For those aspiring to be a magnetic resonance imaging technician, having training is the first thing that one must need to undergo. MRI technician training is provided in MRI schools before they can get a job in clinics, diagnostic centers and hospitals. Since there is a demand and need for MRI technicians, a lot of radiology schools and universities are offering programs for this career. MRI schools will prepare the students for their future careers by equipping them with the skills needed in using MRI equipments in a safe manner. Schools will also help the students in understating what these machines will show and how they deal with their patients. Magnetic Resonance Imaging schools will also teach the students on how to do proper cleaning and maintenance of the MRI machines. Classes usually last for four years especially to those who wanted to have an advanced radiology degree while diplomas can be acquired in two years. The following New York MRI schools offer a degree on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

MRI Technician Schools in New York

The State University of New York at Stony Brook is one of the best universities in the area. This school is a public university having almost 16,000 students. The school offers a bachelor degree in Health Sciences specifically on radiology. This university offers a 5 year program where four years are for the classroom coursework and one year is for the internship in a medical center where students are given the opportunity to have hands on training. For those students who don’t have the money to spend for this career, the school offers a financial aid. The State University of New York at Stony Brook is located at Stony Brook, New York. Contact them at 631-632-6868.

One can also go and check the New York City College of Technology- the largest public college in New York. This university offers an accredited program in imaging. The program that the school offers almost takes two years to be accomplished. Classes are on anatomy, image production, patient care and management and radiographic procedures. After the completion of the program, students are now ready to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist that can give them a certification and licensure that will allow them to work in the State of New York. This university is located at 300 Jay Street Brooklyn, New York. In order to get some information, contact the school at 718-260-5000 and www.cuny.edu.

Nassau Community College located at 1 Education Drive Garden City, New York is a fully accredited radiology school that offers six semesters. A graduate earn an associate degree and is then required to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination to acquire a license. Classes on radiologic technology, psychology and health sciences are taken up for two years. For more details you can call the school at 516-572-7501 or visit the website at www.ncc.edu.

Career Duties

Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI technicians operate a diagnostic tool or machine to detect any health problems by taking clear pictures of the tissues and organs inside the human body. These professionals are working on hospitals, imaging centers and clinics. It is important for these technicians to know how to handle the machines with care and in a professional way. The machine that they use is called a MRI scanner which comes in a donut shape with a tunnel inside. To take pictures of the organs and tissues, the patient is placed on the table and while they are resting, pictures are taken through radio waves. These pictures are then placed in 3D images and given to the doctor for evaluation and diagnosis.

Prior to an MRI procedure, Magnetic Resonance Imaging technicians should know how to follow doctor’s orders. They must be attentive and willing to work with other members of the health care team. They should also know how to explain the procedure to the patient to lessen the stress and anxiety that they may feel. They must be knowledgeable enough on how they will operate the equipment and prepare the patient.

MRI technicians must have good communication skills- both written and verbal. They should also be aware when it comes to the needs of the patient may it be psychological or physiologic. And most importantly, they need to have a good health and good stamina since there work may involve long hours of standing.

Success as an MRI Technician

To become a successful MRI technician, you  not only have to have the qualifications required by your work place, but you must also have the skills that can help you enhance your job. The most important skill to have is that you must know how to be sensitive with the psychological and physiological needs of your patients. Some patients can no longer move on their own and may greatly need your assistance. Some may be scared about the procedure and your role includes explaining to the patient the procedure to keep them calm and relaxed. It is important that you have a good verbal and written communication skill. Skills such as these are variables that will also play a role in your annual MRI Technician earnings.

Another skill that they need is time management. MRI technicians must know the length or duration of every procedure. You also need to learn on how to take good care of the machines properly and how you can protect your patient and yourself from the radiation emitted by the machine since exposure to it may cause harmful effects on one’s health. And most importantly, having the proper knowledge is important for you to work on the procedure effortlessly.

