PCCTI - Illinois, Has anyone been employed/ARDMS certified ultrasound sonographer?

Here goes. We are Sonographers. Those of us who take Pride in our field and accomplishments are Sonographers. Technically speaking since we have to know soooo much Pathology in a way we diagnose. Technicians in other modalities do not.
(sorry If I offend anyone, but Techs push buttons. We as Sonographers do not.) That is the difference between a "Tech and a Sonographer" we diagnose they do not.! Hope I answered your question.

A Sonographer not a Technician in Chicago, Illinois said: Here goes. We are Sonographers. Those of us who take Pride in our field and accomplishments are Sonographers. Technically speaking since we have to know soooo much Pathology in a way we diagnose. Technicians in other modalities do not.
(sorry If I offend anyone, but Techs push buttons. We as Sonographers do not.) That is the difference between a "Tech and a Sonographer" we diagnose they do not.! Hope I answered your question.

Is there a difference in programs???

Ultrasound is ultrasound. Then you have MRI Techs,X-ray Techs,Mammo Techs,Nuclear Medicine Techs and then you have Sonographers. Got It? LOLOL

Oh I forgot Ct Tech's too.(Computerized Tomography)

soon to be a sonographer in Mokena, Illinois said: I recently was accepted into Triton College for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Firstly, what a journey, but so worth the wait. It is extremely competitive. But, I made it. I am so happy to hear that Triton is so reputable...and that a great job is hopefully going to be there for me when I graduate. I did do a lot of research and PCCTI was one of the places I checked out...it seems like wow, I could finish sooner that 2 years...then I attended an info. session at Triton and a student from PCCTI and I were talking and she was so upset because she spent 10 times more money and had no hospitals that would give her the time of day....It just seems like such a rough road to take for so much money. Harper College just got accredited again...its all on ARDMS...that is the key as stated in above messages.

Hi...I am also going to try and get in the dms program at Triton...how long did it take you to get in? Did you have all your pre-reqs? and a good gpa??? Thanks in advance :)

Shirley....hello there! Well its been a while now, I graduate in May 2010 so I'm gonna try to remember this. When I knew I was going to try to get into the program, prior to that I made sure I looked up the course content and cleared out (took the classes) all the classes that were not DMS. I got accepted my first try at it. Maybe luck, don't know. Grades definitely had a lot to do with it. My GPA was roughly a 3.6 I think...but I finished everything I needed. See it all comes down to a point count, the more classes you have done the more the higher the points you get, and the highter the grade as well is a factor. Its a tough program and I'm still going through it. Its a lot so I don't recommend working after say your 1st semester. I tell ya, I don't feel normal unless a book is in my face!! ANy more questions, let me know.

Does anyone know anything about the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at City College of Allied Health in downtown Chicago. Is it any good? Can you get a job etc. I have read a lot on Triton being one of the best.

Beware!!! They are Not CAAHEep accredited. Only 5 schools in Illinois as of date are Caheep accredited. Your school is not one of them. You have been warned. Do your research. Go to ardms.org and arm yourself with info so you are not scammed by these fly by night schools. (also check this site, shows school in every state that is CAHEEP accredited...(www.caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-Program/).

Good Luck

SNAT

Can anyone tell me what a typical schedule is like at triton once your accepted into the sonography program. I live in mokena, which is a little over an hour away from triton, but I really want to go there. I have completed most of the prerequisties for the assoc sonography program but I need to know how long in the day will I be away from home so I can plan accordingly, and also how difficult the classes are. I have completed an assoc degree in business at moraine and was able to keep a 3.8 grade point average even while my kids were toddlers, so I am used to working under pressure, but I am sure it in much harder at triton. Now my oldest two are in school, and I have a toddler (which I will bring with me to the day care). It is my dream to graduate as a sonographer but I dont know if I should consider doing rad tech at moraine first...anyone have any advice? BTW..Keep in mind, that I would be doing most of this on my own, I dont have much support from my husband at home. He doesnt feel I need to do this, but I want to and I dont want to listen to him. please help!

