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| | | MRI Forum: ARMRIT in California?
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James Benitez
Wed. 4 Jan.12,
00:40
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Does anybody know the general laws regarding ARMRIT techs and being employed in hospitals? I've noticed that most hospitals don't accept ARMRIT techs for some reason, but the Los Angeles County hospital now accepts the certification as a qualification when hiring for MRI technologists. I don't know if there's a law banning ARMRIT from private hospitals because if the county accepts it, then I'm assuming there isn't a law.
It's pretty frustrating to experience being rejected because you're not ARRT-- even if it's for an MRI position. I can understand if the job requires you work in different modalities other than MRI, but I'm assuming not all hospitals/imaging centers require their MRI techs to do more than MRIs.
I believe that ARMRIT techs are just as qualified to do MRI's as any other certification. ARMRIT techs are actually trained specifically for MRI. ARRT-only techs only need some on-the-job training. They're not required to pass any MRI exams (although they may get ARRT-MRI cert if they wish) or take MRI-specific classes. ARMRIT techs are. I would say that if you compare an ARMRIT tech vs. an ARRT tech who both just graduated and are ready to work, the ARMRIT tech is actually more qualified to do MRIs.
I'm not trying to discredit the non-MRI certified ARRT techs. I'm just trying to lay out the logical reasons why ARMRIT should not be dismissed to do MRIs. I do believe, however, that MRI should go the way of ultrasound, in that it should be considered separate from radiology in the sense that it doesn't use ionizing radiation. This use of totally different technologies and means of acquiring images should be recognized by the hospitals and imaging centers, and should not rule out ARMRIT because of the power of the ARRT lobby.
I believe the universal acceptance of ARMRIT as a respectable certifying body would help hospitals and imaging centers become more competitive and may be able to cut costs because ARMRIT techs may accept less pay just to get their foot in the door and work for a larger company.
If any of you has any information or suggestions on how to get ARMRIT accepted as a qualification to all MRI facilities, please let us all know.
Also, if anybody has any information on how Oregon, Ohio, or West Virginia allowed ARMRIT techs to be board certified, please include it here too.
Thanks!
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Michael Torres
Sun. 22 Jan.12,
10:08
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I was reading you thread and caught my attention, I am currently enrolled in a MRI school, and am very close to going to my extern which is going to be in los angeles, but now that I read you message I am very worried since I'm going to school I get armrit cert. I would like to k ow more about what you are talking about
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James Benitez
Sun. 22 Jan.12,
21:16
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Well first of all, it will probably be difficult to find a job regardless of which license/certification you have. There's just not too many positions available. Secondly, most hospitals that I've come across don't hire ARMRIT techs for some reason, so it will be hard to get work in a hospital. Some imaging facilities also only hire ARRT techs. It's not impossible to get a job especially of you're willing to relocate somewhere outside of Southern California. If you really want to work at a hospital here, you can try to convince whoever is in charge of hiring to consider the benefits of hiring an ARMRIT tech. I spoke with the president of ARMRIT, James Coffin, and he told me there are a few ARMRIT techs working at hospitals. If that's true then at least there's no laws banning ARMRIT from hospitals. It's just up to us to show them we're worth hiring.
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James Benitez
Tue. 24 Jan.12,
17:29
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Let me add that it's not impossible to get a job here. You may need to accept a per diem job or two to get your foot in the door and hopefully an opening arises. Just apply everywhere. Good luck.
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Philip Barr
Tue. 2 Oct.12,
23:09
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I wish you guys the best of luck..Got my MRI education in LA..Never found a job.they all want ARRT...ARMRIT is a big joke..I hope one day they shut down and stop taking peoples money
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Benjamin Timpauer
Thu. 4 Oct.12,
08:40
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Facts and performance do support the indisputable fact that ARMRIT professionals have a greater depth of study and assessment of their technique. ARRT techs are grounded in the modality involving radiation. Cross-training is never the same as dedicated didactic and hands on training with the longest externship vis-a-vis all other modalities...and that is ARMRIT.
California is recognizing ARMRIT. Maybe not at the rate it deserves, especially in hospitals. But it is progressing. ARRT has had a monopoly as a registry. Ultrasound was correct in setting up its own registry. ARMRIT is exercising that right as well; as well it should considering it is a non-ionizing modality to begin with. Several times I have come across ARRT techs who cross-trained for MRI and continually demonstrate "button-pushing", time-cutting habits. I have come across ARRT techs who are employed and doing CT work who are not even certified to do CT!!
