New ARMRIT victim

jalannom · Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 1

Hello I was just surfing online to look for any topics or discussions on radiologic technology and found this great site. I never knew there was such a great online community going on. I will be visiting this site often to see many interesting posts from other technologist. Let me introduce myself.

Yes.. I was a victim of the "scam" course called ARMRIT.
I took this course because the school told me it's the only thing
i will need in order to work at the hospitals/imaging centers.
But boy.. I was misinformed.
Well.. I will be taking the ARMRIT exam pretty soon (I don't want my money and time going to waste) but I have a few question.
Did I waste 2 years of my life? If I take the radiologic technology course and get the ARRT license, would this certificate help in anyway? My ultimate goal is to become a technologist who will be able to scan MRI's, CT's and X-rays (i also have the LIMITED x-ray license) that allows me to work without having limitations on where i can work and can not. Also, i've heard that theres actually a short cut for me to get a CRT license with my LIMITED x-ray license. Does anyone know the answer to these questions? Any answer would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

CTMRIGuy · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

jalannom:

I'm not very familiar with ARMRIT. Most of the MRI Techs I know seem to be Reg. w/ARRT. It seems most of the employers in the northeast want ARRT Reg and I'm NOT SURE if ARMRIT would be acceptable.

Try giving some potential employers a call and see what they are looking for.

You might also want to check out the ARRT website (www.arrt.org) or give them a call for more info. about both MRI and Radiology Cert. requirements.

Good Luck! Shocked

mrigirl25 · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 9

Yes, I feel your pain with ARMRIT. They are very misleading. MRI is one of the hardest modalities in my opinion. Anyone can run a scanner but there are a lot of physics involved. It is not just knowing how to push the buttons but to really understand what is making the image. I am taking the MIC MRI course for the registry review and hope to take the boards in June. The best way to go into MRI is to do on the job training (OJT) through a hospital or clinic. I did my two year AA and then went into the radiology program and took my ARRT boards. Most facilities now prefer ARRT RT at least. MRI usually within a year of employment.
A limited X-ray technician will allow you to work in orthopaedic clinics and do x-rays but you will not be paid the money that you would if you have your ARRT RT license. You cannot work in a hospital with your limited X-ray. Most places now require ARRT, RT if they don't it is just a reason not to pay you. I don't think that you wasted your money with ARMRIT if you gained experience with the course on the physics of MRI, I would suggest taking a two year radiography program and getting your boards, You will never go wrong with getting your RT. It will just be a path to do everything else, and then getting into a hospital or clinic to get OJT for MRI or CT, then you can have your employer, like mine pay for the MIC course (home study for MRI) or CT if you prefer and then take the boards. You will have to have a number of competencies before you sit for them. You probably don't have this with ARMRIT. But I don't know that. Yes very frustrating indeed. But if MRI is what you want to do, there are ways to get into it. Just keep trying and good luck. How much is the ARMRIT course anyway. I have heard that it is about 22,000. Is that true?