For aspiring MRI technicians, taking the next step which is having training, then here are the following things you need to know. First, you must look for a program in magnetic resonance imaging. These programs are being offered in different schools and universities. There are several MRI technician schools in Texas which will offer different levels of training. These schools may offer a certificate, an associate or bachelors degree. The program that you may have sometimes also depends on your financial situation.

Next step is to make sure that the program you will be in is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education on Radiologic Technology. When you have decided what school you will be in, complete all requirements needed for the program. Some may include prerequisite subjects like math, biology and physics. Once you are already in the program, be sure that you will be able to accomplish the required hours of clinical rotation in a hospital. During the whole training program, be sure that you are fit and in good shape. Your work surely does require a lot of lifting, turning and moving of patients. Once you have already finished the program, be prepared for the certification exam which is your last step and will bring you to the working world of MRI technicians.

MRI Technician Schools in Texas

The South Texas college which is a public community college has almost 19,000 enrolled students and this school has a lot of campuses. The program they offer is a 67- credit program that will prepare the students for the national certification exam and licensure exam as required by the State before they are allowed to practice as an MRI technician. The school is located at 3201 W.Pecan, McAllen, Texas.

One of the schools accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is the Wharton County Community College. This school has 4 campuses. This school is also accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education on Radiologic Technology. After completing the program, the students are qualified to take the national certification and state licensure examination. Wharton County Community College’s main office is located at 911 Boiling Highway, Wharton, Texas.

A school founded in 1989, the St. Phillips College located at 1801 Martin Luther King Drive, San Antonio, Texas has 11,000 students.  This school is accredited also by the Joint Review Committee on Education on Radiologic Technology. The training program includes classroom and hands on experiences. Once the students have finished their training they are now eligible to take both the national certification and state licensure exam.

When puruing a radiology technician career first thing that you can do is to examine the radiology career opportunities. Some things you may want to review include the average mri technician salary, job demand and also review the education requirements for a specific field of radiology may it be an MRI technician or a cardiovascular radiology technician and so on. These technician schools may offer certificates, associate degrees and a bachelor degree. But mostly these schools offer an associate degree. Having a two year associate degree will already qualify a graduate to practice in the field of MRI and other medical specialties that uses ultrasound techniques. Then, begin your research on California’s certification requirements. Usually, it takes 4 years to complete a radiology program in California. California MRI technician programs are being regulated by the California Department of Healthcare Services. After a person has finished the radiology program fruitfully, they must apply for a certification testing. In California, one cannot work as an MRI technician until the certificate testing has been completed. Lastly, preview the requirements needed for a continuing education. The American Board of Radiology has provided requirements needed for a continuing education for MRI technicians. Also be sure that you will be enrolled in a school accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

MRI Technician Schools in California

The following are the Mri Technician schools in California that offer an MRI technician program and will provide you with the career training needed to land a MRI tech jobs in California or anywhere else.

Cabrillo College

Los Angeles City College

Santa Barbara City College

California State University

Cabrillo College offers to the students a four year radiologic technology program. The program offered by this school includes laboratory training at a local health facility. An associate degree offers lectures on radiographic imaging, radiation physics, and medical imaging pathology and so on. Cabrillo College does not only provide and teach practical applications to their students but guarantee that these students will have good communication and problem solving skills in their MRI career. Cabrillo College is located at 6500 Soquel Drive, California. Contact them at 831-479-6100 and at www.cabrillo.edu.

Los Angeles City College equips their students with all the knowledge and skills needed in performing diagnostic procedures. The students study principles behind radiologic exposure, patient positioning, handling imaging equipment and how provide good patient care. Students spend one year in clinical education for 36 hours every week. Visit Los Angeles City College at 855 Vermont Los Angeles, California and for more information visit their website at www.lacitycollege.edu and contact them at 323-953-4000.

Santa Barbara City College is an accredited school by the Joint Review Committee that offers a one year MRI program. Students enrolled in this school are taught about different radiologic technology program. The students must finish four clinical rotations to prepare them on the actual professional work environment so they will know how to communicate and deal with other medical professionals. Santa Barbara College is located at 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, California. For more questions call them at 805-965-0581 or visit www.sbcc.edu.

