If you’ve ever considered entering the field of MRI technology, Favorite Healthcare Staffing is here to support you. In this blog, we touch on everything you need to know. From MRI tech duties and responsibilities to the requirements and skills you should possess, we’ve got you covered.
What does an MRI tech do?
An MRI technologist, also known as an MRI tech, has many responsibilities within the radiology department. Their biggest responsibility is capturing quality, detailed images of the internal structures of their patients so that radiologists can properly diagnose medical conditions. MRI techs are crucial to this process because without these images, patients would go undiagnosed, which can be detrimental if they need to be treated promptly.
Other MRI tech responsibilities include comforting distressed patients, monitoring the patients and images during the MRI process, assisting radiologists, and much more. Below, you’ll find common tasks that MRI techs complete daily.
Common day-to-day tasks
While every day can look different for an MRI tech, there are tasks that they will typically perform on a day-to-day basis. These include:
- Talking with patients to inform them of the MRI procedure
- Listening to patients’ concerns
- Reassuring and comforting distressed patients throughout the process
- Ensuring the safety of each patient
- Prepping patients for their MRI procedures
- Positioning patients in the MRI machines
- Monitoring the images during the procedure
- Recording and documenting patient records and information
- Scheduling patients’ MRI procedures
- Assisting radiologists with result interpretation and diagnosis
- Administering intravenous contrast agents
- Maintaining a clean work environment
- Identifying and resolving technical issues with the equipment
- Collaborating with other medical professionals
MRI techs in specialized roles: duties and responsibilities
Pediatric MRI
Common tasks for someone in this specialty include:
- Helping pediatric patients understand how the MRI process works
- Ensuring younger patients stay still during the scan
- Calming patients' nerves if they are apprehensive about the scan
- Capturing the MRI scan images
Interventional MRI
If you choose to work in this specialty, common tasks will include:
- Assisting radiologists with minimally invasive procedures such as biopsies or catheter installations
- Monitoring the MRI scan images
- Helping radiologists with determining a diagnosis
Magnetic resonance safety officer (MRSO)
An MRSO’s main duties and responsibilities consist of:
- Enforcing safety protocols
- Minimizing risks in the radiology department
- Educating staff members and patients on MRI safety practices
- Ensuring safety protocols are being followed