Healthcare professionals who work with MRI machines must have the proper training.
Healthcare professionals who work with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines must have the proper training, certification and licensure to do so. According to the MRI Institute and Consulting, Inc., an MRI technologist earns between $40,000 and $60,000 a year, as of 2010. MRI machine training, however, does require a bit of planning and work.
High School
If you are interested in working with MRI machines, you don't have to wait to finish high school to get started with your training. Taking biology, chemistry, anatomy, science, physics, psychology and other related courses offered by your high school is excellent preparation for a career as an MRI technologist. Also, some community colleges and universities offer bridge programs that allow high school students to take college level courses. Taking advantage of those programs whenever possible is also good preparation.
Junior College
To have an associate degree to work with MRI machines is not a requirement. However, having an associate degree in radiological technology gives you enough training to advance quickly within the field. A lot of MRI technologists, or radiological technologists, must have associate's degrees or higher to get promotions and higher wages.
Certification
An alternative to getting an associate degree in radiological technology is getting certified in MRI or radiological technology. Unlike community college programs, most technical school or trade school certification programs are only 12-month programs. Though these programs can potentially get you into an entry-level position working with MRI machines, you will probably need further education if you want to advance in the career.
Licensure
Many states require healthcare professionals working on MRI machines to have the proper licensure or state certification. Getting a license and/or certification doesn't necessarily require any level of educational training. However, to get the licenses you have to pass a standardized examination, and having the proper training will help you successfully complete the test.
Coursework
Students enrolled in an MRI or radiological technology program at a trade school, technical school, community college or junior college take courses such as biology, anatomy, psychology and other science courses. However, a student enrolled in a radiology or MRI technology program also has to take courses such as patient care, medical terminology, pathology, fluoroscopic equipment and radiology.
Tags: radiological technology, with machines, associate degree, have proper, must have, proper training