The scope of ARRT is wide and the medical system is too privatized to monitor abuses of ARRT techs practicing as non-certified CT or MRI personnel under the umbrella of another certified employee. This is a major loophole that is absolutely doing a great disservice to patients and misrepresenting imaging professionals across the board.
And to those who have stated that ARMRIT is taking away jobs from ARRT.....well, if the qualifications fit the position, then what is the issue with the more qualified, better trained professional being offered the position?
Facilities are recognizing the value of an MRI professional with dedicated training. I was offered a staff technologist position before I even took my boards; the first time in this company's history to employ ARMRIT over ARRT.
During my first 3 months as an employed MRI technologist, I quickly recognized several inefficiencies within many existing protocols used daily at the facility for which I worked. I could not understand how for so long before I started work there, that these inaccurate and unrefined sequences could not have been addressed. Well, an ARRT tech, cross-trained in MRI wrote them.
No disrespect to ARRT. This is not a critique but an observation of the disparity of the domination of ARRT as a registry for modalities it should not have jurisdiction over.
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Steve Velasquez
Wed. 16 Jan.13,
19:02
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Becoming an armrit has been so far a bad choice. I'm going back for my ARRT that's the bottom line. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
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Brent Johnson
Mon. 28 Jan.13,
02:23
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Well I am currently training in ARMRIT at CNI Institute in Orange California. Unfortunately my experience in this school has not been the greatest. I will be starting my externship here in may 2013 I hope the clinic I will be placed in picks me up. I have a plan to goto Texas after school is done. I hope this cert is recognized there or is will be 30k wasted and one large bill to pay for nothing.
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Glenn wathern
Wed. 9 Oct.13,
16:47
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If one looks into the two, ARRT and ARMRIT, one will find ARRT approved schools are generally associated with four year colleges and ARMRIT schools are generally associated vocational medical colleges. As for the ability to cross train or get both certifications that is really not a reality. I talked to a person at ARRT and was told in order to become certified by them a MRI tec must have attended an ARRT approved school. Twenty years of MRI experience wouldn't get you in the door, her words. And like wise ARMRIT certification is earned from attending an ARMRIT approved school. For those who can not find a job, I would be curious as to how far they were willing to go to find work. I would also question his or her employability. Some people want to be singers, some want to be actors. If one doesn't posses the characteristics an employer is looking for then he or she will not get hired. Those being the communication, and interpersonal skills needed to fit in to the work place. Posting pictures in yellow and black face and using derogatory terms to describe organizations doesn't bode well for ones character. I have found the starting pay is about the same. Possessing a four year degree seems to be the only way to get the supervisor and head of department jobs, which do pay more obviously. Obtaining a degree on line or by attending a school while working can fix the problem of apparent income disparity. There are jobs out there if a person is willing to relocate and for his or her chosen profession. Jobs are not always going to be available where you are planted. Be willing to move for a job and look at the experience as an adventure and a new chapter in your life.
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Ken Bellone
Thu. 7 Jun.18,
19:52
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Im not a fan of anyone being overly critical of one or the other. Personally, I'm an ARRT tech certified in R and MR. I know Jim Coffin was trying to get AMRIT off the griound decades ago, and i thought "no way is this joker going to get this to fly ". That's not to say that Jim is a joker, but I knew he was one guy fighting a monopoly.
Let me say that he's done a hell of a job. He's gained more traction than I ever expected. I've known a bunch of his techs here in NY and I have a pretty positive view of them. I presently work with one and he's one of the best techs I've worked with. I'd let him scan my own wife.
On the other hand, I've been the manager of outpatient MRI at a major medical center and I wouldn't let most of the techs scan my cat.
I don't think you NEED to have a radiography background to be a good MRI Tech, but the experience from a clinical perspective has made me a far more well rounded technologist, but that's just me. I would have hired a qualified AMRIT tech, but my hospital didn't allow it. FWIW, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, one of the country's premier cancer center will hire AMRIT techs.
Ultimately, it's the individual doing the scan that makes the difference. I do think ARRT Rad Techs doing MR should get certified within a fixed period of time.....ie 6 mos-1 year. I have witnessed while lot of "button pushers".
My personal above to anyone considering a career in the field, I would go the RT route, as it is more widely accepted AND what is missed in the discussion is that you are a lot more marketable because you have the opportunity to learn and perform other modalities. There's a caveat. If AMRIT is legal in your state and they're hiring, I wouldn't hesitate to go that route. I just think that ARRT affords you more options.
Both have good and bad techs
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