Suggested Meta Description
There are different MRI programs for continuing education that can lead to better technologists. Learn the importance of MRI safety and more here.
Targeted Keywords
mri programs
Images
Body
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Services (BLS) predicts that employment in the field of radiology and medical resonance imaging (MRI) technology will grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030.
MRI imaging plays a critical part in the healthcare industry. These technologists and radiologists work in a variety of different settings including hospitals, clinics, and trauma centers. Their expertise is required to help determine a patient’s diagnosis, as well as their course of treatment.
If you’re a professional in this sector, there are many types of MRI programs for continuing education that you can pursue as you build your career. Today, we’re taking a look at why these programs are important and how to get started as soon as possible.
MRI Certification Programs to Know
There are two primary certifications that MRI technologists can pursue. These include:
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT®) certification
- American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists® (ARMRIT®) certification
Both of these programs are designed to recognize qualified specialists, as well as promote high standards of patient care and safety. They apply to a range of MRI technologies and focus areas, including:
- Cardiovascular MRI
- Interventional MRI
- Functional MRI
In addition, each certification has its own educational pathway that professionals will need to pursue to earn their credentials. Once you’ve completed this pathway and achieved certification, it can open new doors for your career and allow you to expand your patient reach.
However, these initial certifications do not last forever. To maintain them, you will need to complete a requisite number of continuing education (CE) hours, among other requirements. Let’s take a look at how these programs work.
MRI Programs for Continuing Education
Once you’ve achieved your ARRT® or ARMRIT® certification, it’s important to know your next steps. First and foremost, you’ll need to remain compliant with each program’s rules and regulations, as well as its established standards of ethics. In addition, each program has its own process to maintain your credentials.
Here are the steps to know, and how CE factors into them.
Maintaining Your ARRT® Certification
To keep your ARRT® certification, you will need to perform the following steps:
- Complete the annual renewal process
- Complete continuing education activities every two years (and report your completion)
- Complete ARRT® Continuing Qualifications Requirements every 10 years
Note that the Continuing Qualifications Requirements only apply to MRI professionals who earned their ARRT® credentials on or after January 1, 2011. In terms of CE credits, you will need 24 credits of approved CE activities every two years.
If you’ve earned your Registered Radiology Assistant® (R.R.A.®) certification, then you will need to complete 50 credits of CE every two years. Additionally, anyone certified as an R.T. in Sonography will need to ensure that 16 of their 24 credits relate directly to their discipline.
ARRT®: Category A and A+ Activities
ARRT® accepts two forms of CE activities: Category A and Category A+.
Category A activities include:
- Any course approved by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM) or RCEEM+
- Certain state-permitted CE activities
For an activity to be classified as A+, an RCEEM+ must approve it. MRI programs and online classes, can be taken a few ways, including:
- Self-study readings
- Seminar lectures
- Classroom learning
Maintaining Your ARMRIT® Certification
Once you’re certified, you’ll need to do the following every three years to maintain your ARMRIT® certification:
- Complete 24 credit hours CME credits in MRI technology (and provide evidence)
- Complete the online ARMRIT® certification renewal form
Benefits of Completing CE Courses
You’re a busy healthcare professional, with plenty of opportunities to hone your craft as you work in the field. Why, then, are you required to complete a certain number of CE courses to maintain your industry credentials?
There are a few reasons that certifying bodies like ARRT® and ARMRIT® require these programs. Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits you’ll reap from attending them.
Maintain Your Credentials
As we’ve mentioned, CE courses are required if you want to keep your ARRT® or ARMRIT® certifications. These are valuable achievements that can unlock new professional opportunities and network connections.
Failing to attend these courses could mean losing your hard-earned credentials and having to retake boards, which could set back your progress.
Stay Up-to-Date on New and Emerging Technologies
One of the main reasons to attend MRI continuing education is to ensure you’re always working with the latest knowledge in your field. There have been many recent advances in imaging technology.
If you based your entire practice on the knowledge you gleaned in your original studies, then there’s a good chance that some of that data would eventually become outdated. By attending refresher courses, that is MRI continuing education, every two years you can rest assured that you’re up-to-date on the most current best practices.
Expand Your Professional Reach
As you achieve and maintain your professional MRI certifications, you send a clear message to everyone in your industry. These credentials show that you’re dedicated to your craft and up-to-date in your field.
In some cases, they can even help you grow your income and allow you to advance into different roles. The skills you learn through these courses will make you an invaluable employee and can open doors to better job opportunities in the future.
Learn More About Our MRI Programs Today
Are you an imaging professional looking to build your career and maintain your professional certifications? If so, then it’s important to pursue approved MRI courses that can help you meet your CE goals.
At SCRUBS Continuing Education, our MRI programs are approved for ARRT® Category A and A+ credits. In addition, select courses are also accepted by ARMRIT®, as well as other programs including Cardiovascular Credentialing International® (CCI®).
Contact us today to learn more about any course and find the solution to your continuing education requirements.
Recent Comments