Theoretical education and clinical training completed – Magnetic Resonance
1. The nature and content of the theoretical education completed. Examples of such courses and the content include:
- MR methodology and image analysis: protocol parameters, normal and abnormal tissue characteristics, TR, TI, TE and flip angle for image weightings, spatial encoding, scan phase and frequency encoding, pulse sequence design, imaging planes, image acquisition, spatial resolution and temporal resolution, pixel and voxel size, conventional and fast imaging with respect to tissue weighting, time, imaging artifacts, pulse sequence and physical principles of signal generation, time-of-flight and phase contrast imaging, kinematic, dynamic and cine imaging, scan time and image quality, image effects of changes of FOV, matrix, plane, slice thickness, skip and signal averages, intrinsic and extrinsic field inhomogeneities, imaging protocols, image identification and annotation, quality control and phantom scanning, advanced MRI (kinematic, cardiac, spectroscopy and functional imaging)
- MR physics and theory: magnetic fields, proton imaging and precession, oscillating fields and currents, resonance frequency, magnetic resonance signals, image formation, tissue contrast, RF pulses and pulse angles, spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation processes, prescan tuning, Larmor equation and its application
- MR instrumentation and operation: permanent magnets, superconducting magnets, low and high field magnets, open magnets, long bore, short bore, radiofrequency coils, magnet shimming, linear gradients, computer requirements, image enhancement filters, respiratory compensation devices, MR compatible monitoring devices, MR compatible support equipment, start-up and shutdown procedures for MR system and system components, troubleshooting and equipment, management/maintenance
- biological sciences: cross-sectional/multiplanar anatomy and physiology
- patient care, safety and professionalism: health care legislation, MR bioeffects, MR physical hazards and standards, patient screening and MR contraindications, patient safety, comfort, lifts and transfers, positioning, patient communication devices, aseptic technique and infection control, contrast injection, contrast media, sedation and monitoring, emergency procedures for MR, leadership in healthcare
Examples of courses and the content of the theoretical education completed during the prerequisite degree or diploma in medical radiation technology or diagnostic sonography include:
- biological sciences: anatomy, physiology, pathology
- radiation sciences: physics, mathematics
- imaging production, display and quality control: image acquisition, display, networking, archival and retrieval, image/data analysis, picture archiving communication system (PACS), digital manipulation, film processing, darkroom techniques, film storage, quality control
- patient care: administering contrast by injection, infection control, aseptic techniques, emergency response procedures, physiological monitoring, assessment of patient’ condition, responding to patient’s physical and psychological needs, contraindications, consent, post-procedural care
- behavioural sciences: written communication skills, records and reporting, interpersonal communication skills, health legislation and professional practice, health care systems and ethical issues, research methodology
2. The nature and content of the clinical training completed. Examples include:
- the names and types of facilities where the clinical training was completed
- whether the clinical training was supervised and the qualifications of the supervisor
- types of patients on whom procedures were performed during the clinical training: pediatric, geriatric, ambulatory, non-ambulatory, emergency, with chronic and acute illnesses, patients requiring monitoring, sedation and mechanical ventilation
- types of magnetic resonance imaging procedures completed during clinical training: head and neck, spinal, thorax, abdomen, pelvic, vascular, musculoskeletal, breast, and cardiac imaging and interventional procedures
- types of patient care procedures completed during clinical training: patient screening and contraindications, MR safety, administering contrast by injection, infection control, aseptic techniques, emergency response procedures, physiological monitoring, assessment of patient’s condition, responding to patient’s physical and psychological needs, assessment of contra-indications to the procedure, ensuring consent, and postprocedural care
