Radiology Technician: MRI Specialization

There are several specializations a radiology technician can branch into.
Today we will be focusing on becoming an MRI specialist. First lets have a look at a MRI scanner, pictured on the right. This is the main device a MRI specialist will be using and must be familliar with; it detects problems relating to the spinal chords, joints, lungs, brain, and chest. I received an MRI by a doctor once to determine whether I had torn my ACL. The test is safe, painless, and requires anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes to administer. The only obstacle for patients may be claustrophobia. In this case the MRI specialist would want to be sensitive to each individual patient's needs, and may choose to sedate individuals so they can remain relatively still during the process.
An MRI device, administered by a MRI technician, scans the patient in order to diagnose various medical conditions such as; heart diseases, reproductive organ tumors, tumors in the chest or other areas of the body, and torn ligaments or nerves. Endometriosis, breast cancer, liver diseases, and other health problems can be detected with the assistance of an MRI scan as well. Becoming an MRI technician does not typically require extra schooling but rather additional training. Usually a radiology technician learns this more specialized skill on the job if there is an opening in one of these areas and someone willing to train them. There is a national registry exam available for MRI, but not all facilities require their techs to be certified in order to practice in these fields.