What Does An MRI Technician Do?

An MRI technician should be a professional radiologic technologist who focuses primarily on the utilization of magnetic resonance imaging. This technique only started being used in the 1980’s but has become generally accepted as being acutely useful in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Is it dangerous?

The MRI scan works on the mix of radio and magnetic waves so it’s not suitable for patients who might have internal metal objects for example a solider with a bullet lodged in his spine. Bone pins should be OK because they are orthopedic quality steel nevertheless the technician should check. Electrical units including pacemakers also can cause dilemmas. The risk of the magnetic force attracting the material or interfering with electrical signals may be deemed so other imaging techniques may need to be used to be excessive. MRI scans aren’t recommended for pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy. You will find no problems with radiation poisoning which may cause issues for those employed in x-ray.

How does it work?

The individual lies on a bed which then moves in a very large cylinder shaped magnet. Many patients get the experience a little claustrophobic although it isn’t painful. The MRI technician monitors and activates the in-patient and the equipment.

As well as the magnetic field, the device emits radio waves which communicate with the hydrogen atoms in the human body. The radio waves affect your body’s atoms causing them to disperse. They then move back into place and in the process send out their very own radio signals which are picked up by the computer and turned into images. This way it is possible to just take pictures of almost all tissue in the body. The different types of structure appear as different colors. The tissue with the least amount of water and thus hydrogen atoms will show up as dim i.e. the bones while fat tissue will show up much lighter as it contains more water.

An MRI scan is specially useful when used on the brain not just to find out whether there are cancers but also to find out the result of specific conditions including MS on the brain tissue. An MRI will help to establish the extent of the bleed and the likely harm done to the brain tissue if somebody suffers a brain hemorrhage.

What special qualities does an MRI technician need to have?

The MRI scan makes a very loud noise when it begins working and this combined with claustrophobic enclosure can make patients very nervous. The MRI tech salary needs to be familiar with this. If the patient is extremely anxious a health care provider could recommend a mild sedative that will not affect the outcomes of the test but will make it a more comfortable experience for the patient.

More information can be found on this site.

Focus on detail in addition to persistence, endurance and physical fitness are typical characteristics typically present in these MRI technicians that master their job.

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