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Mri special procedures technologist vs x-ray technician

The differences between mri special procedures technologists and x-ray technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an mri special procedures technologist and an x-ray technician. Additionally, an mri special procedures technologist has an average salary of $67,491, which is higher than the $51,642 average annual salary of an x-ray technician.

The top three skills for an mri special procedures technologist include patients, BLS and ARRT. The most important skills for an x-ray technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.

Mri special procedures technologist vs x-ray technician overview

MRI Special Procedures TechnologistX-Ray Technician
Yearly salary$67,491$51,642
Hourly rate$32.45$24.83
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs62,21460,780
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 57%Associate Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does an mri special procedures technologist do?

MRI special procedures technologists operate medical diagnostic imaging equipment such as computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They also help with imaging procedures like angiography and cardiac catheterization (CC). In this position, they work in conjunction with a radiologist. They work directly with patients to educate them on what to expect and help them get comfortable for the procedure. They also administer drugs to patients that will help improve contrast for the imaging procedure.

What does an x-ray technician do?

The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.

Mri special procedures technologist vs x-ray technician salary

Mri special procedures technologists and x-ray technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

MRI Special Procedures TechnologistX-Ray Technician
Average salary$67,491$51,642
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $135,000Between $32,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CityCarmichael, CAFresno, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyHca Hospital Services Of San DiegoStability Healthcare
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between mri special procedures technologist and x-ray technician education

There are a few differences between an mri special procedures technologist and an x-ray technician in terms of educational background:

MRI Special Procedures TechnologistX-Ray Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 57%Associate Degree, 62%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaTexas A&M University

Mri special procedures technologist vs x-ray technician demographics

Here are the differences between mri special procedures technologists' and x-ray technicians' demographics:

MRI Special Procedures TechnologistX-Ray Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 44.5% Female, 55.5%Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%10%

Differences between mri special procedures technologist and x-ray technician duties and responsibilities

Mri special procedures technologist example responsibilities.

  • Achieve professional certification from the ARRT in the modality of compute tomography.
  • Assist with the development and installation of the Kodak Pacs system.
  • Perform cardiac/coronary compute tomography examinations.
  • Assist in laser seminars and lectures present to visiting faculty and physicians from the breadth of the Americas.
  • Perform cardiac/coronary compute tomography examinations.

X-ray technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day operation of PACS equipment including image archiving.
  • Train personnel in triage, first aid, and CPR.
  • Put patients into rooms, pull charts, and learned EMR as the office transition to electronic records.
  • Input patient information in to the EMR, room patients, assist the doctor in all in office procedures.
  • Provide mobile x-rays and EKG's for nursing homes, state hospital, and patients unable to leave their homes.
  • Produce quality images using c-arm during surgical procedures.
  • Show more

Mri special procedures technologist vs x-ray technician skills

Common mri special procedures technologist skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • BLS, 12%
  • ARRT, 11%
  • Exam, 6%
  • Radiation Safety, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
Common x-ray technician skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • ARRT, 9%
  • Radiologic Technologist, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Pacs, 3%

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