Any career path in the medical field will be an opportunity to earn a lot of money; the industry is at its all-time high. Becoming an MRI technician is becoming an increasingly popular career choice for those who are technologically savvy while also having an interest in the healthcare field. This career involves operating and setting up MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machinery to assist healthcare professionals with diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the health of their patients. They are also in charge of positioning the patients properly before the scan begins, which includes transporting them, and they also keep records of the results of the scans. With such important tasks to be responsible for, MRI technicians are compensated well.

On a national average, these technicians make between $50,000 and $60,000. Salary is highly dependent on where the facility that you are working in is located. Geographical regions that have a higher cost of living will of course provide a higher salary to compensate with the more expensive costs. The scarcity of these technicians will also drive the pay scale to be higher in order to attract people with more experience.

The more experience and education you have, the more you will earn in your career. Some states do not require licenses to operate the machinery, and in this case, those who have a license will earn more and will have more job opportunities than someone without a license. In addition, a technician who has a bachelor’s degree will earn more annually than a person who only has an associate’s degree, or no degree. Although having a degree is generally required for admittance in an MRI technology program, some people may be admitted if they have enough experience in the healthcare field.

If you just graduated or received your license, you will not be making nearly as much money as someone who has been in the field for several years. Chances are very high that your experience level straight out of the MRI technology program is paltry, and you’ll need to gain a lot of practice under your belt before earning above $60,000. The harder that you work, the higher your salary will become.

MRI technicians work in a field that is fast, exciting, and very rewarding. They work alongside healthcare professionals and operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines that take scans of the internal parts of patients’ bodies to help doctors find any anomalies with the results. The doctors use the results of the scans to diagnose, treat, and monitor the health of their patients. MRI technicians have the responsibilities of setting up the machine, positioning the patient, and keeping record of the results from several patients.

Degrees are Helpful

Becoming an MRI technician involves a lot of training and education. If you want to be a part of this exciting field, you must first have an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in radiography or related field. This provides you with basic background knowledge of the field. It will also help to have taken anatomy, biology, and/or chemistry courses as early as high school to learn more about the human body.

MRI Technology Program

If you have your degree, you can sign up to enroll in an MRI technology school. There are various online universities that offer this program, which is an extremely convenient way to take courses. Although the classes are offered online, you may have to participate in an internship to gain hands-on experience and see what it is like in the field. Most programs can last up to a year and a half, but taking online courses will give you the opportunity to get through the program faster at your own pace, which enables you to get into the job field faster. This program will allow for you to further expand your knowledge of the field in addition to preparing you for the licensure exam.

License

MRI technicians deal with radiation on a daily basis, which is very dangerous to be around that often. Due to this fact, most of the 50 states require technicians to be licensed before operating such hazardous machinery, in addition to requiring the license to be renewed every two years. To obtain the license, you’ll need to take a written exam which is comprised of topics such as physics, clinical applications and patient care. Passing the exam will provide you with a certified license, and then you can begin your career in this rewarding field.

Jobs are surfacing in almost every area within the medical field, especially in regards to MRI technicians. An MRI technician is responsible for capturing internal images of patients’ bodies and body parts by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. These scanners enable doctors to assess any abnormalities with the results of the scans, resulting in being able to diagnose and treat their patients. MRI technicians are responsible for positioning the patient properly while he or she is being scanned; selecting the correct software and adjusting the MRI machine; and keeping records of the scan results. These technicians have various important responsibilities, and therefore must acquire certain requirements before beginning their careers.

 Education

Education is the key factor to be an MRI technician. They need to apply to an MRI technology program before they can receive their licenses. Before being able to apply to the program, they will need to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a program such as radiography. With this degree, they will have basic knowledge of radiography, machines, and procedures.

MRI Technology Program

The MRI technology program will further their knowledge and preparation for their future careers. The license is obtained after the students pass a written exam after completing the MRI technology program. MRI technicians deal with dangerous radiation, so almost all of the 50 states require these technicians to be licensed and renewed every two years. It is important to be certified because most hospitals will only want to hire certified technicians who have the knowledge and the experience to operate the machinery properly.

Basic Skills

The skills that are required for this career are as important as the education. These technicians must be able to:

• Understand patient needs and be sensitive to them
• Attention to detail
• Stamina
• Physically strong in order to transport patients and move the MRI machine
• Work in a team environment