How to Find the Best Sonogram Tech College near Great Falls Virginia
Once you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Great Falls VA, the next step is to start the procedure of selecting a school. First, you must 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 licensed or certified, 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 investigate each school so that you can assess and compare your choices. But exactly where does one begin? Most individuals will start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Naturally cost and location should be considered 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 internships. These and other qualifiers will be discussed more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education options that are offered.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Ultrasound Technician Schools!
Sonographer Job Summary
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. Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Although a number of techs practice as generalists there are specializations within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Great Falls VA hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Typical daily work tasks of an ultrasound tech may include:
- Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
- Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Operating equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Evaluating results and identifying necessity for additional testing
Ultrasound techs must routinely evaluate the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that degree of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on an ongoing basis.
Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered
Sonogram technician students have the choice to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will generally involve about 18 months to 2 years to finish dependent on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish. Another option for those who have previously obtained a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant medical sector, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require just 12 to 18 months to finish. Something to keep in mind is that almost all sonographer programs do have a clinical training component as part of their curriculum. It often may be satisfied by entering into an internship program which numerous colleges organize with Great Falls VA hospitals and clinics. After you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Virginia or whatever state you choose to practice in.
Ultrasound Tech Online Programs
As earlier discussed, almost all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical requirement to their programs. So while you can receive a degree or certificate online, a substantial portion of the training will be either held in an on-campus lab or at an approved off-campus facility. Clinical training can usually be satisfied through an internship at a local Great Falls VA outpatient clinic, hospital or family practice. But the remainder of the classes and training may be attended online in your Great Falls home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that keep working while earning their degrees. Plus online colleges are many times more affordable than on-campus options. Expenditures for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But similarly as with any sonographer college 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 especially crucial for certification, licensing and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn outside of the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.
Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools
As soon as you have determined which degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can begin the procedure of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will attend classes online or commute to a school campus in the Great Falls VA area. Certainly location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualification as well. But there are other variables that you must also take into consideration, for instance if the colleges are accredited and if they provide internships. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each ultrasound tech school before deciding.
Are the Sonogram Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have undergone a detailed examination of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations 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 obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Great Falls VA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the ultrasound tech colleges you are evaluating have associations with Great Falls VA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Great Falls medical community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the sonographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Great Falls VA home. Students who have decided 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. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the sonographer school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Great Falls VA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Ultrasound Technician Associate’S Degree Great Falls Virginia
Choosing the right sonographer certificate or degree program is a vital first step to entering a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic services to patients. Ultrasound tech programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for lengthy durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to position patients and move heavy machinery. Other beneficial skills include technical proficiency, the ability to remain levelheaded 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 Ultrasound Technician Associate’S Degree and wanting more information on Study Ultrasound Technician. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This is true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can evaluate each college, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, dedication and motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound technologist in Great Falls VA.
More Ultrasound Locations in Virginia
Great Falls, Virginia
Great Falls is located at 38°59′53″N 077°17′18″W / 38.99806°N 77.28833°W / 38.99806; -77.28833 (38.9981653, −77.2883157) at an elevation of 344 feet (105 m).[3][8] Located on Virginia State Route 7 in Northern Virginia, Great Falls is 15 miles (24 km) west-northwest of downtown Washington, D.C. and 10.5 miles (16.9 km) north of Fairfax, the county seat.[9]
Great Falls lies in the Piedmont upland on the right bank of the Potomac River.[10][11] The river forms the northern and eastern border of the CDP, and several of its tributaries flow north and east through the CDP. From north to south, these include Nichols Run, Clarks Branch, and Difficult Run. Difficult Run forms the southeastern border of the CDP. Two of its tributaries, Captain Hickory Run and Piney Run, flow southeast through the southern part of the CDP.[9][11] The Great Falls of the Potomac River, the community's namesake, are on the east side of the CDP.[11]
As a suburb of Washington, D.C., Great Falls is a part of both the Washington Metropolitan Area and the larger Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. It is bordered on all sides by other Washington suburbs, including: Darnestown and Travilah, Maryland to the north, Potomac, Maryland to the east, McLean to the southeast, Wolf Trap to the south, Reston and Dranesville to the southwest, Sterling to the west, and Lowes Island to the northwest.[12]
Business Results 1 - 10 of 421
49 Reviews 
20 Reviews 
36 Reviews 
18 Reviews 
32 Reviews 
13 Reviews 
14 Reviews 
20 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
16 Reviews 