Summarize this article in one sentence.
Once you've selected and enrolled in a school, you'll begin the first part of your training to become to become an MRI technician. Courses in your associate's degree will generally consist of science classes, like biology, chemistry, and anatomy, alongside technical skills like medical terminology, patient care, and radiography. Most associate's programs allow time for hands-on skills to be developed. You'll spend some time working in an actual lab getting acquainted with the MRI equipment you'll be using for your career. Make the most of your time in school. You want to make sure you get into a good training program after college and can secure a job later on. Volunteer at hospitals. Volunteering is a good start as the work can be as consistent as you want depending on your schedule. Volunteering regularly or semi-regularly at a hospital throughout your time in school will help you foster connections with doctors, nurses, technicians, and other hospital staff members you can use later on in the professional world. Look for internships related to your field. Ask your professors, classmates, and college advisers about where to apply for internships. An internship looks great on a resume and can bolster your chances of securing a job later on. If you make a good impression, the hospital you work for may eventually want to hire you longterm. Get a job in a hospital. Even an office job, which may seem unrelated, can look good on a resume as it allows you to interact with patients. As bedside manner and social skills are important to becoming an MRI technician, such experience could prove important down the road. The American Registry of Radiological Technologists (ARRT) will only certify you as an MRI technician if you complete a 1 to 2 year training program by an accredited institution. The ARRT also requires the program you attend includes classroom training and training in a hospital setting. You can browse the ARRT's website to find a list of school and you can search by your state and area. You will have to have completed at least your associate's degree before enrolling in an educational program. Training programs are generally run through colleges, community colleges, and hospitals. Prices vary from program to program, but some form of financial aid may be offered. Programs usually last from 1 to 2 years. During your training, you will work in a classroom setting learning about how to operate MRI technology. You will also work in a hospital setting getting hands on experience in your field. Once you have completed your associate's degree and your training program, you are eligible to take the certification exam. If you pass, you will be a registered MRI technician and can begin applying for jobs. You can schedule your exam date using the AARP's website. You can find a testing center near you and schedule an exam time that works best with your schedule. Depending on your state, there may be a small application fee. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, you may do so 24 hours ahead of time. You will take the exam on a computer. Children, friends, and family members are not permitted in testing centers. You should arrive 30 minutes early and bring 2 forms of identification, one of which must be a government issued photo ID. Calculators and personal notes are not permitted in the testing room. Questions are usually multiple choice and scores are based on the total number of correct answers. If you do not know an answer, it's best to guess or pick an answer you're uncertain of rather than leaving a question blank. You will have 4 hours to complete the exam. While you will see an initial score on screen, this is not a confirmation that you've passed the exam. The AARP will further review your exam and mail you an official report 2 to 3 weeks after you've completed the exam. If you fail, a re-application form will be sent with your score. There is a $175 re-application fee. You are allowed to take the exam 3 times within a 3 year period. If you do not pass the exam within this timeframe, you have to undergo training again.
Complete your associate's degree in radiologic technology. Seek out opportunities and experiences during college. Complete a training program. Take the certification exam. Know what to do if you do not pass the exam.