Can anyone tell me what a typical schedule is like at triton once your accepted into the sonography program. I live in mokena, which is a little over an hour away from triton, but I really want to go there. I have completed most of the prerequisties for the assoc sonography program but I need to know how long in the day will I be away from home so I can plan accordingly, and also how difficult the classes are. I have completed an assoc degree in business at moraine and was able to keep a 3.8 grade point average even while my kids were toddlers, so I am used to working under pressure, but I am sure it in much harder at triton. Now my oldest two are in school, and I have a toddler (which I will bring with me to the day care). It is my dream to graduate as a sonographer but I dont know if I should consider doing rad tech at moraine first...anyone have any advice? BTW..Keep in mind, that I would be doing most of this on my own, I dont have much support from my husband at home. He doesnt feel I need to do this, but I want to and I dont want to listen to him. please help!

Hanna,
Go for the Associates in DMS. If you do X-ray it will be a certificate and you have to cram 2 yrs of Physics into 1yr which makes it more difficult. Getting the Assoc stretches the physics out and gives you more study time to understand the fundamentals of it. US physics is not like anything else, a different concept all together. Your day will depend on the classes you take. I worked part time and raised a toddler when I went and It was very difficult, not impossible but difficult. You definitely need a dedicated study time. As far as how long you will be away from home depends on the time of your classes. I would guess to say, plan on 1/2 a day. Some classes may just be in the morning and some in the afternoon. Then again you can have one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It all depends on how the classes are set up. Also they change each semester(at least when I was there in 1998) Also know that the job market is kinda bad at the moment. No one is quitting or retiring because of the economy. Everyone is hanging on to their jobs. This is not to discourage you but to inform you. A lot of last years grads are still looking for jobs. I hope this was helpful. Good luck.

SNAT

Thank you so much for responding. You have given me a whole lot of helpful information. I thought I would be out all day, like a full time job from 830 to 5pm. I dont know what time the first classes are, but I dont know how I would be able to get there by 830 when I live so far and I have to make sure my kids are on the bus in the morning, but I am willing to try and make it work. I owe it to myself. BTW, I already took the US Physics class last year, and completed most of the prerequisite courses at Moraine. I think I only have one more math class and one more bio and thats it. All the rest of the classes would be for DMS. Thanks again!

Physics IS a DMS class. Better check to make sure its transferable. You cannot take US Physics unless you are in the program(at least that is how it was at Triton.) Better check with Debbie Krukowski who is the program director to see if that is indeed the correct Physics. You might have to take it again because its part of the DMS class not a prerequisite. Moraine Valley? what school is that? Never heard of an Ultrasound program there! This are the only accredited schools in the state of ILLinois.
College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn, IL
Harper College - Palentine, IL
John A. Logan College - Carterville, IL
Northwestern Memorial Hospital - Chicago, IL
Rush University - Chicago, IL
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale - Carbondale,
Triton College - River Grove, IL

Hello Hannah! I'm in the program now. Doable...yes, hard, absolutely without a doubt. Having your husband's support would be nice, but we all don't have that, so you do the best you can. I myself waited till my girls were at the age where I felt comfortable putting them in aftercare. Honestly if it weren't for my mom, I don't think this would be possible. I won't lie, some of the classes are early and I left my house (and I live just as far as you) at 6:30 a.m. to make a 8:30 class start. You do what you have to do. The semesters fluctuate, this semester I am gone 5 days a week, 3 of them I'm gone from 5:45 a.m. till 4:30 at night cause I have clinicals. So, be prepared for that if you decide this is the route you want to take. As far as your prereq's you should check with Triton because some of those classes do not correlate with Triton's classes. For example you have a physics course, I took the intro to physics at triton, it is more zones in on ultrasound. I'm not talking about the one that SNAT is talking about, this one is a prereq. The one she is talking about is all the dms physics within the program. Another one is human anatomy and physiology, its one class at Triton whereas it would be two classes at Moraine....I went to moraine too!! If you want more detail send me your email. Be happy to discuss.

