Careers in MRI
Most careers related to MRI technology are related to health oriented careers in diagnostic imaging or research in neurology.
Medical MRI TechnologistJob Overview:
MRI technologists utilize their communication, patient care and collaborative skills to interact with patients and other members of the health care team. They are responsible to make sure of each person’s safety before entering the magnetic field of the MR environment. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and the principles of MRI are required to safely and efficiently operate MRI scanners. MRIs are operated by MRI technologists to assist in the diagnosis of disease and injury. Responsibilities for Job:
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Radiologist Radiographers are physicians who performs and interprets diagnostic imaging tests and interventional procedures or treatments that involve using X-rays, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging equipment. They interpret the results of the scans and then with other professionals they help to diagnose their findings to form the best treatment for the patient. MRI is only one type of image they interpret to diagnose the patient however it is still important to use to compare with other scans to better understand the patients condition.
Job Duties
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Neuro-Radiologist Neuroradiologists are highly trained physicians who are important members of the diagnostic and treatment team assisting patients with a variety of disorders affecting the brain, spine and head and neck (ASNR 2012). MRI scans is only one type of image neuroradiologists use to study the brain, head and spine, but it is still important in order to accurately counsel patients and begin the most suited therapy early rather than later.
Job Prospects
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Radiographer
The job of a radiographer is to produce radiographs of patients in order to help diagnose the patient’s medical condition. They mainly make radiographs of x-rays, but they also CT scans, MRI, and ultrasounds.
It is their job to take the best image possible, to ensure that the patient’s medical condition is diagnosed correctly. A poorly taken image may lead to a misdiagnosis in the patients condition. Once the images are taken, they are responsible for developing the film or processing the digital images, and storing them correctly. Once the radiographer has developed the film, they must check their work to ensure that it corresponds to the request and that it will help diagnose the patient’s medical condition. Although radiographers take images of a patient, they are not qualified to make a medical diagnosis. This is the responsibility of a radiologist (Heathtimes 2015). For this career MRIs are used as a diagnostic tool providing jobs for producing clear scans that are used to interpret the patient's condition by a physician. |
Overall Job Prospects
Opportunities for MRI technologists were expected to be good. The BLS reported that MRI technologists could expect a 24% job growth rate from 2012-2022. In July 2012, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) reported that The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study indicating that MRI use quadrupled from 1996-2010, possibly as a result of better MRI technology, demand from medical professionals and consumers or as a method of practicing defensive medicine (www.asrt.org). The University of Utah School of Medicine also reported that MRI technology may be utilized in surgery, mammography, nuclear medicine and interventional radiography (medicine.utah.edu).
Overall, with more improvements being made to MRIs, comes more job opportunities in a variety of fields such as engineering, medical diagnosing, research studies and more. Some of these careers include engineers, scientists, researchers, or neurologists.
There are many different MRI techniques that can be utilized to further study different concepts in a different light such as how to regenerate brain cells to fight again Parkinson's, Alzheimers and other brain illnesses and diseases, how to make more efficient and sustainable MRI scanners or understanding the different functions of the brain.
Overall, with more improvements being made to MRIs, comes more job opportunities in a variety of fields such as engineering, medical diagnosing, research studies and more. Some of these careers include engineers, scientists, researchers, or neurologists.
There are many different MRI techniques that can be utilized to further study different concepts in a different light such as how to regenerate brain cells to fight again Parkinson's, Alzheimers and other brain illnesses and diseases, how to make more efficient and sustainable MRI scanners or understanding the different functions of the brain.