MRI Technician Salary, Education, and Career

Many people look forward to a long and happy career in the healthcare field as there are many job opportunities available and there seems to be no shortage of people who need the facilities found in healthcare. MRI technician opportunities are popping up everywhere as many physicians and patients have come to prefer the MRI machine as a method for diagnosing diseases. An MRI machine uses magnetism and radiowaves to produce images of the organs found in the body. The machine looks like a large cylindrical tube with a bed for the patient that can be pushed in and out. When the patient is inside, the magnets found in the machine work so that whatever structures the radiologist needs to see can be found in the computer screen.

MRI technicians are the people who operate the MRI machine. They need for highly competent technicians by the healthcare industry are still going strong. As healthcare is the obvious choice for people looking for job security, not everyone wants to work during the odd hours of the night that some healthcare opportunities require. MRI technicians enjoy the benefits of working during office hours with the occasional emergency on call.

MRI technicians need to be extremely patient when dealing with patients. Before the procedure, many patients have already been briefed by their physician about the MRI, but once the patients are inside the room, some of them have a tendency to panic and ask a lot of questions they weren’t able to ask their physicians. The MRI technologist needs to be careful in answering these questions and must use laymen’s terms so the patient is able to understand. Many patients suffer from claustrophobia or have fear of cramped spaces. The MRI technician can help by offering to provide music during the procedure or earplugs. They can also talk to the patient during the procedure so the patient doesn’t feel abandoned.

A holder of a high school diploma or equivalent can enroll in an MRI technician program. Some schools have additional requirements for students like having a certificate in CPR from the American Red Cross. You must have a good educational background in subjects related to science and mathematics the subjects you will tackle in school cover the complex concepts. In school, you will learn about the medical terminologies used in the MRI laboratory in addition to the theoretical concepts you will learn inside the classroom.

Many schools offer educational programs in order to earn a degree in MRI. A person can either go for a Bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It takes two years to complete an associate’s degree and four years to finish a
bachelor’s degree. Many opt to obtain a bachelors degree as the salary and the bonuses can be higher. Generally, the median MRI tech salary earned yearly is close to $50,000 dollars a year. When looking for a school, make sure that your school is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology so you are valid for obtaining your certification and licensure as an MRI technician.