Thank you for the information. The US Physics class was at Triton so I know that it is ok for the program, but I have to look into the other classes you mentioned to make sure that I am up to date. BTW, are u actually starting your class/clinical at 545 or a\is that the time you leave the house? I am thinking..."OMG" I dont have a problem leaving that early but I dont want to put my kids through too much though...especially cause I am going to do this without much help from my husband, I dont want him complaining. He is a nice guy but he just thinks I shouldnt be doing this unless I have to. He just doesnt understand that I am doing this for myself (for a change). Anyway, my email address is mrszorab@yahoo.com. Thanks a bunch!

No it wasnt Physics IS. It wasnt the a DMS class, it was a physics class that was shorter than normal and it was a specific prereq for the sonography program. I took it at Triton. I know that I have to take the DMS classes when I get in the program. I will be going there to speak to a counselor to make sure the other classes from Moraine will transfer. I hope they do. Thank you

A Sonographer not a Technician in Chicago, Illinois said: Hanna,
Go for the Associates in DMS. If you do X-ray it will be a certificate and you have to cram 2 yrs of Physics into 1yr which makes it more difficult. Getting the Assoc stretches the physics out and gives you more study time to understand the fundamentals of it. US physics is not like anything else, a different concept all together. Your day will depend on the classes you take. I worked part time and raised a toddler when I went and It was very difficult, not impossible but difficult. You definitely need a dedicated study time. As far as how long you will be away from home depends on the time of your classes. I would guess to say, plan on 1/2 a day. Some classes may just be in the morning and some in the afternoon. Then again you can have one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It all depends on how the classes are set up. Also they change each semester(at least when I was there in 1998) Also know that the job market is kinda bad at the moment. No one is quitting or retiring because of the economy. Everyone is hanging on to their jobs. This is not to discourage you but to inform you. A lot of last years grads are still looking for jobs. I hope this was helpful. Good luck.

SNAT

I agree, the job market for ultrasound techs is saturated in IL...Jobs are out there, but they are harder to come by compared to 5-10 years ago.

Hi Soon to be a Sonographer, you must be a senior now... I'm a year behind you, and excited for clinicals this summer. I hear you are all doing so well, and everyone is passing the physics boards... congrats! See you in the hallways!

soon to be sonographer in New Lenox, Illinois said: Hello Hannah! I'm in the program now. Doable...yes, hard, absolutely without a doubt. Having your husband's support would be nice, but we all don't have that, so you do the best you can. I myself waited till my girls were at the age where I felt comfortable putting them in aftercare. Honestly if it weren't for my mom, I don't think this would be possible. I won't lie, some of the classes are early and I left my house (and I live just as far as you) at 6:30 a.m. to make a 8:30 class start. You do what you have to do. The semesters fluctuate, this semester I am gone 5 days a week, 3 of them I'm gone from 5:45 a.m. till 4:30 at night cause I have clinicals. So, be prepared for that if you decide this is the route you want to take. As far as your prereq's you should check with Triton because some of those classes do not correlate with Triton's classes. For example you have a physics course, I took the intro to physics at triton, it is more zones in on ultrasound. I'm not talking about the one that SNAT is talking about, this one is a prereq. The one she is talking about is all the dms physics within the program. Another one is human anatomy and physiology, its one class at Triton whereas it would be two classes at Moraine....I went to moraine too!! If you want more detail send me your email. Be happy to discuss.

Rush University has a vascular ultrasound program. It is a Bachelor's degree program.

Does anyone know how the program at Harper College is vs. Triton? I am starting over, haven't been to Harper since the early 90s. My background was in the financial and real estate industries so this will be all new to me.

Just want to see if it would be worth the drive to go to Triton instead. I live on the WI/IL border so I would rather stay close to home. Also, does anyone know of any online options from an accredited school?

Thanks!

