MRI Technician Schools in North Carolina

MRI technicians are usually trained in radiology first, and then specialize in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, employment projections for radiology technologists are good through 2012. The state is expected to see 1550 new jobs for radiology techs through that year, an increase of about 23%. Across the country, the average median salary for MRI technologists is $53,000. However, in the state of North Carolina, MRI techs can make up to $77,000. Those working in Chapel Hill make about $76,000 annually. MRI techs in Charlotte can expect to make about $67,000 per year. Fayetteville MRI techs make about $71,000 annually. Those working in Raleigh can make $77,000 per year. Winston-Salem MRI techs expect an annual salary of $65,000. Jobs as an MRI tech are available in medical centers, outpatient facilities, trauma centers, and even in some physician's offices.

MRI Schools/Education in North Carolina

Becoming an MRI technologist in the state of North Carolina requires education in two disciplines. First, you must go to school to become a radiologist. This takes two years, and you will usually graduate with a certificate or Associate degree. Schools of radiology are available both online and in traditional brick-and-mortar format; however, the clinical component of any radiology program usually requires hands-on experience in a lab. The next step is to attend one of the online or campus based North Carolina MRI technician schools, which takes an additional year. You will graduate with a certificate in MRI. Again, online and traditional schools can fulfill this requirement, but you usually need clinical, practical experience at a hospital or medical center in order to graduate.

Once you have become certified by the ARRT in both radiology and MRI technology, you need to fulfill certain continuing education requirements to maintain those certifications. The ARRT requires 24 hours of continuing education in the 24 months prior to renewal of your license for both radiology and for MRI (48 hours total). 24 of the credit hours should be in radiology-related courses, and 24 should be in MRI-related courses.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring MRI Technicians in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, High Point and Wilmington, North Carolina may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Forsyth Medical Center, Rutherford Hospital and Pitt County Memorial Hospital.