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MRI Technologist

Healthcare

Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

Allied Health

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.
  2. 2Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
  3. 3Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images.
  4. 4Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.
  5. 5Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise.
  6. 6Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head.
  7. 7Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging.
  8. 8Take brief medical histories from patients.
  9. 9Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera.
  10. 10Intravenously inject contrast dyes, such as gadolinium contrast, in accordance with scope of practice.
  11. 11Test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to ensure proper functioning and performance in accordance with specifications.
  12. 12Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation.
  13. 13Instruct medical staff or students in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures or equipment operation.
  14. 14Explain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to patients, patient representatives, or family members.
  15. 15Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals.
  16. 16Comfort patients during exams, or request sedatives or other medication from physicians for patients with anxiety or claustrophobia.
  17. 17Calibrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) console or peripheral hardware.
  18. 18Troubleshoot technical issues related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or peripheral equipment, such as monitors or coils.
  19. 19Connect physiological leads to physiological acquisition control (PAC) units.
  20. 20Attach physiological monitoring leads to patient's finger, chest, waist, or other body parts.
  21. 21Operate optical systems to capture dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, such as functional brain imaging, real-time organ motion tracking, or musculoskeletal anatomy and trajectory visualization.
  22. 22Conduct inventories to maintain stock of clinical supplies.
  23. 23Develop or otherwise produce film records of magnetic resonance images.
  24. 24Schedule appointments for research subjects or clinical patients.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • MRI Tech
  • MRI Specialist
  • MRI Coordinator
  • Travel MRI Tech
  • MRI Radiographer
  • MRI Technologist
  • MRI QA Coordinator
  • Imaging Technologist
  • Research MRI Technologist
  • MRI Special Procedures Technologist

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationAssociate's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Physics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
BiologyDraws directly on Medicine and Dentistry — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Customer and Personal Service84%
  • English Language80%

    English

  • Physics79%

    Physics

  • Computers and Electronics73%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Public Safety and Security70%
  • Medicine and Dentistry70%

    BiologyChemistry

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
  • Leading or coordinating othersVery high
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentEvery day

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

13%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Growing role in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not Malaysian. Shown because it's the only forward-looking demand estimate we have for this job.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Medical Laboratory Technologist

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org