Being an MRI Technician is a great career option in the medical field. It is also a growing field with great job opportunities and lucrative salaries. Are you interested in MRI Certification or MRI training? Keep reading to learn about the requirements to become an MRI technologist.
What Does an MRI Technologist Do?
MRIs, also known as magnetic resonance imaging, is the most advanced diagnostic imaging technique nowadays. MRI Technologists are responsible for running the MRI scanners and producing diagnostic images. These images will be read by a Radiologist (Doctor) to provide a diagnosis (find the cause of a disease). Some MRI studies will require the application (injection) of contrast media to help diagnose the pathologies.
MRI is a field that uses advanced technology and science to help diagnose issues within patients. MRI jobs are perfect for people who want to work with patients and like to use technology.
How to Become an MRI Technologist
Becoming an MRI technologist is typically not a long process. However, it does require licensing, certifications, and other types of experience. Here is more information about the process needed to become an MRI technologist.
Education Requirements
Most people who are applying to become an MRI technologist need to have an associate degree. This isn’t required in every program, but it is generally necessary. While it isn’t required, having a bachelor’s degree can help open doors in the future for MRI techs.
Other types of education requirements include clinical work and other certificates. These teach students the skills needed to be an MRI technologist. It is helpful to take classes that focus on science and math. These will prepare you for your MRI certification. If you want to learn more about the preliminary steps to becoming an MRI technologist, Med College can help!
Enroll In a Specialized School
After you get your high school or college degree, you will need to find a program for MRI training. There are several MRI programs in the United States, so you need to do your research and learn about the schools that you would like to attend.
Before deciding on a program, you want to make sure that it is an accredited and reputable program. This will ensure that you have more specialized classes and a better hands-on experience. This will prepare you for the workforce and will make it easier to find good jobs.
When you apply to programs, you can decide whether you want to earn a diploma, certificate, or degree in MRI.
Some programs, like the ones available at Med College, offer each of these different programs. These different programs have different requirements and courses. They also have their own licensing requirements.
As long as you do your research and learn what you want to get out of your program, you can find one that works for you.
How Long Do Programs Last?
The duration of the programs depends on your prior education and/or experience in the medical diagnostic field. It can be as long as two years or as short as six months.
Typical Course Outlines
In your program, you will need to learn all of the essential skills required to be an MRI technologist.
Some necessary skills for technologists are technical skills that you will use to run the MRI scanners and produce images, attention to detail, and understanding of how the human body will respond to electromagnetism. You should also learn to be personable and kind as you interact with patients, and you need good communication skills!
While these seem like easy things to learn, you need to practice and perfect these skills to be good at your job. The technical skills required to run an MRI scanner can be difficult to understand. You must learn how to run these complex machines!
If you want to know the courses required in your program, you can find your program curriculum on the website of your school. Students can expect to take intro-level medical classes in the program for Med College, like medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient care fundamentals. They also will take other classes that will teach advanced techniques and clinical applications for MRI technologists.
Licensing and Certifications
Requirements for MRI technologist licensing and certifications will vary depending on which state you live in. To become a certified MRI technologist, you need to graduate from an accredited MRI technologist program.
Florida also either requires students to pass an exam to become certified as an MRI technologist or will allow for certification by endorsement. While certifications are not always required, many potential employers may prefer that you become certified in one or multiple specialties.
There are two certifications to become a certified MRI tech. These are the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging technologists, also known as AMRIT.
If you want to learn more about the licensing and certification requirements in your state, you can contact your state health board. If you are enrolling in a program in Florida, you can find the state health board here.
Enter the Field with Experience
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for your career as an MRI technologist is to gain experience in the field. While it may seem hard to find opportunities, you can gain hands-on experience to make it easier to transition into the workforce.
Most programs for MRI technologists offer hands-on experience through internships, labs, and other types of clinical workshops. However, you can also look for work experience at hospitals and urgent care, imaging centers, doctors’ offices, and more.
Many programs, like Med College, also offer clinical externships in your field! See how a member of their team can help you find applicable experience!
Find an MRI Program Today!
To enroll in a program, Med College can help! We offer associate of science degree and diploma programs in MRI technologists as well as Radiology Technologists. Contact us today to learn more about our programs, the classes we offer, and the admissions process!