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Mri technologist vs monitor technician

The differences between mri technologists and monitor 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 technologist and a monitor technician. Additionally, an mri technologist has an average salary of $77,257, which is higher than the $35,460 average annual salary of a monitor technician.

The top three skills for an mri technologist include patients, ARRT and magnetic resonance imaging. The most important skills for a monitor technician are patients, EKG, and BLS.

Mri technologist vs monitor technician overview

MRI TechnologistMonitor Technician
Yearly salary$77,257$35,460
Hourly rate$37.14$17.05
Growth rate6%10%
Number of jobs53,12556,963
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does an mri technologist do?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologists are medical professionals who manage everything involved in the MRI machine. They operate the machines to get scans of the patients' brain, spinal cord, or muscles, which would help doctors identify or diagnose clients' illnesses and diseases. They help the patients prepare for the MRI scans and ensure that they are properly protected. They also carefully take direction from attending physicians to ensure that they scan the correct body part needed for the diagnosis. MRI technologists are also in charge of maintaining the MRI machine and working on repairs whenever needed.

What does a monitor technician do?

A monitor technician works in hospitals and other health care centers that provide treatment relating to heart health. They are also known as cardiac monitor technicians, who assist physicians and nurses with diagnosing and interpreting conditions related to the heart through several methods of monitoring and testing. Most of their work includes using machines and other medical technology in tracking patients' heart performance and check for any possible abnormalities. They monitor irregular heartbeats, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. They also use this technology to perform various tests on the heart but typically do not provide treatment.

Mri technologist vs monitor technician salary

Mri technologists and monitor technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

MRI TechnologistMonitor Technician
Average salary$77,257$35,460
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $138,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityModesto, CAMedford, OR
Highest paying stateCaliforniaUtah
Best paying companySiemens HealthineersMLK Community Healthcare
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between mri technologist and monitor technician education

There are a few differences between an mri technologist and a monitor technician in terms of educational background:

MRI TechnologistMonitor Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common collegeTexas A&M UniversityDuke University

Mri technologist vs monitor technician demographics

Here are the differences between mri technologists' and monitor technicians' demographics:

MRI TechnologistMonitor Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 43.6% Female, 56.4%Male, 34.7% Female, 65.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage12%8%

Differences between mri technologist and monitor technician duties and responsibilities

Mri technologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and direct the ALARA program for the diagnostic imaging flight.
  • Contribute significantly to department's continuous quality improvement process; achieve ACR certification.
  • Position patients with superb quality care, professional courtesy & compassion.
  • Register, image, process, QC, and finalize all patient exams for specialist and radiologist review.
  • Perform routine MRI procedures, maintain daily QA, computer documentation, & screen patients for MRI safety.
  • Obtain and record weight, height, temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and document in EMR system.
  • Show more

Monitor technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Operate electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac treadmill testing equipment and record data.
  • Administer care to patients in a LATC setting, support with ambulation and rehabilitation procedure.
  • Ensure telemetry boxes are returned from the floors when patients are discharge or transfer to ICU.
  • Work in a very large hospital system doing EEG's on premature infants to geriatric patients.
  • Monitor heart rhythm patterns, record and report normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns and ECG interval measurements utilizing telemetry equipment.
  • Show more

Mri technologist vs monitor technician skills

Common mri technologist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • ARRT, 11%
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 10%
  • Radiology, 8%
  • Magnetic Resonance, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
Common monitor technician skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • EKG, 12%
  • BLS, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Cardiac Rhythms, 6%
  • Arrhythmia, 4%

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