Do you want to be a member of the healthcare team and care for patients? Joining an MRI tech school and becoming an MRI technologist is one of the best ways to achieve your dream. Doctors are always faced with the issue of not being able to see inside the body of patients. When x-rays were discovered, doctors were capable of seeing the patient’s bones and teeth.
While x-rays are great at showing those particular body parts, they don’t show much else. You can use x-rays to see the chest and the intestines if you add contrast, but the images aren’t very accurate. CT scans were then invented, and they allowed doctors to see more. The MRI, however, is the latest in medical innovation and is best way of seeing different organs of the body. An MRI tech school graduate in the form of an MRI tech is needed to operate MRI machines.
How to Join an MRI Tech School
If you’re joining an MRI tech school fresh out of high school, you’ll need to prepare. First, you should choose classes in school related to an MRI course, like biology and physics. Your overall GPA will matter, making you a more competitive applicant.
MRI tech schools get plenty of applicants each year, and only a limited number of slots are available. The more you do to make yourself qualified, the higher your chance of getting a spot. Taking a first aid course will help show your interest in the medical field. Additionally, you can volunteer in hospitals and in your community.
There are different types of programs and paths to becoming an MRI tech. You can apply for an MRI Technology Associate Degree, but this requires an associate degree in radiologic technology. You can also apply for a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging, which takes about 4 years.
After doing all those and having your degree, you’ll need to be certified before you can start applying for work. There are two ways of getting certified. You can become ARRT-certified or ARMRIT-certified. Most employers prefer ARRT certification. You’ll need to take an exam and pass it. Before taking the ARRT exam, you’ll need to join a 1 to 2-year MRI program.
You can take the test three times during a three-year period. If you fail the first time, you’ll still have 2 more chances to take it during that period. After you pass, you can start looking for jobs as a licensed MRI technician. MRI technologists are in demand, and you will find jobs in hospitals and radiology centers.
Take some time before deciding on an MRI tech school. You need to attend an MRI tech school that offers hands-on clinical training. At Pulse Radiology, most of our work is online, but we allow students to get hands-on experience. We will also help you find and secure a job. Get in touch with us to find out more.
Additional Information Related to MRI Program