California State University Northridge offers a program that helps the students earn a Bachelor of Science Degree. Students may learn specialized procedures in imaging like magnetic resonance imaging or MRI and computed tomography or CT scan. Students also take classes on subjects like physics, pathophysiology and anatomy and physiology. Students get both didactic and practical training to assure them that they are prepared to work in a true work environment. Visit California State University Northridge at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, California for more information. You can also call them at 818-677-1200 or visit the website at www.csun.edu.

Just like with any job, the more experience and more knowledge you have determines how much you’re going to get paid. But with a job that requires a degree, the more education, and the school you attended will have a determining factor on how much money you can make annually. Something else that will determine MRI technician salary is the location of the job, both geographically and who you are working for. An MRI Tech Salary can largely depend on if you’re working for a large hospital, a small doctor’s office, or an MRI specialist.

It is not likely that you will graduate from a technical trade school and expect an average yearly salary as an MRI technician to be above $60,000 per year. Realistically an MRI technician salary is closer to about $35,000 per year right out of school. After you have been in the field for a while and climbed your way up the corporate ladder, the average yearly salary for an MRI technician is about $61,500 per year. The yearly MRI technician salary stated in this article was derived from thousands of human resource departments from employers of all sizes, industries and geographies.

This figure of $61,500 per year is just the median. The low range of that salary base being about $56,800 per year, while the upper range of that is about $66,000 per year. When you enter into a field such as an MRI technologist, it is good to keep in mind that you will have to continue taking more schooling as the years go on. As technology changes rapidly like it does, you will have to learn to incorporate in your work skills how you will handle the new machinery, any protective gear that may be either invented or brought into use for an MRI technician.

Statistics show that the amount MRI tech jobs available on the market today is growing at a rate faster than it ever has in the past. So it’s obvious you can make a great living as an MRI technician, but keep in mind that your particular pay can be dramatically affected by such factors as employer size, the industry, employee credentials, and the years of experience and knowledge you have.

Many people view MRI techs as having x-ray vision, it’s not exactly that but it’s close. If you become an MRI tech, you can expect to use magnetic resonance imaging at any number of your MRI tech jobs. Basically magnetic resonance imaging is giant magnets and radio waves that allow you to see soft as well as hard issues with inside the human body. The difference between an MRI tech and an x-ray tech, is that an x-ray tech uses radiation to do the same thing.

So if you are young may be in grade school and thinking about pursuing a career as a MRI technician you should consider studying some of the following courses while still in school. Take classes in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and six, microbiology and Math. It is also good to pick up a book about medical terminology. Or do some research online and bring yourself up to par on some of the basic terminology used in a medical field.

After high school you will need to complete in a credited vocational, community college, or technical trade school two-year degree program for radiology technology. You will find that most Junior and community colleges in your area will have this two-year program, and if not most states have many technical trade schools who specialize in healthcare programs. It is important that you check and make sure that the program you are taking is an accredited program. If you are not sure about the program you’re taking, the joint review committee on education and radiology technology will provide you a list of accredited programs.

After you have completed your two-year course to get your degree for radiology technology, you will need to complete a one-year MRI technology certificate after you graduate. At this point you should be able to land a number of MRI tech jobs quite easily. Once on the job you will likely be retrained by your boss or the position or doctor in charge. Do not be offended at this, each physician runs their own office their own way. It is good to learn their techniques and use their experiences they have learned over the years. Your training does not stop there either, while working at your job as a MRI technician, you should work on completing a one-year additional MRR I certificate, and gain experience in the MRIs I shall teach you become as knowledgeable and proficient in this field as possible. This extra knowledge you gain will allow you to get promotions and increase your yearly salary.

We will continue in the next articles to touch on what schools offer the best accredited programs, and what the average going MRI technician salary is for this technical career based on variables such as education level, experience and location.