How to Select the Right Ultrasound Technician School near South Thomaston Maine

Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near South Thomaston ME, it’s time to begin the process of picking a school. To begin with, you have to find the right program that will furnish the appropriate training to become a qualified professional. And because some states do require that sonographers be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a certification or licensing exam. So it’s extremely important that you research each college in order to assess and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Most potential students will begin by looking for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Of course cost and location need to be taken into account when arriving at a decision, but there are additional significant factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But to start with, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online training programs that are available.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

There are various acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job function, which is to carry out diagnostic ultrasound techniques on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in South Thomaston ME hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily job tasks of an ultrasound tech can include:

• Preserving 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
• Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
• Operating equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
• Evaluating results and determining need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the performance and safety of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. So as to maintain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education programs on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Available

Ultrasound tech students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require around 18 months to 2 years to accomplish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as 4 years to complete. Another option for individuals who have already 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 relevant medical field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to bear in mind is that most sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous schools set up with South Thomaston ME hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to satisfy the certification or licensing requirements in Maine or whichever state you elect to work in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Colleges

As earlier discussed, almost all sonogram tech colleges have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either conducted in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off-campus medical care provider. Clinical training can typically be satisfied through an internship at a local South Thomaston ME outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. However the remainder of the classes and training can be accessed online in your South Thomaston home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that keep working while earning their degrees. Plus online schools are many times less costly than on campus options. Expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But similarly as with any sonography college you are looking at, confirm that the online program you enroll in is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations 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 motivated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online school could be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Sonogram Tech Colleges

After you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to choose whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the South Thomaston ME area. Naturally location will be important if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier also. But there are other factors that you should also take into consideration, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, following are a few questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program before deciding.

Are the Sonogram Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of ultrasound tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of South Thomaston ME employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the ultrasound technician programs you are evaluating have partnerships with South Thomaston ME hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional connections in the South Thomaston healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the ultrasound tech programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their South Thomaston ME residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might 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.

How Large 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 probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the ultrasound tech  program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the South Thomaston ME area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Diagnostic Ultrasound Programs South Thomaston Maine

Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is a vital first step to commencing a fulfilling new profession delivering diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech colleges require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for prolonged periods and able to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy machinery. Additional beneficial skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep collected when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Ultrasound Programs and wanting more information on Medical Sonographer Programs.  However, as we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This is the case whether you select an online program or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can compare each college, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can realize your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in South Thomaston ME.

More Ultrasound Locations in Maine

 

South Thomaston, Maine

Abenaki Indians called it Wessaweskeag, meaning "tidal creek" or "salt creek," a reference to what is now known as the Weskeag River. Thomas Lefebvre from Quebec, Canada owned a huge tract of land at the Weskeag River, where his stay began in 1704. He built a large gristmill, with a house on the shoreline. Although he would eventually return to Quebec, the area retained his name — Thomas' Town. But the adjacent St. George River was the uneasy dividing line between land controlled by New England and New France. Permanent settlement would be delayed by the French and Indian Wars, which ended with the 1763 Treaty of Paris.[4]

In 1767, Wessaweskeag was settled by Elisha Snow, who built a sawmill operated by tidal power. In 1773, Joseph Coombs arrived and built another sawmill nearby, and together they built a gristmill. The village of South Thomaston grew around the mills, which would include three granite polishing machines to process stone cut from the town's numerous quarries. On July 28, 1848, South Thomaston was set off from Thomaston and incorporated as a separate town.[5]Owl's Head would be set off from South Thomaston on July 9, 1921.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 17.97 square miles (46.54 km2), of which, 11.44 square miles (29.63 km2) of it is land and 6.53 square miles (16.91 km2) is water.[1] South Thomaston is located on the Weskeag River inlet.

 

Business Results 1 - 10 of 0