How to Enroll in the Right Ultrasound Technician School near Goodyear Arizona
Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Goodyear AZ, it’s time to begin the process of selecting a school. First, you need to find the ideal program that will provide the proper education to become a qualified professional. And because a number of states do require that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you research each school in order to evaluate and compare your options. But just where does one begin? Many potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be taken into account when making a decision, but there are other critical factors also. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and additional qualifiers will be covered more in detail later in this article. But first, let’s go over what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are offered.
Ultrasound Technician Work Description
There are various 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 implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. While a number of techs practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for instance in pediatrics and cardiology. Most practice in Goodyear AZ clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. Routine daily job duties of an ultrasound tech may involve:
- Keeping records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Readying the ultrasound machines for use and then cleaning and re-calibrating them
- Escorting patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Utilizing equipment while minimizing patient exposure to sound waves
- Assessing results and identifying necessity for supplemental testing
Ultrasound techs must regularly evaluate the safety and performance of their equipment. They also must adhere to a high professional standard and code of conduct as medical practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and remain current with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Ultrasound Technician Degree Programs Offered
Sonogram tech enrollees have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will usually involve around 18 months to 2 years to complete dependent on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at up to four years to finalize. 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 just 12 to 18 months to finish. One thing to consider is that most sonographer colleges do have a clinical training component as a portion of their course of study. It often may be fulfilled by participating in an internship program which numerous schools set up with Goodyear AZ hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from one of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to satisfy the licensing or certification prerequisites in Arizona or whichever state you decide to practice in.
Sonogram Tech Online Degrees
As aforementioned, virtually all ultrasound technician colleges have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial part of the training will be either held in an on campus lab or at an approved off-campus facility. Practical training can typically be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Goodyear AZ hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. But the rest of the training and classes may be attended online in your Goodyear home. This is especially convenient for those students that continue working while earning their degrees. Plus online colleges are often less expensive than on campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But just as with any sonography school you are looking at, check that the online school you enroll in is accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly crucial for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the comfort of your own home, then an online degree may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Ultrasound Tech Colleges
Once you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of reviewing and comparing sonogram tech schools. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Goodyear AZ area. Naturally location will be critical if you select the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an important qualification as well. But there are additional variables that you should also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they offer internships. Therefore in order to complete your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, below are a few questions that you need ask each ultrasound tech college prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of ultrasound tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it might 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. In addition to guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Goodyear AZ employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the ultrasound tech schools you are assessing have partnerships with Goodyear AZ clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Goodyear health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the ultrasound tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Arizona healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Goodyear AZ home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern 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 choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps 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 frequently 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 way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk 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 school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Goodyear AZ area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option 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 due to illness, work or family emergencies.
If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Goodyear Arizona, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.
Goodyear (O'odham: Valin Thak) is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is a suburb of Phoenix and at the 2010 census had a population of 65,275, the third fastest-growing city in Arizona between 1990 and 2000. The 2017 population estimate was 79,858.
In 2008, Goodyear won the All-America City Award, sponsored by the National Civic League. The city is named after the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The company cultivated extensive farmland here to grow cotton for use in their tires.
Goodyear was established in 1917 with the purchase of 16,000 acres (65 km2) of land by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to cultivate cotton for vehicle tire cords. World War II was important to Goodyear in the 1940s as the current Phoenix Goodyear Airport was built, but after the war, the economy suffered. Goodyear became a town on November 19, 1946. At the time, it had 151 homes and 250 apartments, a grocery store, a barber shop, beauty shop and a gas station.
Luke Field Auxiliary #6 (Goodyear Field) was built by the United States Army Air Forces in 1943. It served as a satellite airfield for Luke AAF. According to the History of Luke AFB, this airfield boasted the most facilities. It had separate buildings for crew chiefs, operations, supply, barracks, pit latrine, crash truck shed, generator shed and a control tower. Luke AF Auxiliary #6 ceased operations by 1971.
Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound tech degree or certificate program is a crucial 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. In addition to meeting academic standards, you should be in at least fairly good physical condition, able to stand for prolonged time frames and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it typically necessary to position patients and move heavy machines. Other desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm when faced with an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Colleges. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing. This holds true whether you choose an online program or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the right questions so that you can evaluate each program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, discipline and determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as an sonographer in Goodyear AZ.