American College of Medical Technology
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| American College of Medical Technology | |
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| Established | 1974 |
| School type | College |
| Founder | Donald Harrison |
| President | Daniel Dorim Kim |
| Location | Gardena, California, USA |
| Homepage | www.acmt.ac |
The American College of Medical Technology is located in Gardena, California. It is a for-profit non-degree-granting occupational institution preparing mainly ethnic minority students for technical employment in the health care industry. As of 2005 there were 435 students enrolled.
The college was founded in 1974 as the American School of X-Ray by Donald Harrison. In July 1996, Daniel Dorim Kim purchased the school and changed the name to the American College of Medical Technology (ACMT).
[edit] Instruction and accreditation
ACMT offers courses four days per week, both in the daytime and the evening. They offer courses in MRI, X-Ray, Medical Laboratory Assisting, Medical Clinic Assisting, and Medical Office Management. The college obtained accreditation through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, [1] (but, as of March 2006, on probation [2] ) and California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. According the terms of its accreditation it is nondegree-granting institution.
[edit] Controversy
On March 1, 2005, the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce held hearings on "Enforcement of Federal Anti-Fraud Laws in For-Profit Education". During these hearings, Representative Maxine Waters cited ACMT as a "problem school in my district". She stated that students of the school "have not been given any hands on experience with the appropriate machinery for their field", "were given textbooks that covered different material than that for the course of instruction in which they enrolled", and "had instructors that were unable to answer the simplest of questions related to the material". She noted that at least two lawsuits had been filed by disgruntled students, and capped her statement with the opinion that the school's MRI program "does not meet the minimum completion/placement rules under California law". [3]
Kim uses the title "Dr" and the qualification "Ed. D." on the school's website and publicity, but fails to note that the doctorate is an honorary one from an unaccredited institution specialising in religious, not general or technical education.
The school claims that founder Donald Harrison was owner of American X-Ray Company. This should not be confused with the American X-Ray Corporation [4] whose founder and president is Leland Huffaker.On 10/06 more than one student complaint after finishing up the MRI program on not being able to find jobs due to the lack of information given to the student on the need of a more profound education to achive a certification by the AART to have a chance to find a job as an MRI Technician.
[edit] External links
The American College of Medical Technology was founded by Mr. Donald Harrison, former owner of the American X-Ray Company, as the American School of X-Ray in Gardena, California. In the early 1970’s, x-ray equipment was becoming more prevalent in medical offices and clinics. Mr. Harrison recognized the vital importance to public safety that operators and technicians be properly trained in the safe operation of x-ray equipment. He petitioned the California Department of Health and Human Services to be able to offer training programs in radiation protection, x-ray instrumentation and techniques of radiography. The State of California established minimum standards for such training and in September 1974, the American School of X-Ray, the first school for Limited X-Ray Technicians, began to enroll students in Gardena.
In July of 1996, Daniel Dorim Kim with Daniel Educational Inc. purchased the College and the name of the College was changed to American College of Medical Technology (ACMT). In 1998 the College relocated to a new campus and obtained accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. The College was also granted approval from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) to offer additional allied health programs.
The College strives to meet or exceed the expectation of its students and the requirements of all regulatory agencies to which it reports. Highlights of ACMT’s operation include:
ACMT has had zero findings for last six (6) consecutive years as reported in its Annual Financial Aid Audits submitted to the U.S. Department of Education. ACMT continues to exceed student placement rates as required by the DOE, ACCSCT and BPPVE in all programs. U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”) conducted a Program Review at the School on August 21 – 25, 2006. While the DOE has not issued a report yet, the College confirmed with the DOE that there are no findings on record for the College. Exh. 4, Declaration of R. Cranmer, p. 6 and Exh. 2, Declaration of B. Chavez, p. 4.. The School has had less than a three percent Cohort Default Rate for four (4) consecutive years. ACMT’s 90/10 ratio has never been more that 85/15. No findings have been issued by California Radiological Health Board (RHB) in audits it has conducted at ACMT over the past five (5) years. California Veterans Administration has never issued any findings against the College.
In addition to helping its students directly, the College works toward making contributions to the wider community. In February 2006 ACMT received a commendation from the County of Los Angeles for outstanding community service. In February 2005 the school received a certificate of appreciation from the City of Los Angeles which contains a proclamation from mayor James Hahn stating, “As mayor of the City of Los Angeles, I am pleased to recognize your outstanding efforts and accomplishments at American College of Medical Technology which have been of great benefit to the Korean-American community and to the greater Los Angeles community....”
