If you are searching for ultrasound technician schools in Florida, you could not have picked a better place.
The thriving population and growing need in the medical field is creating excellent job prospects for those graduating from an accredited medical diagnostic sonography program. Before you decide on any particular school, there are a few things you should know.
Learn More About the Profession
Like many people, you probably were drawn to this profession because the pay is good, jobs are plenty and it feels good to help people. But it helps to know as much as you can about the job before spending your time and money on a program. For instance, tecnicians spend most of a shift on their feet, pushing heavy equipment from room to room to take ultrasound images of patients.Because most technicians work in a hospital setting, evening, weekend and overnight work may be necessary.
Tour Campuses in Your Area
Before applying, you’ll want to tour some schools in your area to get a feel for the campus life and talk to a couple professors. More importantly, learn about the facilities and make sure you will have access to the latest ultrasound technology. The work you do in the classroom should prepare you for actual clinical experience.
Get the Stats
Looking for ultrasound technician schools in Florida is definitely a numbers game and there are some stats you’ll want to have on hand before applying for a school. Student-to-instructor ratio is important. Typically, between 15 and 20 students per instructor is a good number to shoot for. Job placement rates are also worth looking into. Find out what percentage of graduates are working within six months of graduation, and determine what methods are used to gather those numbers.
Student Services
Attending a school that has a good support network set up will make life a lot easier once classes are in session. This includes tutoring workshops, study labs and facilities that will accommodate after-hours studying. There should also be plenty of support staff around to help you apply for financial aid, pick classes and provide counseling services. Perhaps the most important department is career services. When it is time to graduate, you’ll want someone around to help with your resume, set up internships and assist with job placement.
Accreditation
Any school worth your time and money will be accredited by a recognized agency. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs is a large, national organization that grants accreditation to schools and universities offering allied health programs. There are also various state-level accrediting agencies across the country. Find out which organization is recognized by hospitals in your state, and make sure the school you choose has earned accreditation.
Scheduling
Depending on where you are in your life when you decide to enroll, scheduling may play a big role in the school you choose. People with day jobs should look into programs that offer some courses in the evening or online.
Financing
Career training is a pretty large investment and you’ll want to make sure your finances and budget are in order. Scholarships and grants are a great way to reduce costs, but they hardly cover the entire price of tuition. Leave room in your budget for school-related expenses and consider a student loan if you need help paying for ultrasound technician schools in Florida.