Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.

Also Known As:

MRI Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Coordinator) MRI QA Coordinator (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quality Assurance Coordinator) MRI Radiographer (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiographer) MRI Specialist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Specialist) MRI Tech (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technician) MRI Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist) Research MRI Technologist (Research Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist)

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists in United States

Job Outlook Bright

New job opportunities are very likely in the future

United States 2034 Projected Employment

47,200

7% Change From 2024

Explore Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Schedule appointments for research subjects or clinical patients.
Develop or otherwise produce film records of magnetic resonance images.
Instruct medical staff or students in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures or equipment operation.
Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise.
Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise.
Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
Test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to ensure proper functioning and performance in accordance with specifications.
Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals.
Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation.
Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images.
Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head.
Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation.
Intravenously inject contrast dyes, such as gadolinium contrast, in accordance with scope of practice.
Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging.
Explain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to patients, patient representatives, or family members.
Attach physiological monitoring leads to patient's finger, chest, waist, or other body parts.
Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.
Operate optical systems to capture dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, such as functional brain imaging, real-time organ motion tracking, or musculoskeletal anatomy and trajectory visualization.
Troubleshoot technical issues related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or peripheral equipment, such as monitors or coils.
Calibrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) console or peripheral hardware.
Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera.
Comfort patients during exams, or request sedatives or other medication from physicians for patients with anxiety or claustrophobia.
Conduct inventories to maintain stock of clinical supplies.
Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head.
Take brief medical histories from patients.
Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.
Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
Connect physiological leads to physiological acquisition control (PAC) units.
Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.

Average Education Attained

Highest level of education earned by people in this career.

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