Only selected health practitioners can enroll in an MRI tech school. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and MRI technologists are health professionals who are well-trained in preparing and positioning patients for an MRI procedure. They gather diagnostic images of the organs inside the patient’s body using the MRI scanner.
Although most of the MRI technician’s work is concentrated on operating the MRI machine, it is also their job to speak to patients and ensure they’re comfortable with the procedure. They should also take useful 3D images so physicians and radiologists can use them to correctly diagnose the patient’s illness.
What to Know Before Applying to an MRI Tech School
While an MRI technologist’s career path and salary package are very promising, not everyone can become an MRI technician. Each online MRI tech school imposes minimum enrollment requirements that every aspiring student needs to meet. Some schools require an associate’s degree in a related radiology course.
If the training slots are rather limited and the school is forced to choose only a handful of students from many applicants, then they will pick those with more biology, physics, and chemistry units. They may also prefer students with first aid and CPR training and those who are very involved in the health outreach programs in their communities.
How to Become a Certified MRI Tech
Each MRI tech program may be different, so it’s very important that you choose an MRI tech school that is accredited by the ARRT. There are programs that are designed for students who merely hold a GED or high school diploma, and this type of program could take anywhere from three to five years. Those with an associate’s degree in a different field may spend two to three years learning MRI. But, those who already hold a license with the ARRT as a radiologist or a similar profession most likely need only a year of training to become an MRI technologist.
However, completing the MRI tech program won’t automatically make you a certified MRI technologist. You also have to undergo clinical training, which is a requirement of the ARRT, to give you a seat on the MRI certification exam. Once you have completed all the required educational credits and logged in the minimum clinical training hours, you’ll be eligible to take the certification exam to eventually become a licensed MRI technologist.
How to Choose an MRI Tech School
The attractive salary package and positive outlook of MRI technicians are reasons many individuals are interested in becoming one. Their journey starts with choosing the right program that suits their qualifications.
If you want to be an MRI technologist, then you have to choose an MRI tech school that’s right for you. Always check the minimum requirements of the school to see if you qualify. Otherwise, you must first get a degree in radiology to be a certified MRI technician.
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