The ultrasound technician, also called a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, produces sonograms which are ultrasonic recordings. Using special imaging equipment, high frequency sounds waves are directed into the body to produce real-time or dynamic images of internal organs, the heart, the vascular system and fetuses to detect abnormalities. The MRI Technologist does magnetic resonance imaging, which uses radio waves and magnetism. Images are taken of patient organs, tissues, bones and joints using a specialized MRI machine that produces magnetic field and radio waves. The positions are similar but use different, sophisticated medical equipment.
In this article:
- How to Become an MRI Technologist?
- A List of Best MRI Technologist Schools as of 2017
- How to Become a Sonographer?
- What does an MRI Technologist Do?
- What does an Ultrasound Technician Do?
- Salary and Job Outlook of MRI Technologists and Sonographers
- Pros and Cons of Becoming an MRI Technologist
- Pros and Cons of Becoming an Ultrasound Technician
How to Become an MRI Technologist?
Earning certification as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technician through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is only possible by first taking training in an MRI technologist school that is ARRT recognized. After December 31, 2014, an Associates degree in sonography or Bachelors degree in sonography is required for eligibility to earn ARRT MRI certification. The degree does not have to be in radiologic science. Attending an ARRT recognized MRI technologist school is important because it ensures students learn what is needed to meet ARRT’s didactic and clinical competency requirements. The MRI technician program includes training in general patient care, MRI procedures, and quality control.
A List of Best MRI Technologist Schools by State
| State | City | Schools | Contact Name | Contact Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | State University | Arkansas State University | Cheryl O Du Bose | (870)972-2772 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | West Coast Ultrasound Institute | David W Diffenderfer | (602)954-3834 |
| California | Anaheim | Casa Loma College | William L Korson | (714)484-6995 |
| California | Van Nuys | Casa Loma College | William L Korson | (818)785-2726 |
| California | Orange | CNI College | Mahmud Khokhar | (714)437-9697 |
| California | Modesto | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | Elena V Danilova | (209)521-1821 |
| California | San Mateo | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | Elena V Danilova | (650)685-6616 |
| California | Sacramento | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | Elena V Danilova | (650)351-7289 |
| California | Commerce | National Polytechnic College | Barbara Krynicka Wilson | (323)728-9636 |
| California | Sacramento | Sacramento Ultrasound Institute | Frederick C Schindler | (910)484-7666 |
| California | Beverly Hills | West Coast Ultrasound Institute | Behrouz Rahimpour | (626)497-4775 |
| California | Ontario | West Coast Ultrasound Institute | Michelle F Foreso | (909)483-3808 |
| California | Long Beach | Long Beach City College | Joseph D Carfagno | (562)938-4158 |
| Florida | Hialeah | Med Academy | Juan A Revuelta | (786)271-0987 |
| Idaho | Boise | Boise State University | Lorrie L Kelley | (208)426-1606 |
| Illinois | Glen Ellyn | College of DuPage | Jeffrey A Papp | (630)942-2074 |
| Illinois | Elgin | Elgin Community College | Debra L Letizio | (847)214-7691 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Midwestern Career College | Danielle E Dertz | (312)236-9000 |
| Illinois | Bridgeview | Northwestern College | Georgiena E Prevett | (708)237-5050 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Rush University | Laura P Vasquez | (312)942-2842 |
| Illinois | Carbondale | Southern Illinois University | Michael L Grey | (618)453-7203 |
| Indiana | Kokomo | Indiana University | Patricia M Davis | (765)455-9434 |
| Indiana | Indianapolis | Indiana University-Purdue University | Bruce W Long | (317)274-5254 |
| Indiana | South Bend | Radiological Technologies University VT | Mellonie F Brown | (574)877-411 |
| Kansas | Hays | Fort Hays State University | Michael E Madden | (785)628-5678 |
| Kentucky | Morehead | Morehead State University | Donna Lee Wright | (606)783-2647 |
| Massachusetts | Boston | Boston University School of Medicine | Kevin Thomas | (617)414-2332 |
| Massachusetts | Boston | MCPHS University | Lori A Nugent | (617)274-3312 |
