Radiology Forums

runawaysun · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

I would like to be a MRI Tech. They are very limited in our area. I have been to college but have had no medical training. Could someone please let me know what type of program I need to complete to get into this field. Thank you.

MissE · Moderator Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 148 Location: Ohio

Hello! You will need to get a degree in radiology as a radiologic technician first by attending a 2 to 4 year college (pass the boards and become certified). Then you will need to get additional training (schooling) and specialize in MRI, Ultrasound, CT or any other specialty, and also pass the boards for that specialty. Go to www.RTStudents.com for more information. Hope that helps!

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 556 Location: CT

The above is close, but not correct. College-based programs, while certainly more prevalent than certificate programs, are not the only route to becoming ARRT examination eligible.

This link
http://www.jrcert.org/cert/results.jsp provides information about accredited certificate programs in Radiography, completion of which makes one eligible to sit the board exams.

Additionally, I have been unable to verify the "legality" of a supposed ARRT certification requirement to become an MRI technologist. There are MRI job postings which specifically require ARRT .. there are others which do not. The requirement to be an RT prior to taking a position in MRI MAY be related to state licensure. It is not a JCAHO requirement, and is certainly not a national requirement.

That said, the currently most traditional method of becoming a paid MRI technologist is to first attend and graduate from an accredited Radiologic Technology program, and sit for the board exams. Having passed the national certification, attend a post-graduate training program in MRI ... or (so far) be fortunate enough to get in somewhere as an RT where you get on-the-job training in MRI.

Please also note - certification in MRI is also not a requirement - *highly* desireable and worth the doing, but not mandatory (yet).

Good luck
hjh