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What Will I Learn at Casa Loma College's MRI Program?
Graduates of the Casa Loma College Magnetic Resonance Imaging program receive the education they need to sit for the certification exams and to be fully qualified for jobs in their field. Some course you will take include:
- Physics and Instrumentation
- Patient Care & Management
- Clinical Externship: Prerequisites: Successful Completion of All MRI Core Classes This course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a supervised clinical setting.
- MR Imaging and Procedures: This course provides the student with an overview of the fundamental principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging terminology, safety, instrumentation, imaging, protocols, and procedures. The students receive an introduction to instrumentation, physics, principles, and advanced imaging concepts later discussed in MRI Physics. To better prepare the student to recognize the need for protocol and procedure adjustments, the course familiarizes the students with common pathologies, disease processes, and characteristics found in magnetic resonance imaging. The course is set up in multiple supporting facets: imaging & procedure lecture, pathology lecture, and lab practicum. The student learns to image throughout the body based on characteristics that are presented in the patient history, diagnosis, treatment, and/or physician’s order.
- MR Imaging and Procedures. This course is a continuation of MR Imaging and Procedures I. It provides the student with an overview of the fundamental principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging terminology, safety, instrumentation, imaging, protocols, and procedures. The student learns to image throughout the body based on characteristics that are presented in the patient history, diagnosis, treatment, and/or physicians instructions.
- MRI Safety. This course is designed to express the importance of Safety in the MR environment. The complexity of MRI makes MRI safety considerations important in many aspects such as: Personnel training, Site Planning, Instrumentation, Equipment, Patient Screening, Medical Implants, Hazards, Special MRI environments and Medical Emergencies. Students learn in detail the fundamentals of the hazards of MRI, understand how to address issues and follow recommendations from the ACR Manual on MRI Safety.
- MRI Course and Clinical Application Review. Prerequisites: Completion of All MRI Core Classes This is a comprehensive review, at an advanced level. The course reviews and focuses students who are studying for advanced level exams. The course includes mock exams, topic quizzes, and homework/study assignments.
In summary, you will learn:
- How to interview patients to determine if there are any contraindications to an MRI procedure.
- How to put patients at ease who are stressed and in pain so that the technologists can obtain usable images.
- The MRI relevant physics theories and principles.
- Pulse sequence parameters and image optimization.
- How to perform MRIs according to doctors’ orders and facility protocols.
- How to properly film, format, and archive imaging studies.
- Effective and appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.
- How to always act in a professional and ethical manner.
“I used to think I was too old and inexperienced to go back to school, but here I am, a week away from my first Final and I couldn’t be happier with my choice to believe in myself and believe in Casa Loma Colleges’ MRI program. From the start, they have helped me stay pointed in the right direction. The faculty not only teach but they are additionally working MRI techs that bring current scenarios to the lectures that really help lock in the material. You start with Anatomy and Physiology in semester one and it really lays the foundation for future courses. I couldn’t be happier with my decision and cannot wait to experience the next 18 months.” – K. K.
How Much Does an MRI Tech Make?
The job outlook for an MRI Technologist in the U.S. and in California is growing and offers a competitive salary. Wages vary by geographical location. As a guideline:
In the United States: The most recent data available is from 2021:
- The median annual salary was $77,360. The median wage is what half the workers in the occupation earn. Half earn more and half earn less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,110. The highest 10 percent earned more than $100,870.
- The highest paying employers are found at outpatient care centers. Others with comparable pay include medical and diagnostic laboratories, physician’s offices, and hospitals.
In California:
- Workers on average earn $107,450.
- 10% of workers earn $69,260 or less.
- 10% of workers earn $143,510 or more.
Recent Employers of Casa Loma College MRI Graduates
Graduates from the MRI Diagnostic at Casa Loma College have no trouble finding employment. Some of their recent employers are:
- Access
- Adventist Health Bakersfield
- Carlsbad Imaging Center
- Imaging Specialists of Pasadena
- Liberty Pacific Advanced Imaging
- Radiology Associates
- Radnet
- Radnet Imaging Suite 100
- Rolling Oaks Radiology-St. Johns
- SMI Imaging Center of San Diego
- St. Charles Imaging Center
- Torrance Memorial Medical Center
- UCSD School of Medicine (Dept of Radiology)
- Valley Orthopedic Institute
“Casa Loma College in Van Nuys has been an amazing experience for myself and my family. Since day one, I have been provided with the tools necessary to exceed in the MRI course. Every staff member was available 24/7 for every single question, concern, or comment I had.” – Fortino R.
Financial Aid
For those who are eligible, financial aid is an excellent tool to help reduce the out-of-pocket costs to attend college. Casa Loma College has a committed team of financial aid professionals on call to help students and parents navigate the process.
Casa Loma College participates in many programs to help reduce the cost of college, including:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Federal Work Study
- Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent PLUS)
- CSAC Cal Grant
To learn more about the financial aid process, and what loans or grants you may be eligible for, please refer to our financial aid page.
Veteran’s Benefits
For those who qualify, Casa Loma College is approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) to offer academic programs under Title 38, United States Code, to enroll veterans and other eligible persons who qualify for educational benefits.
For a full list of benefits, and to learn more, please visit our Veteran’s Benefits page.