| Michigan | Benton Harbor | Lake Michigan College | Marla K Clark | (269)927-8762 |
| Michigan | Lansing | Michigan Radiologic and Imaging Sciences (MiRIS) Consortium | Amy M Lee | (269)830-7662 |
| Michigan | Battle Creek | MiRIS Consortium | Amy M Lee | (269)965-3931 |
| Michigan | Ann Arbor | Washtenaw Community College | Connie S Foster | (734)973-3418 |
| Missouri | Springfield | Cox College | Michelle L Masengill | (417)269-3063 |
| Missouri | Saint Louis | Saint Louis University | Martha Ann Kennedy | (314)977-8526 |
| Mississippi | Jackson | University of Mississippi Medical Center | Susanna A Street | (601)984-4444 |
| North Carolina | Raleigh | Wake Technical Community College | Angela E Washington | (919)747-0031 |
| North Carolina | Winston Salem | Forsyth Technical Community College | Melissa Hale Smith | (336)757-3349 |
| Nebraska | Omaha | University of Nebraska Medical Center | Stephanie Mae Vas | (402)559-2181 |
| New Jersey | Piscataway | American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education | Sheetal S Desai | (908)222-0002 |
| Nevada | Reno | Truckee Meadows Community College | Warren L Hejny | (775)850-4045 |
| Ohio | Cincinnati | University of Cincinnati | Alan W Vespie | (513)558-2018 |
| Ohio | Toledo | Owens Community College | Amy L Crofts | (567)661-7370 |
| Pennsylvania | Bristol | Bucks County Community College | Colleen Cardilla | (267)685-4821 |
| Pennsylvania | Monroeville | Community College of Allegheny County-Boyce Campus | August B Kellermann Iii | (724)325-6606 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Thomas Jefferson University | Richard H Weening | (215)503-0059 |
| Pennsylvania | Williamsport | Pennsylvania College of Technology | Eyvonne N Mc Carty | (570)320-8007 |
| Rhode Island | Providence | Rhode Island Hospital | Ellen E Alexandre | (401)528-8531 |
| South Carolina | Greenville | Greenville Technical College | Pamela R Anthony | (864)250-8045 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Baptist Health System BSHP | Stephanie Y Wanat | (210)297-9160 |
| Texas | Dallas | El Centro College | Joan A Becker | (972)860-5049 |
| Texas | El Paso | Southwest University | Gerardo Ortiz | (915)778-4001 |
| Texas | Houston | University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | William A Undie | (713)792-3455 |
| Texas | Galveston | Galveston College | Edoardo Cerani | (409)944-1270 |
| Utah | Ogden | Weber State University | Robert J Walker | (801)626-6057 |
| West Virginia | Morgantown | West Virginia University Hospitals | Charles B Holben | (304)293-8802 |
| Wyoming | Casper | Casper College | Jennifer L Harshman | (307)268-2587 |
How to Become a Sonographer?
To become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, it is important to attend a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs. The training programs lead to earning an Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree, taking two or four years to complete respectively. Students with an Allied Health degree or relevant work experience can choose to earn an ultrasound technician certification in a lesser period of time. Sonography students working towards degrees will complete coursework and clinical training in general patient care, imaging procedures, and quality control. Once educational requirements are met, the graduate can sit for the ARDMS examinations and earn sonography certification. This is the best way to increase employment opportunities.
What does an MRI Technologist Do?
It is highly recommended that the Magnetic Resonance Imaging technologist gets certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Typical duties for this position include:
- Consult with patients to review medical history and update records as needed
- Screen patients to identify contra-indications that can cause problems or issues with procedures, like cardiac pacemakers, pregnancy, ear implants, prosthetic heart valves or any other implanted devices that could potentially react to magnetic waves
- Position patients on MRI equipment cradle
- If necessary, inject gadolinium (contrast dye) intravenously to enhance images
- Operate a magnetic resonance scanner and peripheral equipment to produce images, transferring them from disk to magnetic media to produce transparency and developing film using an automatic processor
- Analyze images to determine suitability and quality, ensuring the appropriate ones are archived
- Consult with physicians
What does an Ultrasound Technician Do?