I dont know anything about Harper College, but I do know that there are alot of scams out there with those online schools. There are no online ultrasound schools that are accredited. These schools are not going to be able to get you certified either. The best thing to do is check with ardms.org to make sure. I did however come across a company in Illinois that gets you a diploma in either ultrasound or mri tech with clinicals. They are not a school but more of an outpatient medical office that trains. They have real doctors and real patients, so you do all your clinicals there. This seems like a legitimate company and I am considering going there next summer. It is a little expensive, but worth it I think. Most of these scam companies train you after you pay them a ton of money, and then they say that you are responsible to find your own clinicals. Nobody will hire you for your clinicals if you dont go to an accredited school because they have to insure you to work on their patients and if you didnt go to an accredited school they are not trusting you on their patients. This company does everything required by ardms and helps you get your certification. Call them or visit their website www.mritutors.com/3-0-Ultrasound+Technologist.html
Hope I was of help!

A sonographer not a Technician in Chicago, Illinois said: I am a 1999 Triton Grad. the #1 thing that they look at 1st is whether you live in district or out. They get 1st choice then the pre req's and then your grades. It is all evend out in the end.

At the information session I attended 4 months ago, they stated that in-district-out of district is not looked at, in district no longer gets priority, its the most qualified :) I have this in writting btw!

echocariographer wanna be in Worth, Illinois said: Rebecca,
You sound like a smart girl, I hope you really go through with this program.
Call triton and ask your questions. I did 2 days ago. I forgot the womans name I spoke with but she was very helpful and did not rush to get off the phone with me. Get the information straight from the person who knows! Call the school. From a mom who waited to get back to school,do it now while you still have energy, and while your child is young. It is a wonderful to be independand and have money to help feed your childs dreams. I lost my first career(mortgage industry) and cant wait to get my new one!

Hi, are you in the DMS program at Triton? I am also in Worth and just started going to school for my prereqs and gen ed. I was wondering how the drive is and how often classes are for the first, second, and so on semesters. I have two small children and I am only taking 2 classes a semester to be successful, and its gonna take me 3 years before I can apply! But I know it is going to be worth it in 5 years when im a sonographer :)

Hi all, I am currently attending Triton for DMS as well. I will have all of my pre-reqs done by the time I apply accept for the First Aid and CPR... for those that are in the program do you think that taking this class in the spring will count against me? My GPA is a 3.8 and I have taken most of my classes at Joliet Junior College which some of them are more credit hours than those at Triton. I am also in New Lenox and someone was asking about the drive...well it really sucks!! no good way to get there or get back!! Any suggestions on a rout would be appreciated.=)

Myzoo-Can't help you with the commute. There is just no good way to go. As far as taking the class in the Spring, you should be fine. It will just depend on the others that are trying to get in and how you measure up against them. Did you take your 1 hour humanities class? For some reason people tend to forget to take that one and then they struggle to fit it in. Good luck to you! I graduated in the Spring so if you have any questions let me know. :)

Thanks for responding. Yes, I took a 3 hr humanities course at Triton. I will have everything I need accept the CPR class. I have A&P II at JJC and math, into to allied health and ethics and law in allied health this term at Triton. Is there an entrance exam like the TEAS for nursing? Thanks so much

E

stalin in Chicago, Illinois said: HI,
I JUST COMPLETED AN ULTRASOUND COURSE WITH PCCTI.
I AM NOW REGISTERED WITH ARDMS TO TAKE AN EXAM IN SPI.
PLEASE GO TO ARDMS WEBSITE AND GET REGISTERED
TO BE ELIGIBLE YOU JUST HAVE TO DO A COURSE WITH PCCTI OR ANY OTHER ULTRASOUND SCHOOL AND PASS THEIR PHYSICS EXAM, EVEN IF YOU ARE ONLY A HIGH SCHOOLER.

ALL THE BEST AND PRAY FOR ME.

Stalin...I wish you the best on your physics exam. I too am a graduate of PCCTI..I have nothing good to say about PCCTI but luckily for me and my determinatuion and hard work was able to find employment. I currently work part-time for a hospital in chicago's south side. I am currently preparing myself to take the physics exam as well. I am able to sit for the OB exam because I AM employed and have over 1360 hrs of work experience and have a BA in biology. Please follow everyone else's advice..go to the ARDMS website OR call them. They are very helpful and answer any question you might have. Good Luck!

