A record number of radiographers have registered for the 2018 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Course) offered by the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences (MITS).
The department opened their facilities in March to the 58 radiographers who have enrolled for the course this year.
The MRI course is a professional development course offered to qualified radiographers who wish to develop their knowledge and clinical skills in MRI. The first MRI course was offered by CPUT in 2005 and still remains the only postgraduate certificate course offered by a higher education institution in South Africa and Africa.
Upon completion of the MRI course, radiographers can register their qualification with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an additional qualification.
The MRI course is largely offered through distance education with academic contact sessions twice a year. This allows radiographers from all over South Africa and Africa to attend. The majority of radiographers this year are from South Africa with the rest from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi. Two of the radiographers travelled all the way from the UK and Ireland to attend the course. They will also complete their compulsory 600 clinical hours in the MRI department in these countries.
“MRI is an imaging modality with rapid technological development hence the course contents needs to be reviewed on an ongoing basis to remain current”, says Valdiela Daries, the MRI course convener and lecturer.
“We are fortunate to have the support of radiologists, engineers, application specialists and MRI radiographers who are always willing to share their expertise. Given the structure of the course, we will be using the Learning Management System as an adjunct for delivering the course”, explains Daries.
The MRI students are all permanently employed in either the public or private sector; some are fortunate to be funded by their respective employers. According to Aladdin Speelman, Head of the MITS Department. , the department remains committed to the continuous professional development of radiographers and to cater for the needs of industry.
