Been thinking about a career in healthcare but don’t know where to start? There’s actually a ton of options for medical careers, and some of them you might not think about right off the top of your head.
Take MRI technologists — they’re the trained professionals who maintain and operate magnetic resonance imaging scanners that are used to create images of the inside of patients’ bodies. These images can then help doctors better assess what’s going on with them and make a diagnosis. It’s an in-demand healthcare role that just might be the right fit for you.
Why You Should Become an MRI Technologist
Train for it in less than two years.
Don’t have years and years and tens of thousands of dollars to spend on schooling? As an MRI technologist, you won’t have to. You can earn an associate degree in magnetic resonance imaging in as little as 22 months, and it comes with the kind of practical, hands-on training that will actually prepare you for your job.
Jobs in this area are growing fast.
When we said this was an in-demand field, we weren’t kidding. According to O*Net, employment of MRI technologists is expected to grow 22% in California, and 7% in the U.S. within 10 years — almost twice as fast as average — and add thousands of jobs over the next few years.
Earn a rewarding salary.
According to Salary.com, the average salary for an entry-level MRI Technologist I ranged between $59,060 and $80,738 as of June 2021, with the median salary coming in at $70,916. Outpatient care centers tended to pay the highest, with medical and diagnostic laboratories and hospitals coming in second and third. Either way you look at it, though, those are some solid numbers to be putting up.
Be on the frontlines of innovation.
Medical and imaging technology is evolving fast, which should come as no surprise if you’ve been noticing how quickly we moved from chunky flip phones to smart phones in recent years. Everything from 3D printers to boost patient education to transportable ultrasounds to MEG imaging that lets neurologists see brain activity during natural movements — and you could be a part of all of it.
Work with both people and technology.
Because you get to work with complex equipment, computers, and new tech, and also get to interact with patients, MRI technologist is a career that gives you that perfect mix of people and PCs. Which means your day-to-day job will have a lot of variety so that there’s always something new to do or learn.
Find job opportunities in a wide variety of settings.
MRI technologists are needed in all kinds of medical facilities, with the largest employer being state, local, and private hospitals. They covered around 61% of the MRI jobs, with the next highest options being medical and diagnostic laboratories, physicians’ offices, and outpatient care centers. All very different work settings for you to choose from depending on what you’re looking for.
Work anywhere in the country.
Graduates from an MRI technologist program have to get certified to work by taking the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists exam and potentially also their American Registry of Radiologic Technologists exam. These are nationally recognized certifications, which means once you get them, you’re qualified to apply for jobs across the U.S.
Benefit from a less hectic work environment.
As opposed to some other healthcare jobs, especially in hospitals where high patient census can lead to a crush of activity, MRI technologist is a position where there will likely be a bit less chaos. After all, only one person can get an MRI at a time, and you can’t rush that process, so you’ll be able to focus on the task at hand.
Play a vital role in people’s healthcare.
It can’t be understated how helpful and important MRIs are to improving the health of patients. Without this detailed imaging technology, a lot of illnesses and other diagnoses could go undetected, without dire outcomes for the person involved. Those who operate MRIs are helping patients get potentially life-saving care.
Work steady, regular hours.
While there are some positions, especially in hospitals, that might need to staff MRI technologists for overnight and weekend shifts, the majority of the positions in this field work 40-hour weeks with regular morning-to-evening hours.
If you’re interested in becoming an MRI technologist or learning more about what it takes for an MRI technologist career, then it might be time to contact Casa Loma College. We are an allied health school with a strong community focus, proud to serve a diverse group of students. With career placement services and financial aid available to those who qualify, we are committed to your success. Call us today at 800-270-5052.