MRI Technologist
Surgical Technician
A program that prepares individuals who are AART-certified radiological technicians to utilize MRI technology to obtain still and moving images of various vascular structures in the human body that aid the physician in the diagnosis or treatment of disease and injury.
What MRI Technologists Do
A program that prepares individuals who are AART-certified radiological technicians to utilize MRI technology to obtain still and moving images of various vascular structures in the human body that aid the physician in the diagnosis or treatment of disease and injury.
Common Tasks
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- 1Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 2Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- 3Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- 4Supervise laboratory sessions.
- 5Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
What You'll Learn
Types of MRI Technologists
Work Environment
Locations
- • Hospitals
- • Outpatient imaging centers
- • Physician offices and specialty clinics
- • Emergency departments
- • Research hospitals and universities
Schedule
Most MRI technologists work set shifts, but evenings, weekends, and on-call rotations are common in hospitals and busy imaging centers.
Physical Demands
The job involves a mix of sitting and standing, with frequent patient positioning and moving equipment, which can require moderate lifting and handling. Repetitive motions and working in confined scanner-room spaces are common.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 333,700 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
An aging population and rising rates of chronic disease increase the need for advanced diagnostic imaging like MRI. Expanded use of MRI for neurological, orthopedic, and cardiovascular evaluation can also drive more scans and staffing needs.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Strong pay potential in healthcare
- • Work is patient-focused and clinically meaningful
- • High-tech role with specialized skills
- • Typically predictable shift structure
- • Opportunities to specialize (e.g., neuro, cardiac, research)
Cons
- • Strict safety protocols and high responsibility for patient screening
- • May require weekends, evenings, or on-call coverage
- • Physical strain from positioning and assisting patients
- • Noise and confined-space environment around MRI suites
- • Emotional stress when working with anxious or critically ill patients
Common Questions About the MRI Technologist Trade
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