The ultrasound technician is also called an ultrasound technologist or Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The typical duties are as follows:
- Greet patients and discuss prior medical history and current health issues
- Document patient history and imaging procedures
- Manage the ultrasound equipment, adjusting controls as necessary to obtain ideal images
- Assist patients on and off the imaging table and with positioning of the body to obtain necessary images
- Produce real-time images of internal organs like the heart, pancreas, kidneys, liver, pelvic organs, and blood flow in vascular system
- Review and analyze the images, deciding if images are acceptable or if additional images are needed
- Record images, document procedures, interpret sonographs, update patient history
- Obtain necessary legal and medical forms and patient signatures
- Consult with physician
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer must have the knowledge and skills to recognize the difference between normal and abnormal tissue and systems based on a study of the ultrasound images. Depending on their training and credentials, sonographers may take images of the abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal system, female reproductive systems, and cardiovascular system.
Salary and Job Outlook of MRI Technologists and Sonographers
As of the May 2016 occupational employment and wages survey conducted by the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earned $71,750 as the average annual wages. That equates to $34.49 per hour. For the same time period, the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist earned average annual wages of $69,240 or $33.29 per hour. The two positions are paid almost the same amount, making them very competitive positions. However, there were many more sonographers employed. The national estimate was 35,850 MRI Technologists employed in 2016. There were 65,790 ultrasound technicians employed in the same year. Looking at projected job openings for the period 2014 to 2024, there are more employment opportunities in ultrasound technology 16,000 new positions than magnetic resonance imaging at 3,500 positions. | See Job Openings
Pros and Cons of Becoming an MRI Technologist
Following are some advantages of becoming an MRI Technician:
- Works with equipment that does not use radiation, thus reducing exposure to hazardous materials
- Performs non-invasive medical procedures
- Greater variety of images taken because MRIs can be used to evaluate bones and spaces where organs may potentially block ultrasound waves
- May become member of a team of physicians, nurses, and radiologists
- Usually works regular day-time shifts
Following are some disadvantages of become an MRI Technician:
- MRI studies can be dangerous to people who have implanted medical devices, so MRI Technician must carefully follow safety rules or risk patient safety
- Employment limited to hospitals and imaging clinics or centers because equipment not normally suitable for a physician office or mobile unit
- Must administer oral or intravenous contrast dyes
- Often must work with patients who are claustrophobic or have high anxiety levels and do not want to lie in a close fitting tube during the procedure
Pros and Cons of Becoming an Ultrasound Technician
Following are some advantages of becoming an Ultrasound Technician:
- Safe to use on almost all patients because no radioactive or magnetic waves are involved
- Ultrasound waves do not involve the use of radioactive materials
- Only non-invasive procedures are involved; exceptions are the use of special probes in certain obstetric, pelvic, rectum or heart exams which are performed by physicians with the assistance of the ultrasound technician
- More employment opportunities in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, excellent projected job availability over the next 10 years
Following are some disadvantages of become an Ultrasound Technician:
- Might have to work flex schedules, rotating shifts, and on-call hours
- Requires high level of physical labor related to positioning patients on the exam table who not able to help themselves due to disease or illness; can lead to high rates of musculoskeletal injuries among ultrasound technicians
- Can be a high stress job
- Must sit in a dark room for much of the work shift
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists and Sonographers do similar, but not identical, work. Both positions require critical thinking, specialized training, and the ability to work with a variety of people and patients. One of the major differences is the type of equipment used for taking MRIs versus sonograms. The MRI chamber often creates a lot of anxiousness in people who are already experiencing stress due to illness or disease. Ultrasound Technician use equipment that is much less stressful on patients. In addition, ultrasound technology is likely to offer greater employment opportunities in the future, because the equipment is more portable and the procedures are more affordable, benefiting the health care expansion effort.