Magnetic Resonance Imaging Certificate (C45200M)

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging certificate prepares the student to use MRI equipment to visualize cross-sectional anatomical structures and aid physicians in the demonstration of pathologies and disease processes. Individuals entering this curriculum must be registered or registry-eligible radiologic technologists, radiation therapists, or nuclear medicine technologists.

Coursework prepares the technologist to provide patient care and perform studies using imaging equipment, professional communication, and quality assurance in scheduled and emergency procedures through academic and clinical studies. Academic courses are offered fully online. Clinical courses can be arranged, within reason, to fit the student’s schedule. Students will rotate through a variety of clinical sites to obtain the necessary experience and competency exams

Graduates may be eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Advanced-Level testing in Magnetic Resonance Imaging examinations. They may find employment in facilities that perform these imaging procedures.

Admission and Selection Criteria

CCC has established admissions and selection procedures to ensure students are admitted and selected in a consistent and equitable manner. Completion of these requirements will not guarantee admission to the program. All applicants are encouraged to attend a Health Sciences Symposium, which are held in June and November, to learn more information about the program.

All admissions criteria must be completed and submitted to the Admissions Office prior to the program deadline of April 25.

Admissions Requirements

  • Application to the College and NC Residency

  • Official college transcripts documenting graduation from a JRCERT or JRCNMT approved program  

  • Must be registered or registry eligible in one of the following: radiologic technologist, radiation therapist, or nuclear medicine technologist. No MRI certificate will be awarded until proof of ARRT registration is provided.

Post-Provisional Acceptance Requirements

An email notification of provisional acceptance will be sent by May 1. The following must be completed to satisfy acceptance requirements:

  • Criminal background check and 12-panel drug screen obtained through a secure compliance tracking database
  • The following immunizations are required (more information will be provided during orientation):
    • Covid-19
    • Complete 2-Step TB Test or IGRA
    • Hepatitis B
    • Influenza (required between 9/1 - 10/31)
    • Varicella
    • Td or TDaP
    • MMR
    • CPR Certification
    • Comply with the Technical Standards outlined for the program
    • Highly recommended for all students to have health insurance

Clinical facilities may require criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of the program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of the program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employing agencies.

Essential Functions and Technical Standards

Purpose Statement

The following standards reflect reasonable expectations of students. In adopting these standards, the program is mindful of the patient’s right to safe and high-quality healthcare by students. The student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations while providing high-quality patient care. These standards reflect what may be required for employment of the entry-level professional.

It is important that students who are admitted possess cognitive and critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, behavioral skills, physical skills, and communication skills necessary to practice in the field. Reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but each student must be able to independently perform all performance standards demanded by the clinical site and the College. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with Disabilities Services at Cleveland Community College. The following abilities/skills are required, with or without accommodations. Students must meet the following technical standards and maintain satisfactory demonstration of these standards for progression throughout the program. Students unable to meet these technical standards will not be able to complete the program. The examples used are not all-inclusive.

Capability

Standard

Examples of Technical Standard Found in the Program and Related to Industry

Cognitive Ability/Critical Thinking Skills

Demonstrate ability in reading and comprehension and use them together to demonstrate critical thinking skills and clinical reasoning.

Read and document data.
Operate various healthcare equipment, including blood pressure monitoring, digital and standard scales, and mechanical lifts.

Demonstrate a professional manner and insight in the communication process. Identify and immediately report changes in patient health status conditions that endanger patients, and evaluate patient complaints.
Be able to exercise critical thinking skills, organize responsibilities, make appropriate decisions, and perform accurate mathematical calculations. Incorporate knowledge from lecture, laboratory and clinical experience to prioritize safe and efficient care for each patient.
Perform measurement and calculations.

 Physical

Tactile Skills: Sense of touch sufficient to perform physical assessment and functions.

Seize, hold, grasp, and turn with hands.
Perform palpation, tactile assessment, and manipulation of the body as required to produce diagnostic images.
Manipulate locks on equipment.
Don gloves.
Fill syringes.
Align patient, image receptors, and x-ray tube.

Mobility/Motor Skills: Possess skills sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.

Be able to lift and carry or push up to 50 pounds.
Demonstrate adequate coordination.
Be able to endure long periods of standing, sitting, walking, bending, lifting, reaching, stooping, squatting, and moving in complex health environments.
Position and transfer patients safely from wheelchair or stretcher to x-ray table and back.
Push mobile x-ray machine to various locations, including in patient rooms.
Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Reach overhead to manipulate equipment hanging from the ceiling.

Auditory Skills: Hearing ability (with corrective devices as needed) to monitor and respond to the patient and the healthcare team.

Hear instructions.
Perform percussion and auscultation in a physical examination.
Hear call for help.
Hear low noise level bells and/or buzzers.
Function when healthcare team is required to wear surgical masks.

Visual Skills: Visual ability (with corrective devices as needed) to monitor and assess patient care needs, performance of patient care procedures, and maintenance and compliance with environmental safety.

Observe demonstrations and participate in physical examination sessions, clinical skills workshops, and observe the difference between normal versus pathological states.
Read monitor data.
Read and document diagnostic records.
Possess visual acuity and intensity discrimination in order to evaluate radiographs or scans for technical quality.
Possess peripheral vision.
Possess depth perception.

Behavioral Skills

Possess the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly, without warning, and or/in unpredictable ways.

Accept responsibility for learning, exercising good judgment, and promptly completing all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.
Contribute to collaborative, constructive learning environments; accept constructive feedback from others; take personal responsibility for making appropriate positive changes.
Demonstrate flexibility, compassion, integrity, and motivation.
Present a professional appearance.

Interpersonal Skills

Ability to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

Demonstrate respect for the patient, his or her privacy, and for family members.
Develop and maintain effective, mature and sensitive professional relationships with other members of the heath care team.
Establish rapport with patients, families and colleagues.

Communication Skills

Ability to communicate effectively in the classroom, laboratory, and all clinical settings with patients, families and members of the healthcare team. Students must be able to speak and converse with all persons across the lifespan.

Read, comprehend, and write legibly in the English language.
Demonstrate evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate technological literacy.
Be able to collect and document data.
Provide clear and audible directions to patients face-to-face and from the radiography control area, away from the patient.

Occupational Exposure

Healthcare is often delivered in high-stress areas, requiring management of multiple roles and duties simultaneously. The imaging student must possess the ability to protect self and others by implementing appropriate precautions due to possible exposure to radiation, communicable disease and/or body fluids, toxic substances, or other hazards.

Exposure to blood and body fluids and communicable and infectious diseases, requiring the wearing of personal protective equipment, i.e., masks, goggles, and gloves.
Working with sharps and chemicals.
Exposure to radiation, requiring lead apron weighing up to 10 pounds and monitoring devices for dose to exposed body parts.
Exposure to latex and nitrile products if allergic.
Exposure to assault and battery
Environmental hazards – slippery floors, various levels of lighting, various room temperatures, etc.
Legal/ethical dilemmas
Liability issues

Estimated Total Cost for Program

Fee Description Year 1
Tuition $1538.00
Program Fees $100.00
Background, Drug Screen, & Immunization Tracker $135.00
Clinical Tracker $40.00
Uniforms and Shoes $200.00
Malpractice Insurance $16.00
Textbooks $150.00
Laptop (Recommended) $500.00 
Estimated Total $2679.00

Grading Policy

All courses must receive a grade of B or higher in program.

Course and Hour Requirements

Required Courses

MRI 210MRI Physics and Equipment

3

MRI 211MRI Procedures

4

MRI 225MRI Clinical Practicum

5

MRI 226MRI Clinical Practicum

6

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 18