How Can I Become An MRI Tech? - AIMS Education

MRI technologists are an integral part of the booming allied health industry. Responsible for preparing and positioning patients for MRI procedures, these techs then gather images of their patients’ anatomical structures by using a computerized MRI scanner. MRI techs, sometimes incorrectly referred to as MRI technicians, are also expected to speak with and calm nervous patients, as this medical procedure may be stressful for some. 

Once the 3D or 2D MRI images are ready for analysis, physicians known as radiologists will assess them. Though MRI techs don’t have the authority to diagnose patients, their accurate images are the lynchpin. 

With the demand for this allied health career higher than ever, there’s never been a better time to get involved in the industry. So how do you become an MRI tech? Keep reading to find out!

How Long Does it Take to Become an MRI Tech?

Depending on your program and prior education, it usually takes between 2 and 4 years to become a fully certified MRI tech. To finish your education, you’ll need to obtain one of the following degrees from an accredited institution:

• MRI Technology - Associate or bachelor’s degree 
• Radiography with MRI - Associate or bachelor’s degree

After you’ve completed school, the next step is to earn an MRI Technologist Certification. There are two types of certification options, and they both involve a combination of clinical experience and a certification exam: 

• ARRT Certification and Registration in MRI
• ARMRIT Certification for MRI Technologists

The best educational path for you depends on personal factors like your career goals and current work experience. Whatever path you take, it will take hard work and dedication to meet the strict standards of this industry. 

Before Applying to MRI Technologist School

MRI tech programs have different minimum enrollment prerequisites. Some may only require a high school diploma or GED to apply, while other programs may demand a more thorough background (like an associate degree or partial college attendance).

Before applying to MRI tech school, there are a few great ways to stand out and gain experience for MRI tech programs.

Sign Up For Related Classes in High School

If you’re currently in high school – and know that you want to pursue a career in the MRI field – take as many science and math courses as possible. Biology, chemistry, physics, and even computer science will give you an edge with applications and your future studies.

If your high school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in science and mathematics, take the initiative to sign up for a few. Testing out of future college courses in a single high school semester saves a lot of time and money. Even if you don’t ace the final exam, having college-level courses under your belt shows initiative to future colleges, programs and employers.

Take First Aid Training

Learning basic first aid and CPR are important skills at any age, but did you know that – starting in 2016 – most states began requiring high school graduates to complete CPR training? If your state doesn’t happen to be one of them or you graduated before the requirement came into effect, check out Red Cross offers in your area!

Not only does holding a certification look great on applications, some schools even require applicants to have one before they can apply.

Get Involved in Your Community

Volunteering or interning at local clinics, seniors’ centers, and hospitals helps you build necessary interpersonal skills for an MRI career. These opportunities also offer excellent insights into whether a specific field is the right fit.

MRI Technology Associate Degree

In associate degree programs, there’s a great deal of classroom instruction covering basic health care practices, patient procedures, anatomy & physiology, and evaluations using MRI images and scans. Students also engage in supervised, hands-on practice with MRI equipment in a clinical setting. 

After completing an associate degree in MRI Technology or a related field, students should prepare to take their MRI tech certification exam from ARRT or ARMRIT.

Be sure to choose a program which is approved by ARRT, or accredited by ARMRIT or the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. This ensures that you’ll receive the proper certification upon completing the program and that your training will adequately prepare you for your future career.