New MRI tech assistant course addresses growing demand for remote scans
A new MRI technologist assistant training program is officially open for enrollment for students hoping to participate in remote scanning operations.
ImagingU—an online CT and MRI education platform—announced the rollout of its certification program on Monday, citing the growing demand for remote scanning capabilities as the driving factor behind the course’s creation.
The concept of remote operations has been growing in popularity in recent years. It was a prevalent topic during the 2024 RSNA meeting, with some educational sessions discussing the potential logistics of successful remote scanning and others detailing how organizations have pulled it off thus far. Many see remote scanning as a solution to shortages of qualified technologists, while others have expressed concern that it presents safety risk.
One of the open questions around remote operations is: Who mans the ship if there is no physical presence of a qualified technologist? Opinions differ on who should be physically present, what their credentials should be and how familiar they need to be within an MRI suite. Many experts have proposed the creation of an MRI assistant role—one that specializes remote scanning. This role would have the responsibility of monitoring the patient before, during and after the exam, ensuring their safety and well-being while in the suite.
The new ImagingU course is intended to arm technologist assistants with the information necessary to conduct scans safely and efficiently. It incorporates content on medical terminology, MRI safety, patient care, MRI positioning, venipuncture and injection techniques, and more. The course, which has 16 modules and is 100% online, also includes two “checkpoint” exams that participants can complete to ensure they’re absorbing the information presented.
“Our goal is to equip organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving MRI landscape, while keeping their patients and staff safe,” President and Creator of ImagingU, Matthew Hayes, said in a release on the course’s rollout. “This course is built to meet the real-world needs of clinics and hospitals that are adopting remote scanning.”
Akumin Healthcare Services—a prominent provider of outpatient radiology and oncology services—is integrating the course into its remote scanning strategic planning. The course will be a routine part of their onboarding and training processes for MRI technologist assistants.
Learn more about the new course here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.