MRI TECHNOLOGIST

(MRI)

Start Date

October 23, 2023

More Start Dates
Length
The program length for day and evening classes may vary based on the number of scheduled hours per week. Holidays, school closings, and internship schedules may cause the program completion dates to vary as well.

26 Months

Schedule
The standard classroom schedule is provided here. The clinical internship schedule will vary based on the clinical site. Students must follow their assigned internship schedule, not the AIMS Education class schedule, academic calendar, or the observed holidays and breaks.

Monday - Friday
5:30pm to 9:30pm

FSA
Federal student aid is available for those who qualify. Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility. Please contact our financial aid department to learn more.

YES

Other Financial Assistance
Other financial assistance may be available for this program (scholarships, training grants, payment plans, etc.). Please contact our financial aid department to learn more.

YES

Start Date

October 23, 2023

More Start Dates
Length
The program length for day and evening classes may vary based on the number of scheduled hours per week. Holidays, school closings, and internship schedules may cause the program completion dates to vary as well.

26 Months

Schedule
The standard classroom schedule is provided here. The clinical internship schedule will vary based on the clinical site. Students must follow their assigned internship schedule, not the AIMS Education class schedule, academic calendar, or the observed holidays and breaks.

Monday - Friday
5:30pm to 9:30pm

FSA
Federal student aid is available for those who qualify. Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility. Please contact our financial aid department to learn more.

YES

Other Financial Assistance
Other financial assistance may be available for this program (scholarships, training grants, payment plans, etc.). Please contact our financial aid department to learn more.

YES

MRI Technologist Training

Hybrid / Distance Education Program

The MRI Technologist certificate program is programmatically accredited by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT). This program is designed to prepare students for a career in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI Technologists are allied health professionals who use specialized MRI equipment to visualize the internal structures of the human body. They interface with patients, radiologists, and other medical staff to deliver a highly technical service to their communities.

In this program, students will learn how to perform patient examinations using MRI equipment, under the guidelines set by radiologists and ordered by physicians. This comprehensive training program will include classroom instruction, hands-on training, and a clinical internship. The internship is an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical experience in a real work environment.

Hybrid Learning

The MRI Technologist program is taught using a hybrid learning environment. All hybrid courses will utilize online and in-person instruction. Lectures may be offered on campus or remotely via a Learning Management System (LMS). Laboratory classes and practical training will be held on campus or at a clinical site.

Online classes will be taught synchronously. Synchronous instruction is real-time instruction that requires students to attend classes at scheduled times.

MRI Clinical Internship

In addition to 355 clinical hours completed during the course of the MRI Technologist program, students are required to complete a mandatory 600-hour clinical internship. Students will be placed at a clinical site by the AIMS Internship Department. The internship is designed to provide practical training in a real work environment; students will have a mentor who trains and guides them. Students are not permitted to begin the internship until all required classroom, lab, and clinical hours are completed.

AIMS Education has clinical affiliations with numerous healthcare facilities throughout New Jersey and the surrounding areas. Students will be placed at one or more of these affiliated sites and must complete their clinical hours based on the schedule provided by the school. Internship schedules are based on the availability of clinical sites. All students (Day and Evening) must be prepared to complete their internship during normal business hours (Monday through Friday). The majority of clinical sites do not allow students to complete clinical hours in the evening or on the weekend.

Employment Opportunities for MRI Technologists

The number of MRI job opportunities is growing at a fast rate. This has resulted in tremendous career opportunities for MRI graduates. Most of the employment opportunities are in hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers. MRI Technologists can expect to work in clean, well lit, and comfortable environments. Jobs may require a moderate amount of physical activity working with the MRI equipment and maneuvering patients.

MRI Technologist Responsibilities

An MRI Technologist specializes in magnetic resonance imaging scanners. They operate the machine to obtain scans of patients' muscles, spinal cord, or brain, which help diagnose clients' diseases and illnesses. 

They also help physicians diagnose results from MRI scans and prepare patients for MRI procedures. 

An MRI Technologist must carefully follow the direction of their attending physician to ensure they are scanning the appropriate area of the body needed for diagnosis. 

MRI Technologists perform duties such as:

  • Calmly handling high-stress environments when dealing with physicians, technicians, and patients.
  • Providing new technologists with qualified work samples, direction, and regular checks from experienced team members.
  • Ensuring patient safety before procedures.
  • Maintaining the MRI machine, and ordering repairs when necessary. 
  • Troubleshooting scanners and peripheral equipment to avoid delays or downtime that affect patient satisfaction.
  • Communicating effectively with other health care professionals to convey messages appropriately.
  • Using poise, courtesy, and tact when interacting with patients, keeping them calm and comfortable during all procedures.
  • Explaining the MRI process to patients in a way that's reassuring and informative while addressing all concerns.
  • Operating equipment for imaging on various areas of the body in order to provide high-quality information and imaging for patient diagnosis. 

