The demand for excellent medical imaging professionals is continuing to increase throughout the State of California and the United States. Come train with Casa Loma College and watch as you become a highly qualified MRI Technologist!

As part of the health care team, MRI Technologists perform diagnostic medical examinations using powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed pictures inside your body. An MRI can help a doctor diagnose a disease or injury. MRI’s can be done on different parts of the body. For instance an MRI of the brain and spinal cord looks for blood vessel damage, brain injury, cancer, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and strokes; an MRI of the heart and blood vessels looks for blocked blood vessels, heart disease, damage caused by heart attack and problems with the structure of the heart; an MRI of the bones and joints looks for bone infections, cancer, joint damage and disc problem in the spine; and an MRI can also check the health of breasts, liver, kidneys, pancreas and many other areas and organs of the body.

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program at Casa Loma College offers an Associate of Science Degree in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This comprehensive 22 month program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and approved by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for MRI Primary Pathway Certification. The program provides graduates with the necessary eligibility requirements to qualify for examination by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) MRI Primary Pathway Certification and Registration.

The courses include general education curriculum, MR courses, and clinical practicum courses. A complete outline of required courses is available in the Casa Loma College Catalog. Topics included in the MR courses and clinical practicum courses include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• MR Physics and Instrumentation
• Cross Sectional Anatomy
• MR Imaging and Procedures
• Patient Care and Management

Students receive in-class instruction, online instruction, laboratory experience, and clinical practicum experience. The MR and clinical practicum courses encompass six consecutive semesters and require the student to participate in courses up to 40 hours per week. Clinical practicum experience is obtained in a variety of health care facilities.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for national certification examinations of the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) MRI Primary Pathway Certification and Registration.

ARMRIT: To obtain MRI Certification, candidates must be a graduate of an approved MRI Program. You can learn more about the requirements by visiting MRI Candidate Handbook.

ARRT: To obtain the ARRT Credential, you must meet three requirements, education, ethics and examination. You can learn more about the requirements for certification through ARRT by visiting ARRT MRI Requirements.

THE ROLE OF THE MRI TECHNOLOGIST
The MRI Technologist performs various diagnostic procedures under the supervision of a licensed physician and works closely with patients to provide instruction and quality care while performing diagnostic procedures. These procedures are quite varied and provide images of virtually all parts of the anatomy.

MRI is unique in the field of diagnostic imaging because of the manner in which images are obtained. The patient is positioned within a powerful magnetic field and radio frequency signals are utilized to create 3-D images of the patient’s internal structures. This is accomplished without the use of ionizing radiation. Those images are read by radiologists, who give the reports to patients’ physicians to help diagnose conditions that may not be possible with other imaging methods. MRI is a field with direct patient contact.