Qualities and Skills Required Obtained from MRI Programs

All MRI techs take MRI programs and pass ARRT or ARMRIT certification exams. What makes one MRI tech better and more qualified than another? It’s all about skills and mindset. We’re not saying that education isn’t important.

In any profession, there are always those who are better than others. It is rarely the case that those who are better at their jobs are so good because they are more knowledgeable or receive a better education. Almost all members of a profession have the same or at least very similar levels of knowledge.

You need to go through your courses and MRI programs to be competent at what you do. How far you rise, however, will be down to other important qualities.

As an MRI tech, interpersonal skills can make or break your career. One of the best aspects of the job is dealing with and interacting with patients. Many of these patients are getting an MRI for the first, and maybe only, time in their lives. They’re going to be understandably anxious and scared.

It’s your job to calm them down and explain the procedure to them. After they’re calmed down, they’ll be able to lay still, and the quality of images captured will be much higher and more useful. You’ll also need to ask them a few questions about their medical history.

Being detail-oriented is also highly desirable. Doctors send patients to get MRIs with some potential diagnoses in mind. Accordingly, the doctor will send instructions that you’ll need to follow to get the images to help him or her diagnose the patient. Not following instructions properly might lead to useless images, and the patient must redo the procedure.

Understanding how MRIs work and how to operate them is an essential part of the job. You will learn all about MRI through your programs and courses, and you’ll get better the longer you work as an MRI tech. MRI techs need to know how to calculate doses of contrast and other chemicals that might be needed during a scan. When performing these calculations, they should also consider a patient’s kidney or liver disease.

Finally, being physically fit is part of the job. Most MRI techs work full-time and spend most of their workdays on their feet. Helping lift and position patients who suffer from disabilities will also be required. You can have difficulty getting through the week if you’re not physically fit. Working on your stamina is always a good idea. Never neglect your physical well-being because you’re too busy studying and training to become an MRI tech.

There’s way more to becoming an MRI technician than courses and MRI programs. They’re undoubtedly important, but you must work on your interpersonal skills, fitness, and being detail-oriented. You can start preparing before starting your first job. These skills will certainly help you stand out among your peers.