whether you select an online degree or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each college, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can achieve your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in Decatur GA.

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Decatur, Georgia

Decatur is a city in, and the county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia that is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. With a population of 20,148 in the 2013 census,[3] the municipality is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple ZIP Codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name. The city is served by three MARTA rail stations. The city is located approximately 5 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta and shares its western border with Atlanta.

Decatur was established at the intersection of two Native American trails: the Sandtown, which led east from the Chattahoochee River at Utoy Creek, and the Shallowford, which follows today's Clairmont Road, and eventually crossed near Roswell. It was named for United States Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur.

During the American Civil War, Decatur became a strategic site in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. In July 1864, Major-General James McPherson occupied the town to cut off the Confederates' supply line from Augusta. On July 22, during the Battle of Atlanta, Confederate cavalry under Major-General Joseph Wheeler attacked McPherson's supply wagons and the Union troops left to defend the wagons. A historical marker at the old courthouse marks the site of this skirmish.