Are you in the search for an out-of-state training institute that is focused on the medical field? This is the place for you!

Aquarius Institute is a vocational school accredited by the ARMRIT, located in Des Plaines, Illinois. The Institute was founded in Chicago in 1996, and began business providing Computer Information Systems (CIS) training, as well as training in high demand software and hardware. In 2005, the school expanded and started providing training in the Allied Medical Health Care field. Today, the institute offers training programs for those interested in being MRI technologists, ultrasound/sonography technicians, and licensed practitioner nurses (LPN). Additionally, they offer training to be a medical assistant and EKG technician, as well as in phlebotomy and medical billing & coding. For more information, visit: www.aquariusinstitute.com/.

As a critical part of their style of teaching, Aquarius Institute provides actual job skills training so students can gain experience. They have classroom lectures with live demonstrations of job skills, as well as individual hands on practice lab sessions. Students here are required to complete several hundred hours of clinical internship at their affiliated medical diagnostic imaging facilities.

The process of admission at Aquarius Institute begins with filling out a Request for Information form, which can be found on their website. You will include basic information about yourself, as well as the training program you are interested in and your highest level of education.  Shortly after you have submitted the form, you will be contacted by an adviser who will help and guide you through the admissions process. Aquarius Institute starts new classes in four sessions per year: summer session in July, fall session in September, winter session in January, and spring session in March/April. Something important to note is that their class sizes are very small, averaging around 20 students.

The general requirement for admission include: at least 18 years of age, proof of graduation from a U.S. high school or equivalent (with a local evaluation for those graduating from foreign school), an official high school transcript with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher, and a personal interview with the job developer.

Some programs offered at Aquarius Institute have additional steps. For example, the LPN program requires passing the pre-admission examination given by the institute with a 90% or better. The MRI technologist program and ultrasound technician program additionally require a current resume, if applicable and having knowledge on computers, such as being able to use word processing programs.

Keep in mind there are many additional requirements to be met, like health requirements, all which you can have access to on their website linked above.

As a final note, the average cost of a program here at Aquarius Institute ranges from $12,500 to $20,000. However, there is financial support offered, such as grants specifically for those who are unemployed, underemployed, or who have a low income.