Proud Sonographer in Hammond, Indiana said: Stalin...I wish you the best on your physics exam. I too am a graduate of PCCTI..I have nothing good to say about PCCTI but luckily for me and my determinatuion and hard work was able to find employment. I currently work part-time for a hospital in chicago's south side. I am currently preparing myself to take the physics exam as well. I am able to sit for the OB exam because I AM employed and have over 1360 hrs of work experience and have a BA in biology. Please follow everyone else's advice..go to the ARDMS website OR call them. They are very helpful and answer any question you might have. Good Luck!

Do you mind if I ask how long you've been working and how did you get this job? I graduated from an accredited program last year, and I have passed all my registries and I can't even get an interview. Do you have any suggestions for me? Please help.

Hi..sorry to hear about your luck not finding a job. I've been employed for almost 2 years now. I'm considered "on-call" status but work 2 days a week....sometimes 3. I don't receive any benefits, don't get time and a half for holidays, no sick days and pretty much get treated like a part timer. They obviously are saving tons of money like this..but hey I have a job. During school, I was able to get a clinical with an MFM doctor...high risk ob md who scanned patients himself. I was able to learn ob with him. After 5 months with him, my school was able to get me a clinical at the hospital where I currently work. You could say I arrived at the right place and at the right time, that when I was finished with 4 months of clinicals, I was offered the on call position with guaranteed 16 hrs per week. I did my best so the 3 radiologists there knew who I was, always put my name on the preliminary reports, and always asked them questions....I guess they helped me out too.
The director gave me until March 2012 to take my registries...which im freakn out but have to do it. I know you're in Florida and don't really know how things are there, but here in Chicago its tough. There are many people like yourself that are registered but have no experience. I know this might sound crazy but can you 'volunteer' at a hospital in Radiology? We just had a girl that graduated from the same school I did, who volunteered for about 8 months and finally was hired on call...now she's full time 3rd shift..which I didn't want because of my daughter.
Well I wish you the BEST OF LUCK!! Please feel free to respond and ask anything you'd like.

Proud Sonographer in Hammond, Indiana said: You could say I arrived at the right place and at the right time, that when I was finished with 4 months of clinicals, I was offered the on call position with guaranteed 16 hrs per week. I did my best so the 3 radiologists there knew who I was, always put my name on the preliminary reports, and always asked them questions....The director gave me until March 2012 to take my registries.......which im freakn out but have to do it. I know you're in Florida and don't really know how things are there, but here in Chicago its tough. Well I wish you the BEST OF LUCK!! Please feel free to respond and ask anything you'd like.

No, I'm originally from Florida but I have been living in Illinois for the last few years so I know how hard it is. I guess I'm just feeling bad because many in my class have found jobs and I really felt that I was just as good as all of them. Just bad luck I guess. I actually went to a school near Chicago that's why I was so curious as to what hospital would hire a new grad. I guess since you did your clinicals there it helped. The hospitals I did my clinicals at are not hiring. :( Sorry for the sob-story. It just seems like my family and friends are tired of hearing it. It feels good to get it off my chest. Thanks for responding. (I do some volunteer work but it is only a few days a month and I feel like it would be deceptive to add it to my resume. What do you think?)

Yeah not sure anyone really cares about volunteer work..but would they hire you in the future? Well I know the hospital I work at is hiring part time 3rd shift...dont know how far you are from the south side of chicago? Here's my e-mail...amada0908@yahoo.com. If interested please email me. You would get the same hours I work with the same 'benefits'. I live in Hammond, Indiana which makes me about 20 miles from my job. I could def talk to the radiology director and put a good name in for you...we are kind of desperate cuz she had to hire an agency to cover those shifts. By the way, my other co-workers live in Glenview, Evanston and I believe Round Lake...so that gives you an idea on how far other u/s sonographers travel for work..I think I'm the closest one to the hospital :D Well let me know!

wishicouldscan in Tampa, Florida said: No, I'm originally from Florida but I have been living in Illinois for the last few years so I know how hard it is. I guess I'm just feeling bad because many in my class have found jobs and I really felt that I was just as good as all of them. Just bad luck I guess. I actually went to a school near Chicago that's why I was so curious as to what hospital would hire a new grad. I guess since you did your clinicals there it helped. The hospitals I did my clinicals at are not hiring. :( Sorry for the sob-story. It just seems like my family and friends are tired of hearing it. It feels good to get it off my chest. Thanks for responding. (I do some volunteer work but it is only a few days a month and I feel like it would be deceptive to add it to my resume. What do you think?)

