How to Enroll in the Right Sonogram Technician Degree Program near Chesapeake Virginia
Since you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Chesapeake VA, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a college. First, you have to find the ideal program that will provide the proper education to become a qualified professional. And given that a number of states do require that sonographers 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 very important that you investigate each program so that you can evaluate and compare your alternatives. But just where does one begin? Many potential students will start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly cost and location need to be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional significant factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they provide internship programs. These and other qualifiers will be covered more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s go over what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online training options that are available.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Sonographer Work Description
There are multiple professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). No matter what their title is, they all have the same primary job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Chesapeake VA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Standard daily job tasks of a sonogram tech may involve:
- Maintaining 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
- Escorting patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
- Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Reviewing the results and determining necessity for further testing
Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs Available
Sonogram tech students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually require about 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete. Another alternative for individuals who have previously earned 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 health field, you can enroll in a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to keep in mind is that almost all sonographer programs do have a clinical training element as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges sponsor with Chesapeake VA hospitals and clinics. When you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to satisfy the certification or licensing prerequisites in Virginia or whichever state you decide to work in.
Sonogram Tech Online Programs
As earlier discussed, virtually all sonogram tech colleges have a clinical requirement to their programs. So while you can earn a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on campus laboratory or at an approved off campus medical care provider. Clinical training can typically be fulfilled through an internship at a local Chesapeake VA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the remainder of the classes and training may be attended online in your Chesapeake home. This is particularly beneficial for those individuals that continue working while earning their degrees. In addition online colleges are frequently more affordable than on campus options. Expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But just as with every sonography school you are considering, make sure that the online school you choose is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes could be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Sonography Schools
Once you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, you can initiate the procedure of reviewing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to decide whether you will access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Chesapeake VA area. Certainly location will be important if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualifier also. But there are additional factors that you should also take into account, for example if the schools are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you need ask each sonography program prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of ultrasound technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations 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 an extensive assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Chesapeake VA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the sonogram technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with Chesapeake VA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific means to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Chesapeake healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the ultrasound tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Chesapeake VA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously 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 bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the sonographer college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Chesapeake VA area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs Chesapeake Virginia
Picking the right ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a vital first step to entering a rewarding new profession furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from satisfying academic standards, you should be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for prolonged durations with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and maneuver heavy equipment. Other desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to stay levelheaded 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 Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs and wanting more information on Ultrasound Tech School Near Me. However, as we have covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing. This is true whether you select an online degree or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate 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 determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as an ultrasound tech in Chesapeake VA.
More Ultrasound Locations in Virginia
Chesapeake, Virginia
Chesapeake is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 222,209;[3] in 2013, the population was estimated to be 232,977,[4] making it the third-most populous city in Virginia.
Chesapeake is included in the Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News, VA–NC MSA. One of the cities in the South Hampton Roads, Chesapeake was organized in 1963 by voter referendums approving the political consolidation of the city of South Norfolk with the remnants of the former Norfolk County, which dated to 1691. (Much of the territory of the county had been annexed by other cities.) Chesapeake is the second-largest city by land area in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the 17th-largest in the United States.
Chesapeake is a diverse city in which a few urban areas are located; it also has many square miles of protected farmland, forests, and wetlands, including a substantial portion of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Extending from the rural border with North Carolina to the harbor area of Hampton Roads adjacent to the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, Chesapeake is located on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It has miles of waterfront industrial, commercial and residential property.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 43
39 Reviews 
13 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
24 Reviews 
43 Reviews 
17 Reviews 
5 Reviews 