Many people who are searching for a rewarding career in healthcare consider training to become an ultrasound technician or sonographer by studying ultrasound technology at a college for ultrasound tech.
Ultrasound technicians are trained medical experts who help doctors and physicians diagnose serious conditions and diseases using specialized ultrasound equipment.
Ultrasound is another term for very high frequency sound waves. These sound waves pass harmlessly through the human body, and allow an ultrasound technician to build up a picture of internal bodily structures, tissues, organs and blood vessels in real time. One of the major benefits of using diagnostic medical sonography is that it uses sound waves which are completely safe to patients, unlike other forms of diagnostic medical imaging such as x-rays.
Ultrasound technicians learn their diagnostic medical sonography skills by attending classes at a college for ultrasound tech.
The Types Of College For Ultrasound Tech
If you want to study sonography, you basically have two choices of college for ultrasound tech – traditional and online.
Most people are familiar with traditional campus based learning. With this approach, you enroll at an ultrasound technician school or college in your locality and then learn within a classroom environment. The advantages to this type of education are that you’ll have a fixed learning structure, and you’ll be studying alongside other sonography students.
But there are some disadvantages. First, you may not have a convenient college for ultrasound tech in your neighborhood. Secondly, studying in a classroom environment is very much a full time commitment, so you’ll need to be able to set aside one or more years for your education. Finally, the course fees for studying with a campus based college for ultrasound tech can sometimes be costly.
The second way of becoming an ultrasound technician is by distance learning using one of the many online ultrasound tech schools. With this style of education, you can study exactly the same ultrasound courses which you would in a classroom based college for ultrasound tech and obtain the same qualifications. The key difference is that training is delivered using internet based online learning in the form of tutorials, modules, videos and exercises.
There are several advantages of online ultrasound courses from a college for ultrasound tech. Many people enjoy the flexibility of online learning – you can study whenever you like, which means you can fit your training in around your family or your current career. Secondly, online learning is accessible – you can study from absolutely anywhere, and don’t need to have a local college for ultrasound tech. Finally, the course fees quoted by online ultrasound technician schools are usually far less expensive than studying with campus based sonography schools.
Courses Offered By A College For Ultrasound Tech
There are three types of ultrasound technician qualifications which will be provided by a college for ultrasound tech – a certificate in diagnostic medical sonography, an associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree programs.
For graduates who already have an allied healthcare degree, the certificate route is a popular choice. A certificate in diagnostic medical sonography from a college for ultrasound tech takes as little as 12 months to complete, and will give you a thorough understanding of sonography theory and practice. Certificate programs are ideal for physicians and medical assistants who would like to expand on their range of professional skills by including sonography.
Most non-graduates tend to follow the associate’s degree pathway at a college for ultrasound tech. Associate’s degree programs are delivered over two years, and provide far more intensive training in diagnostic medical sonography than the more basic certificate level. The majority of high school students who want to qualify as ultrasound technicians tend to prefer the associate’s degree option.
The longest qualification in diagnostic medical sonography is a bachelor’s degree, which is accomplished over 4 years. Bachelor’s degree programs tend to be the route taken by those who want the highest level of sonography training from a college for ultrasound tech, especially if they are looking for a career in research or management.
If you are giving thought to becoming an ultrasound technician or sonographer, the best approach is to contact a selection of ultrasound technician schools and find out which ultrasound courses are available. You’ll then be able to make an informed decision on which type of college for ultrasound tech is most suitable for your needs.