A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologist is an allied health professional who operates specialized MRI equipment to capture 3D images inside the body. Technologists view the images to ensure they are of good quality. They may administer an intravenous contrast medium to the patient. The contrast medium enters the blood stream and enhances the quality of the MRI images. MRI technologists provide a highly technical and medically necessary service. They interview patients to determine if there are any contraindications for an MRI such as pregnancy, tattoos, any metal objects implanted in the body, and more. The MRI exam requires patients to lie on a gurney and be rolled inside a tube, where they must lie very still while the machine takes its pictures. Technologists explain the procedure to patients and determines if they have any claustrophobic issues that may prevent them from undergoing the exam. The technologist positions the patients on the examining table and make sure they are comfortable. The technologist enters important data into the computer, such as the patient’s relevant medical history and the anatomical area that will be scanned. An MRI is a non-invasive way for a physician to view what is going on inside the body.

If you’re ready to meet the increasing demand for skilled medical assisting professionals, Casa Loma College is here for you. Enroll in our Medical Assistant certificate program and be on your way to a new career in as little as 32 weeks. At Casa Loma, we’re here for our students, from enrollment to graduation and beyond. After students graduate from the Medical Assistant Program, our career services team will help you develop interview skills and search for a position in the field so you can start strong with a local employer.

An Associate of Science degree in HealthCare, like the one we offer at Casa Loma, is designed for allied health professionals who want to open up new career opportunities through education and position themselves as a future manager and leader in the healthcare industry. This 30-credit, 40-week degree completion program was developed to pair with current or previous healthcare certifications or diplomas to help you develop a broader foundation in the professional, fundamental skills you need to improve yourself and your future. Hone your critical thinking, reflection, and facilitation and gain greater confidence in managing changes; making decisions; and interacting with staff, colleagues, and patients in a variety of medical settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and other healthcare facilities.

Medical Radiography — also often referred to as radiology — is a broad term within the health care field that encompasses several different types of diagnostic imaging techniques that utilize ionizing and non-ionizing radiation to view inside the human body. Most often you’ll think of it as synonymous with X-rays, also known as projectional radiography. Other medical radiography procedures include computed tomography (CT) scans, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, fluoroscopy, and more. Radiography is used to assess and diagnose issues all over the body: A hard-tissue X-ray can be used to look at bone fractures, bone conditions like osteoarthritis or osteosarcoma, and growth studies. Soft-tissue X-rays can be used to look for tell-tale “shadows” in the lungs, heart, bowl, neck and skull. CT scans are a vital tool used for detecting strokes, tumors, edemas, emphysema, coronary artery disease, Crohn’s and other abdominal diseases, and more. DEXA scans are a key tool in studying bone density. Radiography technologists are trained in the safe operation of all these types of diagnostic equipment, responsible for adjusting and maintaining the machines, preparing patients for the procedure, ensuring that the correct areas of the body have been imaged clearly, updating their findings in the patient’s records, and coordinating with physicians and other members of the health care team in assessment and diagnosis.

The 32-week Medical Assistant certificate program is a blended learning program that covers general education, medical-focused topics, and clinical practicum by utilizing a combination of online and in-person classes. Students get practical experience through lab work, as well as in a wide variety of healthcare settings through externships, and it’s all completed in under a year. The program is built around the standards of the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to sit for their Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), and Certified Electrocardiography Technician (CET) credentials.