Hope I can help you, I have two offers in my hand now, all are full-time jobs with good benefits plus relocation fees. please give me your email address.

HopeIcanhelp in Louisville, Kentucky said: Hope I can help you, I have two offers in my hand now, all are full-time jobs with good benefits plus relocation fees. please give me your email address.

Does anyone know of any OB ultrasound jobs in the Chicagoland/Indiana area?

Proud Sonographer in Hammond, Indiana said: Stalin...I wish you the best on your physics exam. I too am a graduate of PCCTI..I have nothing good to say about PCCTI but luckily for me and my determinatuion and hard work was able to find employment. I currently work part-time for a hospital in chicago's south side. I am currently preparing myself to take the physics exam as well. I am able to sit for the OB exam because I AM employed and have over 1360 hrs of work experience and have a BA in biology. Please follow everyone else's advice..go to the ARDMS website OR call them. They are very helpful and answer any question you might have. Good Luck!

Hi my name is Tia and I am currently interested in finding a location that will allow me to do clinicals. I know that pccti students have to find their own clinical site and so far everyone has told me no . So if you can can you plz tell me where you did clinicals at. If you can can you email me at t_wllc@yahoo.com.

Does anyone know of any high risk OB ultrasound jobs in the Chicagoland/Indiana area? Thanks.

How long did it take you to get in? I am applying to this school but it said you have to have chemistry biology and other general ed courses do you know if I can take them the semester before i want to start program

I am trying to apply for this program in fall of 2012 can I take the general ed courses in the spring and appy for fall

Hi i am trying to get in the same program so if i take all prereq's n da classes not marked dms. Does that mean once i get in i will only have my main dms courses to take? Meaning less classes to worry about?

Most who are CAAHP approved do have a difficult being employed. Most schools in Illinois do have a quality reputation where you will learn basic diagnostic sonography.

Source: www.ultrasoundtechnicianhelp.net/ultrasound-technician-schools-in-illinois/

Hey does triton have da classes like ahl english hum the ones thAt are not dms in da summer

I agree with this posting. If you don't have self discipline than you may want to go to an accredited school. But most likely you'll be on a two year waiting list. Or you can take it upon yourself to actually do the work. go to a school that will allow you to graduate in 1 year. Find a clinic. work for a year ( most likely free or for a very low pay so that they are able to monitor your skills and get comfortable with you and also train you the way they run their business). You can finish in two years or less the more work you put into it. You can even do your clinical simultaneously with school and be finish in 1 year. with the accredited school you wait for two year. the course is two years. so it comes out to possibly 4 years. You are responsible for your own success. And I agree with the comment that "those who are weak, tend to blame others". Remember that.

A sonographer not a Technician in Chicago, Illinois said: Jill,
Did you call or e-mail Debbie like I told you in the earlier posting? That will be your 1st step. Triton is the top school in Illinois in my opinion. They turn out the best Sonographers . You should look at my earlier post to gather all the info you will need.
You do stand a chance a damned good one. Just get a hold of Debbie and follow through.

The top school is Harper I know the guy who set up the program from top to bottom and taught docotrs how to scan and read he is the pioneeer. He left Triton because he didn't allow anyone to pass who didn't know their stuff. Noninvasive Cardiology Sonography is a tricky profession their are alot of techs/sonographers who never atteneded school and cn out scan anyone so you have to be open to working hard and asking the right questions when going to any school. GOOD LUCK to all. BUT DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS.

www.pccti.com/testimonials

So After taking the SPI exam 3 times, I am now ready to take the echo exam, and I now find out I don't meet their prerequisites. I just want to understand, How come I meet to take the SPI but I don't meet to take their echo... It's all about the MONEY... So now ARDMS can kiss it and CCI here I come...