Description

The Program consists of 12 months of education as follows: Didactic – 6 months; and Clinical – 6 months. The Didactic component of the Program consists of the following courses: MRI Fundamentals – 72 hours; (includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, electricity and magnetism, as they relate to the principles of MRI which include image formation, signal intensity and contrast, pulse sequences, and contrast agents); MRI Applications – 72 hours (includes anatomy and pathology of body systems and regions, and imaging protocols); Medical Fundamentals – 108 hours (includes the basic medical sciences of biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, anatomy, histology, embryology, physiology, neurobiology, pharmacology and pathology, as they relate to MRI); and Medical Applications – 36 hours (includes emergency situations, patient care pre-, during and post- imaging, administrative procedures and regulatory agencies). The Clinical component of the Program consists of the following course: MRI scanner training and patient care – 1,000 hours. The duration of the Program (12 months) is as follows: Didactic – 6 months / 288 hours [(4 hours/day)(3 days/week)(4 weeks/month)(6 months) = 288 hours]; and Clinical – 6 months / 1,000 hours [(8 hours/day)(5 days/week)(4 weeks/month)(6 months) = 1,000 hours]. Total – 12 months / 1288 hours.

Two classes are provided each year. Each class is of 12 months duration (Didactic – 6 months and Clinical – 6 months) and consists of 5 – 10 students. The Didactic Component of the Program is provided by James T. Patrick, MD, PhD (Director of the AAMRI). The Clinical Component of the Program, which is overseen by James T. Patrick, MD, PhD, is provided by MRI Technologist Trainers / Supervisors. The Trainer / Supervisor to Student ratio is 1:1; i.e. each MRI Trainer / Supervisor provides education to only 1 student per operational shift (~ 8 – 10 hours) of the MRI scanner.

Completion of the Program qualifies the student to sit for the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) Examination. Successful completion of the ARMRIT Examination (see www.armrit.org) certifies the student as a qualified / competent registered MRI Technologist.