MRI Technology Program

The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Technologist is a medical professional who uses specialized MRI equipment to create images of structures inside the human body.   MRI Technologists must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to critically ill.  The MRI Technologist will be supervised by board certified radiologists, but will be provided responsibility and independence in the performance of their duties.

This course is designed to prepare the student to perform clinical MRI examinations of the human body with special consideration to image production, quality control, signal to noise ratio, and basic pulse sequences.

The mission of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is to offer quality medical programs that integrate professional skills, career-focused education and hands-on practical experience, empowering students to develop and achieve their personal and career potentials.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts believes that education should promote the development of positive self-esteem.  Therefore, the institution provides services that support the efforts of students to succeed academically, vocationally and personally.  The Academy provides a sophisticated level of training to individuals who desire a professional career in the medical field.  This is accomplished through educational programs utilizing advanced training equipment, didactic lectures and hands-on experience provided by highly trained instructors, physicians and technologists.

The MRI Program goals and objectives are:
1. To train students who demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for employment as entry-level MRI technologists.
2. To develop interpersonal skills in communicating with patients, medical and administrative individuals.
3. To help students acquire the necessary skills to practice proper patient care.
4. To provide students with the knowledge, clinical skills, problem solving abilities, and interpersonal skills to practice in the field of magnetic resonance imaging.
5. To produce graduates who will be competent in entry level positions as an MRI Technologist and who display appropriate behaviors as set forth by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT)specifications, and the Section for Magnetic Resonance Technologists (SMRT) Curriculum Guide.
6. To prepare students to take and pass the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) examinations.

1. Applicant must have graduated from high school, or earned a GED and be at least 18 years of age.
2. Applicant must possess at a minimum an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree.
3. Applicant must pay all applicable fees, as per the current published fee schedule prior to the issuance of an enrollment contract or make other payment arrangements acceptable to the school.
4. Applicant must complete a Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) with a score of at least 30.
5. Applicant must pass an interview with the Program Director.
6. Applicant must have completed the following coursework which is typically included in an Associate Degree curriculum:  A minimum of 15 credit hours of general education coursework which must include Communications and Mathematics/Analytic Studies.  For the remaining general education credits courses from different categories such as the Social/Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences, Computing or Humanities/Fine Arts are encouraged to ensure a diversified educational experience.
7. Applicant must pass all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” defined as a 2.5 grade point value*. All prerequisite courses (see list of prerequisites below) must be completed and official transcripts submitted before the commencement of the core program.
a. Essential Medical Bio-Science
b. Anatomy and Physiology
*Applicants may request to challenge the prerequisite courses by taking and passing a challenge exam for each course after submitting an original transcript that proves the course was taken within the last 5 years and given a grade of at least 2.5 or “C”.
8. Applicants who can demonstrate 2 years of allied health education including but not limited to Nursing sciences, Radiology Technicians, Paramedics, etc., may be exempted from taking certain prerequisite courses and challenge exams by providing an official grade transcripts for each of the following courses:
a. Anatomy and Physiology
b. Biology
9. Submit all the following requirements for internships:
a. Titer for MMR (Measles/Rubeola, Mumps, & Rubella)
b. Titer for Varicella
c. 3-Shot Series for Hepatitis B Immunization
d. Titer for Hepatitis B Dated After the Completion Date of the Immunization
e. Physical Exam by a Physician
f. CPR certification through the American Heart Association which is valid for 2 years.  Classes are offered at GAMA monthly.
g. Current PPD (TB) Skin Test (within 1 year) or Chest Film if PPD+

1. Applications are available from the admissions office and are accepted year round. To be considered for admission into the program, the applicant must (checklist):
2. Submit a completed application (Recommended be done on site with the admissions advisor)
3. Submit a seventy-five dollar ($75) non-refundable application fee
4. Pay all applicable fees, as per the current published fee schedule prior to the issuance of an enrollment contract or must make other arrangements acceptable to the school.
5. Submit a copy of your Associate or Bachelor degree diploma and/or official transcripts*.
*Please note that students with foreign educational background such as H.S. diploma, AA/AS, BA/BS or Master’s Degree must have it evaluated prior to enrolling into the program.
6. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all college course work and must submit official transcripts directly from the registrar’s office before the application will be considered complete.  Copies will not be accepted.
7. Applicants holding a foreign diploma must bring proof of successful completion of an ESL class equal to ESL 26/ English 1A in the Foothill - De Anza community college system or to successfully pass TOEFL test with the following minimum scores:  560 for the PBT (paper-based test); 220 for the CBT (computer-based test); and 87 for the iBT (internet-based test).
8. Pass the SLE – Scholastic Level Exam with a score of at least 30.
9. Pass an Interview with Program Director.

Length: 12 months, 5 times per week (1640 Hours)
Internship: 11 months in an affiliated medical facilities.
Session Schedule: Monday through Friday 9AM-5PM

Tuition: $28,700.00
Books and Materials: $640.00
Uniforms:  $60.00
Application Fees: $75.00 (non-refundable)
Student Tuition Recover Fund:  $72.50
RSDRF: $100.00 (refundable deposit )
Total Program Cost: $29,647.50

Additional costs if applicable - Prerequisites: $2,250.00 which includes the cost of textbooks ($127.20).  Prerequisite courses cover general medical science courses such as:  Essential Medical Bio-Science (80 Hours) and Anatomy, Physiology, & Medical Terminology (56 Hours).

Sallie Mae student loans are available now for those who qualify.

For details please call 650-685-6616
 

Upon completion of the MRI Technology program, graduates are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) National Certification examination.

To get more infomation about ARMRIT national certification please visit www.armrit.org

According to the statistics of US Labor Deportment, Median annual earnings of MRI Techs were $48,660 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,420 and $56,020 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $66,680. Median annual earnings of MRI Techs in 2002 were $50,390 in Imaging Diagnostic Centers and $47,530 in hospitals.

The expansion of hospital MRI departments and the increasing number of new private MRI facilities, create many opportunities for a career in MRI technology. MRI provides the most detailed images available today; its more accurate than any other imaging procedure.