MRI Technician
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MRI Technicians use equipment that creates a combination of magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the body. MRI's provide the best possible imaging technique for soft tissues and certain organs because of the dimension and contrast that is produced with the technology. While standard x-ray's produce only images of bone, MRI's can produce a much more detailed, 3-D image to view blood vessels, bones, and other internal organs.
MRI technicians have the important job of seeking out tumors, blocked blood vessels and arteries, and other life threatening problems. Use our resources to learn more about MRI technician salary, schools, certification, and more. Your future as an MRI technician starts here.
Find MRI Schools
Browse our full list of radiology schools offering MRI programs, search by radiology degree programs or search schools by state to find one near you. Use our directory to request free information.
MRI Technician Job Description
MRI technician jobs require a thorough understanding of the equipment as well as patience and compassion for their patients. During school, you will learn how to use the technology including settings such as the proper voltage and desired exposure times. Almost all MRI job descriptions highlight the need for individuals who have a high level of knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy such as the head, thorax, and abdomen. Also, as an MRI Tech, you are responsible for enforcing magnetic field safety and ensuring the best possible comfort of the patient without comprimising safety or image quality.
MRI's are notorious for bringing on anxiety and claustrophobia in patients. Your ability to keep patients at ease before, during, and after the procedure is of great importance and is the sign of a true professional. If the equipment allows, you may want to tell your patient to bring some soothing music to listen to during the procedure to take their mind away from any fear they may experience.
Here is a sample of a typical bulleted MRI job description:
- Preparing the patient for the procedure. During an MRI, the patient will need to remain still inside a narrow opening. Compassion and understanding of claustrophobia is a must in this job.
- Must be able to use the equipment to obtain an image of the specific area that the physician has ordered.
- Recording the images for viewing by the physician using patient logs; Be familiar with MRI coding systems
- Responsible for enforcing safety precautions at all times.
- Using knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to help the physician diagnose problems.
- Must be able to work with others in the unit and assist with patient scheduling, follow-up, and to act as a liason with referring physicans.
The above list is by no means exhaustive of what an MRI Technician does; however, these are bullet responsibilites and requirements that are commonly listed in an MRI Tech job description.
How To Become an MRI Technician
Becoming an MRI Technician starts with a basic education in radiology. Most individuals who want to become a MRI technician, start by obtaining an associates degree as a radiologic technologist. Many schools offer additional certificate programs to specialize as an MRI technician. In addition to the school curriculum, most programs include training in real life situations with an experienced MRI technician. Another common path to becoming an MRI tech, is to start gaining experience as an x-ray technician, then go on to specialize as an MRI technician.
A Typical One Year MRI Certificate Curriculum
MRI certificates generally take nine months to a year, depending on the school you are attending. The following is a typical set of courses you could expect to take during the MRI program:
- Sectional Anatomy
- Introduction to Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Physics & Instrumentation in MRI
- MRI Imaging Procedures
- MRI Pathology & Case Studies
- Advanced Procedures & Technology in MRI
- MRI Registry Review
- Clinical Series in MRI
MRI Technician Salary
MRI technicians made $61,928 on average in 2007 according to the American Medical Association. Visit our MRI Technician Salary page to get a detailed look at salaries for MRI Tech's including the average salary in major metropolitan areas. You can also see how the salary for MRI Tech's compares to other radiology professions as well as other jobs in allied health.
About MRI Technology
The benefit of using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology) is that it allows physicians to better evaluate diseases that sometimes are not adequately assessed using other imaging methods such as ultrasound, x-ray, and computed tomography (also called CT or CAT scanning). Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions using powerful magnetic fields, radio frequency pulses, and a computer to produce more detailed pictures of the soft tissue, organs, bones, and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed, or copied to a CD.
Another benefit of MRI technology, is that it does not use ionizing radiation (x rays); even though the amount of ionizing radiation used in x-ray technology is minimal and unharmful, this is often viewed as a benefit of the technology, if only to alleviate any concerns of patients.