Required and Preferred Job Qualifications

An MRI Technologist entering the workforce is required to have:

  • A current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
  • Current state licensing (if applicable).

Many employers prefer the following skills and capabilities:

  • The ability to travel to various facilities
  • Self-direction and self-motivation
  • Experience working in high-stress environments

MRI Technologist Education Requirements 

MRI Technologists play a crucial role in health care, but they must first complete formal training. There are two main ways to become an MRI technologist: 

  • Complete a certificate or degree program that focuses solely on MRI technology and get certified in MRI.
  • Complete an associate degree or higher in radiologic sciences and specialize in MRI through additional education, clinical training, and certification. 

AIMS Education offers a certificate for MRI Technology, and our graduates are eligible to take the MRI examination from ARMRIT. Graduates with an associate degree are also eligible to take the MRI exam from ARRT.

MRI Technologist Required Skills 

MRI Technologists develop the following skills through clinical experience and coursework:

  • Critical thinking capabilities: Techs must determine the best process for gathering high-quality images and what images need to be captured.
  • Communication skills: MRI techs convey information to doctors before and after a procedure and communicate with patients at all stages of the scanning process.
  • Empathy and interpersonal skills: Many technicians encounter patients who feel uneasy about entering an MRI scanner.
  • Keen attention to detail and organization: Technicians must capture accurate images following radiologists' instructions.
  • Technical skills: Producing images and operating MRI scanners requires specific skills and training.

Certification / Registry Exam Eligibility

Graduates of the MRI program are eligible to sit for the ARMRIT national certification exam for magnetic resonance imaging. The MRI program is also officially recognized by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). MRI graduates who hold an associate degree can pursue primary pathway certification through ARRT.

MRI graduates with a foreign degree, who are pursuing certification through ARRT, must have their degree evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation service.

Eligibility requirements for the MRI certifications are solely determined by ARMRIT and ARRT, and are subject to change at any time. ARMRIT and ARRT are independent organizations. AIMS does not guarantee certification/registry exam eligibility.

Classroom and Clinical Training Schedule

Students who enroll in the MRI Technologist program must have flexible schedules and be able to attend classes and/or clinical training sessions during morning, day, and evening hours. Although the majority of clinical training will be in the morning/day, some clinical training will be completed in the evening. In addition, certain courses will only be taught in the evening regardless of the program’s standard schedule.

Program Length

  • 1980 clock hours
  • Classroom instruction - 935 hours
  • Lab - 90 hours
  • Clinical hours - 955 hours
  • The MRI Technologist program can be completed in approximately 26 months.

Comprehensive Education and Training

  • Medical Terminology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Patient Care & Safety
  • IV Administration
  • MRI Physics and Instrumentation
  • MRI Parameters & Procedures
  • Cross-Sectional Anatomy & Physiology
  • PACS & Image Acquisition

Minimum Admission Requirements

Recommended (not required)

  • Associate degree or higher

Selective Enrollment

The MRI Technologist program has a selective application process. Meeting the minimum requirements or recommendations does not guarantee you will be accepted into the program. From the pool of applicants, those who are considered most qualified for the study and practice of MRI technology will be admitted.

Additional Program Requirements

All MRI students are required to earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 upon completion of the pre-diagnostic modules at AIMS. 

Professional Licensure Disclosure

AIMS Education has determined that its MRI Technologist curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in New Jersey. If you live outside of New Jersey or you are planning to seek employment in another state, please review our professional licensure disclosures for more information.

* New Jersey currently has no state licensure requirements or laws regulating employment in this field. 

Upcoming Start Dates

Start Dates
Schedule
Program Length
Day Classes
TBD
Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
26 months
Evening Classes
October 23, 2023
Monday - Friday
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
26 months

Additional information regarding the class schedule, program length, internship schedule, and school holidays, is available on the academic calendar page.

Employer Testimonials

Accreditations and Approvals

The MRI Technologist program is accredited by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT), and approved by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

AIMS Education is institutionally accredited by the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). 

Graduate Spotlight

Betty Mesrobian

Betty Mesrobian

Betty Mesrobian is a graduate of the MRI Technologist program. After graduation she became certified through ARMRIT and ARRT, and was hired as a full-time MRI Technologist by Kayal Orthopaedic Center.

Program Gallery

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How to Become an MRI Tech: A Step-By-Step Guide

How to Become an MRI Tech: A Step-By-Step Guide

It’s no secret that qualified MRI technologists will be entering an extremely strong job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the MRI field is expected to grow by 14% from 2018 to 2028. 

Visit Our Campus

Take the first step in achieving your career goals by visiting the AIMS campus. During your school visit you'll get to meet one-on-one with an admissions specialist. They'll help you choose the right career path and answer any questions you have. You'll also get the chance to tour the AIMS campus, including all of our classrooms, medical labs, and student facilities.