Mercer County Community College, Trenton, NJ 08690

MRI CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FAQs

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a highly sophisticated technology used in the demonstration of abnormalities of the central nervous system and other body systems/tissues.  The increased use of MRI in diagnosis has opened the door to expanded career opportunities for well-trained and knowledgeable technologists.  Mercer County Community College is pleased to offer a course of study and training to meet the career needs of imaging and therapeutic radiologic technologists.  The following information is presented in order to answer the most frequently asked questions related to the MRI Clinical Fellowship Program.

Images are from the CD-ROM MR/CT Atlas of Anatomy, by Klaus Küper, M.D. (Thieme, 2001)

WHAT IS THE MRI CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM?

The MRI Clinical Fellowship is a dual program of classroom instruction and clinical training in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  Its purpose is to provide qualified radiologic technologists with the knowledge and skills needed to gain entry-level employment in this dynamic and challenging medical imaging field.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROGRAM LAST?

The lecture course, Fundamentals of MRI, meets once a week for ten weeks.  Each class session is approximately two hours long.  The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has approved the course for 20 category-A credits.  The course provides a basic foundation in the physical principles of MRI.  It is open to any credentialed radiologic technologist (ARRT, ARDMS or NMTCB) regardless of their interest in the clinical phase of the Program.

Upon successful completion of the lecture course, students receive a certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for admission into the clinical phase of the Program.  The clinical phase is eight weeks long, with clinical assignment taking place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Two local-area imaging centers collaborate in this endeavor. Students are assigned to one of the two clinical sites for the eight-week period.  It is possible to complete both lecture and laboratory components in eighteen consecutive weeks.

WHAT WILL BE COVERED?

The lecture course will provide instruction on basic principles of magnetism and electromagnetic induction.  Additional topics include net magnetization and Larmor frequency radio wave interaction with atomic nuclei.  Hardware and software components will be discussed along with conventional and specialized pulse sequences. The course includes topics dealing with MRI contrast agents and MRI regulatory and safety issues.

Observing and participating in MRI procedures at the clinical level will reinforce theoretical concepts. Participation includes screening patients, patient setup, coil selection, preparation of contrast injections, use of the control console, and working as part of a team for the benefit of patients.  Students participate in clinical education under the direction and supervision of experienced MRI technologists.

WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES?

Radiologic technologists with background in radiography, diagnostic medical sonography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy are welcome to take the lecture course, Fundamentals of MRI. Whether taken in order to satisfy continuing education requirements or to explore magnetic resonance imaging as a possible career, this ten-week course will provide a thorough introduction to the physics of MRI.

In order to qualify for the clinical component of the Program, applicants must first complete the lecture course, Fundamentals of MRI, taken at Mercer County Community College. Completion of the clinical course should take place within 18 months of the lecture course in order to provide a meaningful and relevant correlation between theory and practice.  Applicants must also be certified in their respective imaging or therapeutic radiologic technology fields (ARRT, ARDMS or NMTCB) and have at least six months of verifiable work experience in their primary discipline at the time application is made.    All applicants must satisfy health requirements such as immunizations and TB testing and provide a history of any surgical procedures that could affect work around strong magnetic fields.  Due to limited enrollment capacity, applicants seeking to participate in the clinical phase will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis.  Fellowships are conducted twice per year.

WHO ARE THE FACULTY?

The course lecturer, Professor William R. Petrosky, M.P.A., R.T. (R)(CT)(MR)(QM), is coordinator of the MRI Clinical Fellowship Program.  The clinical supervisors/instructors are Mr. Peter Jablonka, R.T. (R)(MR) of Princeton Radiology Associates, and Ms. Donna J. Jones, R.T. (R)(MR) and Mr. Jerald Burozki, R.T. (R)(MR) of Hillsborough Radiology Associates.  Other clinical staff members also provide direction and supervision.

WHEN WILL THE NEXT LECTURE COURSE BE OFFERED?

The lecture course, Fundamentals of MRI, is offered in the fall semester. It is advertised in the non-credit bulletin published by the Center for Continuing Studies. Request the bulletin by calling (609) 586-9446. You can also request information about the next course by email.  Send your request to ComEd@mccc.edu.  The college also lists credit and non-credit courses at www.mccc.edu.

To find out if the MRI Clinical Fellowship is right for you, please call Professor Petrosky at 609.570.3341 to arrange a meeting.  If there is no answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. E-mail requests to arrange a meeting can also be made by writing to petroskw@mccc.edu