Common Uses of MRI Technology
Some of the common uses for MR imaging are to evaluate organs of the chest and abdomen-including the heart, liver,billary tract, kidney, spleen, and pancreas and adrenal glands. Pelvic organs including the reproductive organs in the male (prostate and testcles) and the female (uterus, cervix and ovaries). Also blood vessels (MR Angiography) and the breasts.
There are also many other uses to help the physician diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions such as:
1. Tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis.
2. Certain types of heart conditions.
3. Dieases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, and that of other abdominal organs, including the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreatic ducts
4. Blockages or enlargements of blood vessesls, including the aorta, renal arteries, and arteries in the legs.
5. Cysts and solid tumors in the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract as well as breast cancer and implants.
6. Causes of pelvic pain in women, such as fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis.
7. Tumors and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs (E.G., uterus, ovaries, testicles, prostate).
8. Suspected uterine congenital abnormalitynomalies in women undergoing evaluation for infertility.
The uses of MRI imaging are many and of great importance and comfort to physicians who want to accurately diagnose.
Radiology Programs:
Concorde
Campus Locations:
AuroraGet your career started with Concorde Career College. Our training programs are short, affordable, and hands-on. We offer training programs in medical assisting, dental assisting, insurance coding, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, vocational/practical nursing, patient care, and more.
Programs offered:
Sanford-Brown College
Campus Locations:
ClevelandGet the skills you need in Tech, Business, or Healthcare in as little as 9 months from Sanford-Brown College. Choose from convenient day, evening, and weekend classes. Learn more today.
Programs offered:
Kaplan College - KHE
Campus Locations:
VistaDon't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
Programs offered:
Keiser University Campus
Campus Locations:
Fort LauderdaleKeiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.
St. Joseph's College of Maine
Campus Locations:
StandishMany adult learners are enrolled in courses worldwide and are active in distance learning courses at Saint Joseph's College and are in enrolled in programs such as business, education, health care administration, general studies, nursing, and theology.
Programs offered:
Fortis Institute
Campus Locations:
Baton RougeLooking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.
Programs offered:
Lincoln Technical Institute
Campus Locations:
Saint PetersburgLincoln Technical Institute provides career-focused, hands-on training programs with industry experienced instructors. Get the skills for a rewarding in-demand career.
For more student consumer information, please visit www.lincolnedu.com/lincolnconsumerinfo
Programs offered:
Anthem College
Campus Locations:
AuroraGet the hands-on training you need to enter the exciting health care or criminal justice fields at Anthem College. Learn from our outstanding professional faculty in a hands-on, real-world environment. We offer financial aid for those who qualify, outstanding student services, placement assistance for graduates, and more.
MedVance Institute
Campus Locations:
Lake WorthAdvance your health care career with MedVance Institute. We offer programs in various areas of the health care field and students can graduate in as little as a year.
"For consumer information: http://www.medvanceedu.info/"
Programs offered:
California College San Diego
Campus Locations:
San MarcosCalifornia College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.
Carrington College
Campus Locations:
PhoenixCarrington College has helped over 45,000 graduates realize their dream of a career in healthcare. Now it's your turn. Choose from eleven conveniently located campuses.
Programs offered:
Argosy University
Campus Locations:
Saint PaulAt Argosy University we prepare individuals for careers that make a difference, whether in business, education, or psychology. Learn how you can make a difference in your life, and the lives of others.
Programs offered:
American Institute - Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Campus Locations:
West HartfordAdvance your career with American Institute - Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Our program can be completed in as little as 16 months. We offer program specializations in general or cardiac sonography, both of which include vascular ultrasound training.
Programs offered:
Sanford-Brown Institute
Campus Locations:
TampaGet everything you need for the medical career you want. Sanford-Brown Institute's advanced programs allow you to complete your certificate or degree program in as little as 9 months. Learn more today.
Programs offered:
ATI Career Training Center
Campus Locations:
MiamiATI has over 35 years of experience helping working adults like you get hands-on career training. Quality programs are offered in healthcare, automotive and electronics.
Programs offered:
