Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
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.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.
- Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
- 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.
- Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head.
- 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.
- 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.
- Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals.
- 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.
- Develop or otherwise produce film records of magnetic resonance images.
- Schedule appointments for research subjects or clinical patients.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
96%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
94%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
91%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
91%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
90%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
90%
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
88%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
83%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
82%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
77%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
76%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
75%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
75%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
75%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
73%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
73%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
73%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
72%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
69%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
68%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
66%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
65%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
64%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
63%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
62%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
61%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
59%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
57%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
54%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
52%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
51%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
41%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
40%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
39%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
39%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
38%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
32%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
28%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
24%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
23%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
20%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
19%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
19%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
17%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
16%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
14%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
13%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
11%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
10%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
9%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
9%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
7%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
7%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
5%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
4%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
2%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
1%
Education
Associate's degree
Post-secondary certificate
Bachelor's degree
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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