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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$88,180	2700	8.4%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$88,180

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

2700

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

8.4%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information.
Load digital images onto computers or websites.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.
Check quality of diagnostic images.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Select medical equipment for addressing patient needs.
Assist customers to ensure comfort or safety.
Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
Repair medical facility equipment.
Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
Train medical providers.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
Review technical documents to plan work.
Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
Follow protocols or regulations for healthcare activities.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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