Continuing Education for MRI Technologists, Radiologic Technologists, and other Medical Imaging Professionals.

6021-107 Maximizing Your Applications Visit

This online activity was recorded at the ARMRIT 2021: Semi-Annual Meeting, Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada Oct. 23 & 24

IMPORTANT NOTE:This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. A self-learning activity can be completed only once per biennium. If you attended the live ARMRIT 2021 WEST, Semi-Annual Meeting and received credit, you cannot receive credit for these recorded sessions.

Educational Objectives
1) Understand the definition of MRI Application Specialist in relation to the equipment.
2) Understanding what makes a good MRI Applications Specialist.
3) Preparing an MRI Applications Specialist for the MRI Field, the questions, and how to address them.

Outline

1. What does it mean to be an Applications Specialist?

   1. Applications Specialists help with USING the system.

   2. This it not repairing the system

   3. Someone who “fine-tunes” the USE of the system

      1. Sequences, parameters, coils, etc. 

2. Who can be an Applications Specialist?

   1. Most vendors require 5 years min of experience to apply.

   2. Must be certified by ARMRIT or ARRT (MR)

   3. May or may not be classically trained, but newer Apps Specialists are more likely to have an education in MRI.

   4. All Apps Specialists from each vendor have extensive training and resources in the USE of their systems. 

      1. This includes tweaks that work well for each system, commonly known issues, various ways of accomplishing similar outcomes, common scanning techniques at different sites, etc.

3. What are some of the strengths that nearly all Applications Specialists have?

   1. Know the software very well

   2. Know common scanning techniques on your system

   3. Know common parameter selections for various applications

   4. Have a very wide range of experiences with how different sites do different techniques

4. What are some preparations and mindsets that will help you get more from the visit?

   1. Checklists!

      1. Things that haven’t been working as expected

         1. Do not assume that something about your system is “just the way it is.” Most systems have a lot of personalization that can be performed. Assume it can be done, until the Applications Specialist tells you otherwise.

      2. Things that have been malfunctioning

         1. System crashes, missing calculations, etc.

      3. Preferred improvements to scanning protocols

         1. Consider anything that might be possible. The Apps Specialist can often find little-known workarounds for protocols to get what you want.

      4. Questions about pulse sequences, parameters, general MRI questions

         1. Keep in mind that most Applications Specialists are NOT MR Physicists, so they may or may not know the in-depth answers you are looking for, but it is worth asking!

   2. If you have any protocol, system, or software issues, identify as much about them as possible and have that ready for your Applications Specialist. 

      1. Vague descriptions of “issues” are always hard to figure out and more time is spent trying to figure out what the symptom is than trying to figure out a solution.

   3. Make sure your radiologist and any other clinically relevant personnel know when the visit is happening, and remind them prior to the visit.

      1. It is common that these important folks forget that the visit is coming up, and then are unavailable to get their concerns addressed. 

      2. Find out and list any specific concerns your radiologist(s) need addressed

         1. If you are not well-versed with these concerns, please get as much information from the radiologist as you can, or set a time when he/she can speak with the Applications Specialist directly.

   4. Perform a backup of your protocols before the Applications Specialist arrives.

      1. This is usually a standard procedure, but it is always best to be safe!

   5. Humble yourself!

      1. Your Applications Specialist can only help you if you’re willing to be helped.

      2. It isn’t a competition between you two of knowledge or experience, but rather an opportunity to learn some of what the manufacturer has taught them, as well as much of what they have learned from experience. 

      3. He/she will not think less of you if you are honest about not knowing something. It truly helps to be honest and up front!

   6. Ask questions!

      1. Some Apps Specialists may be talkative, but many may not be. They are used to teaching people, so don’t be afraid to ask them anything you think is pertinent. 

      2. You may have a “dumb question” but you’ll still be in the unknown until you ask. Frequently you’ll ask something they don’t know also, so you both can learn something then!

5. Some common obstacles to a helpful Applications visit:

   1. Patient schedule is too busy to allow teaching or protocol adjustments

   2. Techs being rigid around their own ideas.

   3. Radiologists being unavailable to address concerns

   4. Techs have not identified anything they need help with.

Continuing Education Credit
This program has been approved by the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA) for 1.00 hour ARRT Category A continuing education credit.

Certificates of Credit are accepted by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Tuition
ICPME accepts American Express, MasterCard, and Visa.

Tuition for this course includes unlimited access to the course and your Certificate of Credit.

Please note: tuition payments are non-refundable.

How to Enroll and Participate
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How to Receive Credit

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• Click the icons for POSTTEST and for EVALUATION.
• A passing grade of at least 75% is required to receive credit. You may take the test up to three times.
• Upon receipt of a passing grade, you will be able to print a certificate of credit from your account at icpme.us.

Your online account serves as a permanent record of credit certificates earned through icpme.us.

Questions?
Contact ICPME:
information@icpmed.com

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About the American Registry of
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
Because MRI is a Specialty

The mission of the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) is to recognize individuals qualified as specialists and to promote high standards of patient care and safety in the diagnostic medical imaging modality of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology including: interventional MRI, cardiovascular MRI, functional MRI, and MRI breast imaging.

ARMRIT is the first certifying organization to:
1.    Recognize MRI technology as a distinct medical imaging specialty utilizing non-ionizing radiation.
2.    Require MRI clinical experience and competency for eligibility.
3.    Promote formal MRI education with MRI clinical training.
4.    Recognize MRI schools that offer full-time educational program leading to a career in MRI.

Certification through the Registry is open to qualified technologists in all imaging fields who have documented MR clinical experience and/or formal education completed through schools dedicated to MRI technologists.

For more information about ARMRIT or to apply for certification, visit ARMRIT.org.

DISCLAIMER
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications and/or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.