Just because you graduate from an MRI tech school, does not mean that you have an automatic career as an MRI technologist. As with many graduates, passing your classes and attaining the degree is actually easier than actually getting the job. With so much competition out there, it is important to stand out from all the other applicants who have the same or similar degrees in order to get hired. This is when pursuing the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification comes in handy.
Even though it is not an absolute requirement to have the ARRT certification, it will definitely boost your career opportunities if you have it. Most employers, whether it be hospitals or diagnostic clinics, will always prioritize MRI techs with the certification. Thus, this is a highly recommended step to do as soon as you graduate.
When it comes to looking for a job, another thing that is important to employers is your practical experience. Theoretical knowledge and skills are not enough. You may know all the technical things that come into operating the MRI, but you cannot be an expert unless you actually work with it. Fortunately, when you graduate from an MRI tech school and sit for the ARRT exam, you are required to complete 1,000-2,000 hours of clinical training to even qualify. This is helpful for your career prospects because it gives the impression that you have already worked with the machine several times as well as worked with different patients during your training. Remember, patient care is just as important as your knowledge and technical skills.
Developing Your Career After MRI Tech School
For those who want to further stand out from the rest of the competition, it would be helpful to have some extracurricular experience. This can be achieved through volunteer work, particularly jobs that enable you to develop and display interpersonal skills. As an MRI tech, you will be interacting with different patients as well as departments, so you will benefit from having frontline experience. It would be good if this was still related to the medical field somehow, but again, not necessary. The important thing is to be proactive and display your work ethic through other activities.
When looking for a job as an MRI technologist, you will immediately notice that you have three main options to choose from the hospital, diagnostic clinic, or radiology center. Any of these places will be a great experience for you, but it is basically up to you on what type of environment will suit you the best. For example, a hospital will let you learn responsibilities beyond a standard MRI technologist because you get to work with numerous departments or medical specialties. You are able to assist different types of physicians or doctors, and at the same time, you get to work in a very fast-paced environment. On the other hand, a clinic or radiology center is more flexible for your schedule. Most MRI scans are done in the daytime, so you will have an advanced schedule of the incoming patients, giving you more flexibility for non-work activities.
Overall, you have several options to choose from as an MRI technologist, but what is important is that you choose a good MRI tech school.
