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.

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.

To be considered for admission into the MRI Technology Program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicant must submit a completed application. It is recommended that interested applicants fill out the application with the admissions advisor.

2. Applicant must have graduated from high school, or earned a GED and be at least 18 years of age.

3. Applicant must possess an Associate Degree in any field.  Student must provide official transcripts which reflect a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college course work directly from the registrar’s office before the application will be considered complete. Copies will not be accepted.

4. 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).

5. Applicant must 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.

6. Applicant must complete a Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) with a score of at least 30.

7. Applicant must pass all of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” defined as a 2.0 grade point value*.
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 equivalent coursework was successfully completed within the last 3 years and given a grade of at least 2.0 or “C”.

12. Applicant must comply with the Gurnick Academy requirements for Immunizations, Health Screening, Background Check, and CPR policy.

13. Applicant must pass an interview with the MRI Program Director of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.

Length: 52 weeks (excluding holidays and vacations), 5 times per week (1640 Hours)
Internship: 12 months in affiliated medical facilities.
Session Schedule: 5 days varying Monday through Saturday for 8 hours

Registration Fee of $75.00 (non-refundable fee due at the time of first registration)

Tuition: $28,700.00
Books and Materials: $640.00
Uniforms:  $60.00
Student Tuition Recover Fund:  $75.00 (non-refundable)
RSDRF: $100.00 (refundable deposit)
Total Program Cost: $29,575.00

Additional Prerequisite costs if applicable:

Student Tuition Recovery Fund:  $7.50 (non-refundable)
Prerequisite Tuition and Books: $2,655.00
Total Prerequisite Cost:  $2,662.50

Prerequisite courses cover general medical science courses such as:  Essential Medical Bioscience (80 Hours) and Anatomy & Physiology (56 hours).

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 Employment Development Department's Occupational Employmnet Statistics (December 2009), the annual average wage of a MRI Technologists was $63,058 in 2009. The lowest 25th percentile earned was $51,623, and the highest 25th percentile earned was $77,092.

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.