MRI is a young, but growing science!

In order to grasp and understand how fast the field of Imaging is expanding imagine this: In 1999, the first truly portable MRI technology was developed and already in 2003, there were approximately 10,000 MRI units worldwide, and approximately 75 million MRI scans per year performed!

NOW picture this: hospital MRI departments expand and the number of new private MRI facilities increase….this means of course many opportunities for a career in MRI technology.  MRI provides the most detailed images available today; it’s more accurate than any other imaging procedure. MRI is an important tool used in many fields of medicine, and is capable of generating a detailed image of any part of the human body. As an analogy, think about an apple. You can’t see inside the apple, so how would you go about finding out what’s in there? Each of these slices gives you more information about what is inside the bread, and if you slice it enough times, you will know pretty much all there is to know about that apple.

That’s what an MRI does – it takes images of multiple slices and then can build an accurate 2-D or even 3-D image of the tissues in your body. Many have a fear about the MRI. Many are afraid to undergo MRI procedures or even become MRI Technologists.  “MRI is a very safe procedure. There are no harmful effects resulting from an MRI.”

It is important to know that metal objects can be forcefully drawn to the magnet; if these metal objects are embedded in your body, they can be drawn to the magnet and cause damage. Certain types of metal are acceptable; for example, if you have a hip replacement, you may be able to have an MRI within 6 weeks after surgery, because enough healing has taken place to firmly hold the metal in place.

If you are interested in becoming MRI Tech, there are educational institutions that are post secondary vocational schools where you can get your degree within 12 months!!! The benefits of going to such healthcare schools are plenty….they also include the fact that you don’t have to be in healthcare  or be an X-Ray tech as many think….to be able to become an MRI Tech.  Many people don’t know about the very existence of such programs and schools. Check the internet for the local MRI programs at private and public vocational academies.  As the field of MRI continues to grow, so do the opportunities. There will always be a need for professionals trained in MRI .

Employment is projected to grow faster than average, and job opportunities are expected to be favorable.