Graduates in the first MS in Imaging Sciences cohort accept jobs at Duke University Hospital to work as MRI technologists

Two graduates in the first class of the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program will be moving to North Carolina in September to work at Duke University Hospital.

Andrew Arce and James Plata have accepted jobs as full-time Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologists and are participating in a specialized training program through medical technology company Siemens Healthineers. 

“The end goal is to become fluent in their applications, their software and be able to go on as an ‘application specialist,’ working with other medical imaging professionals, training them on the equipment and trying to develop the next generation of software and try to adjust it for what the doctors and clinicians need,” Arce said of the company’s training program. 

Plata reflected on all that he learned in the Imaging Sciences program that led to his current opportunity. The program provides eligibility for three national certifications by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in radiography, computed tomography (CT) and MRI.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Plata said. “Two years ago, around this time we were just about to start the program. I remember sitting that first day and hearing the layout of the program and thinking, ‘Can I actually do this?’ It is pretty accelerated. We completed the X-ray portion in one year, and then we did CT and MRI after that.”

Plata is looking forward to growing into his role to become a trusted collaborator among colleagues.

“I know that the Duke main hospital is huge, so I am going to get tons of experience there, and I am very excited to experience that and find my place in the team and hopefully over time become someone that people can rely on or come to for anything,” Plata said. “That is my goal as an MRI technologist.”

Arce and Plata were recruited by Siemens Healthineers through the program, said Tomio Calhoun, MLS, RT(R)(CT)(ARRT), CNMT, assistant professor and director of clinical education for the Imaging Sciences program. 

“They are going to get individualized and specialized training on Siemens products before they go to their employer,” Calhoun said. “This is a possibility when you come here.”

The program projects 100% employment of his students within 60 days of graduation, he added. In fact, most students in the first cohort were working as technologists while in the program, starting as technologist assistants once they finished the radiography portion of the program in their first year.