MRI Technologist Training Program

Program Description

The Johns Hopkins Department of Radiology MRI Technologist Training Program is a paid, post-primary program for ARRT-registered technologists who are interested in furthering their careers in magnetic resonance imaging. Upon graduation, a two-year work commitment at any Johns Hopkins location is required.

This 6-month full-time program leads to advanced certification in the field of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging.) The Johns Hopkins Hospital and its outpatient imaging centers offer unique and unparalleled resources to ensure you learn with the latest technology and software advancements in this field.

Your time will be tailored to offer diverse and comprehensive training for success in ARRT board registry and future clinical career. Classroom courses include Anatomy, MRI physics, MRI protocols, MRI safety, and IV insertion. Clinical experiences offer interaction with a variety of patient populations including Oncology, Pediatric, In/Out-patient, Critical Care, and Trauma.

At Johns Hopkins and nationwide, MRI technologists are in increasing demand as the field continues to grow.

For additional program information, click here or contact [email protected].

Program Accreditation and Outcomes

The MRI Program is pending American Society of Radiologic Technologist approval for the upcoming year.

We are proud to have provided this opportunity to approximately a hundred students over the past fifteen years. Graduates currently average a 99% “PASS” rate of advanced certification in MRI by the ARRT.

To Apply

Meet the Program Leaders

The MRI Program is co-directed by Eileen Day and Nicole Seward. Alyson Van Meter also serves as a program instructor through her role as MRI Technical Educator at Johns Hopkins Medical Imaging. Learn more about our Program Leaders by reading their bios at the Faculty page.

Meet a Current Student – Lauren

Lauren was working as a radiology clinical assistant with another employer when she learned about Johns Hopkins’ robust tuition assistance and employee advancement resources. Eager to continue growing her skills, she applied to Johns Hopkins Medical Imaging in Bethesda. This decision would kick her career into high gear.

Radiology clinical assistants provide aid to patients and technologists, including assisting patients with getting positioned on imaging equipment. Clinical assistant candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and two years of work experience.

As a radiology clinical assistant, Lauren gained first-hand experience with patient care and found that she loved it. She relished the chance to make what may be a tough time just a bit easier for anxious patients.

“I like doing something to try to make a difference,” Lauren said, noting, “Patients are often scared. I can make them laugh; I can help brighten a scary experience.”

Eventually, she wanted to go even further in her career. She began studying to become a certified radiographer.

For Lauren, the support of her managers was crucial. She worked full-time while attending school and her supervisors at JHMI Bethesda allowed her to switch her hours so she could attend classes during the day while working in the evening. She graduated from the two-year program last June.

But Lauren was not done yet. Just months later, in February, she enrolled in Johns Hopkins’ MRI technologist training program. She will complete the full-time, paid internship program in July. “The MRI training program has been wonderful. I’ve felt very supported,” Lauren said.

“The educators are passionate,” she explained, adding, “You get the sense they really want you to succeed. It is a great learning environment.” Lauren encourages others interested in a healthcare career to consider becoming a clinical assistant at Johns Hopkins. She took the leap and found the support she needed to advance in a career she loves.

“Johns Hopkins is a place that helps you to grow,” she said, noting, “It provides the support that allows you to move upward very quickly.”

-Lauren, MRI Class of 2024

Meet a Recent Graduate – Joseph

“When Joseph first arrived in the United States from Ghana, he was determined to provide a better life for his family. He found that opportunity, and many more, as an MRI technologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

In 2018, Joseph graduated from the Radiologic Technology Program at Montgomery College. He worked as an X-ray technologist for five years before enrolling in the MRI Technologist Training Program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Joseph could not have asked for more supportive mentors. “The educators are open, dedicated and welcoming,” he said, adding, “They give us all the tools we need to be successful in MRI.”

He continued, “Things are somewhat different when you move from the world of X-ray to MRI. But the educators understand where you are coming from. They start at the bottom and are open to answering any questions.”

Joseph graduated from the program in August 2023, though he still works closely with his MRI technical educators. “Even after graduating, the educators are still available,” he said. “You can reach out to them, and they are always there to support you.”

“I have grown to love Johns Hopkins,” he said, concluding, “I have seen this place as a grounds for growth. It is a place of diversity, a place where you can come from any part of the world and succeed.”

-Joseph, MRI Class of 2023

Meet a Recent Graduate – Brooke

From an early age, Brooke felt drawn toward patient care. At Johns Hopkins, she turned that passion into a thriving career.

Brooke graduated from the Radiography program at Howard Community College in 2019, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was testing healthcare facilities across the globe. As the pandemic began to stabilize, Brooke was ready to continue developing her skills. She learned about the MRI Technologist Training Program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and decided to enroll.

As Brooke started the program, she had one specific fear that was almost immediately relieved. “My biggest worry going into the MRI program was that, after all the work I had done to become a radiographer, I would feel like a student again and not a tech,” she recalled. “But I never felt like that. Everyone was my coworker.”

The MRI Tech Training Program includes clinical and classroom experiences, where students learn on state-of-the-art equipment under the supervision of skilled experts. “The program was amazing,” Brooke said, calling the full-time, five-month program “intensive and well-prepared.”

Brooke graduated from the program in August 2023. She is currently an MRI tech at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She loves what she does – and where she does it. “I love Johns Hopkins because it offers a great quality of life for employees,” she said. “Managers and coworkers work together; there is community and camaraderie.”

For Brooke, it always comes back to her patients. “I try to make sure my patients leave with a smile,” she said. With a laugh, she added, “Nobody likes getting in a giant tin can.”

“I love what I do, “she said. “I work hard to ensure patients have a great experience.”

-Brooke, MRI Class of 2023