6 free MRI technologist (MRI tech) templates for imaging centers and small practices: staff, outpatient, lead, small business, mobile, and entry-level, with the ARRT/ARMRIT credentialing and state-license guidance the generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
An MRI technologist runs the scanner that produces the detailed images physicians rely on, and keeps everyone safe around one of the strongest magnets in medicine. Most work in hospitals, but a real and often overlooked share of the job market sits in independent outpatient imaging centers and physician practices, the kind of five-to-fifty-person businesses that hire without an HR department and have to run the whole process themselves.
This page is built for that setting. The six templates below cover a staff technologist, an outpatient or independent imaging center, a lead or senior role, a small business with no HR, a mobile MRI tech, and an entry-level hire, each with the duties, the ARRT and ARMRIT credentialing notes, and the non-exempt hourly classification that the generic templates gloss over. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.
TL;DR
MRI tech and MRI technologist are the same role (federal occupation 29-2035), so write one posting. The job is non-exempt and hourly, with overtime, and requires ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification plus a state license in some states (NY, NJ, TX, CA, WA) and ongoing CE (24 credits every two years). Median pay is about $88,180 a year (May 2024), with outpatient centers paying notably more. Most techs work in hospitals, but independent outpatient imaging centers are a genuine small-business segment. Download six templates as DOCX, by setting.
What an MRI Technologist Does
An MRI technologist operates magnetic resonance imaging equipment to produce diagnostic images, while keeping patients and staff safe in a high-magnetic-field environment. The work runs from screening and preparing patients through running imaging protocols to reviewing image quality and documenting the exam.
The federal occupation is 29-2035 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, distinct from general radiologic technologists who work with X-ray and other modalities. MRI safety is a defining responsibility: because the magnet is always on, the technologist screens every patient for implants and contraindications and controls who enters the magnet room.
MRI Tech vs MRI Technologist
These are not two different jobs. MRI tech, MRI technologist, and MRI technician all name the same role, and you only need one job posting to cover them.
Term
What it means
Use it when
MRI Technologist
The formal title used by BLS and certifying bodies
Formal postings, official documents
MRI Tech
Common shorthand for the same role
Casual postings, job boards
MRI Technician
Interchangeable variant, slightly less formal
Treated the same by candidates and search
Radiologic Technologist
A different, broader role (X-ray and other imaging)
Not the same job; separate occupation and credential
The practical point: pick one title, write one posting, and vary it by setting and seniority instead. An MRI technologist is a distinct role from a general radiologic technologist, who has a separate occupation code and certification, so do not merge those two.
MRI Tech Duties and Responsibilities
MRI technologist duties cluster into four areas: imaging and equipment, MRI safety, patient care, and records and compliance. The balance shifts by setting, but every version of the role covers all four.
Imaging and equipment
Operate the MRI scanner for diagnostic exams
Select and run the right imaging protocols
Review images for quality and repeat as needed
MRI safety
Screen every patient for contraindications
Control access to MRI safety zones
Screen everyone entering the magnet room
Patient care
Explain procedures and position patients
Administer contrast where qualified and ordered
Monitor patient comfort and safety
Records and compliance
Document exams accurately
Maintain patient privacy and records
Keep certification, license, and CE current
Safety screening is the responsibility that sets MRI apart from other imaging: the magnet is always on, so the technologist screens every patient and controls the magnet room. For a structured way to scope the role before posting, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by your setting and the seniority of the role. The core structure is the same across all six, but each emphasizes the duties, credentials, and context that fit a specific kind of MRI hire.
Staff MRI Technologist
Hospital / large facility
The baseline version for a staff technologist at a hospital or larger facility: full duties, safety screening, and the non-exempt hourly classification. Start here and adapt.
Outpatient / Imaging Center
Independent (SMB)
For an independent outpatient imaging center where the technologist owns the MRI workflow day to day, with a predictable schedule and a small team. The core small-business version.
Lead / Senior
Supervisory
For a lead or senior technologist who combines scanning with mentoring, scheduling, and safety-program ownership. Includes a classification note for the supervisory mix.
Small Business / No HR
Owner-run hire
For a physician-owned practice or small center without an HR department, with a built-in hiring checklist covering credentials, the offer, and onboarding.
Mobile MRI Tech
Multi-site
For a mobile MRI unit serving multiple sites, with multi-state licensing notes and the logistics of scanning safely at client facilities.
Entry-Level
Newly certified
For a newly certified technologist building experience, with a note on the ARRT(MR) versus ARMRIT entry pathways common in outpatient hiring.
Match the Setting, Not the Spelling
Hospital or larger facility: Staff. Independent or outpatient imaging center: Outpatient. A lead who scans and supervises: Lead / Senior. A physician-owned practice with no HR: Small Business. A mobile unit serving multiple sites: Mobile. A newly certified hire: Entry-Level. Do not write separate postings for tech versus technologist; they are the same role.
6 Free MRI Tech Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: facility overview, position summary, key responsibilities, required and preferred qualifications, a setting-specific note, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Staff, outpatient, lead, small business, mobile, and entry-level MRI technologist. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Staff MRI Technologist (Hospital / Large Facility)
The baseline version for a staff technologist at a hospital or larger facility: full duties, safety screening, and the non-exempt hourly classification. Start here and adapt.
MRI Technologist Job Description (Staff)
MRI TECHNOLOGIST JOB DESCRIPTION (STAFF)
Employer: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Lead MRI Technologist / Imaging Supervisor]
Compensation: $______ per hour [+ shift differential + benefits]
ABOUT [EMPLOYER NAME]
[One or two sentences about your facility, the imaging you provide, and the team
this MRI technologist will join.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Employer Name] is hiring an MRI Technologist to operate magnetic resonance
imaging equipment, produce high-quality diagnostic images, and ensure patient
safety in the MRI environment. You will prepare and position patients, run
imaging protocols, and work with radiologists and referring providers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Operate MRI equipment to capture high-quality diagnostic images
•Screen patients for MRI safety and contraindications before every scan
•Explain procedures to patients and position them correctly
•Select and run the appropriate imaging protocols
•Administer contrast (for example, gadolinium) where qualified and ordered
•Maintain strict MRI safety zone controls and screen everyone entering
•Review images for quality and repeat sequences as needed
•Document exams accurately and maintain patient records
•Keep equipment clean and report any malfunctions
•Follow all safety, privacy, and infection-control protocols
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification
•State license where required (for example, NY, NJ, TX, CA, WA)
•Current BLS / CPR certification
•Knowledge of MRI safety and screening procedures
•Ability to position and assist patients, including lifting
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Prior MRI experience in a clinical setting
•Venipuncture and contrast-administration competency
•Experience with the scanner models your facility uses
•Strong patient-care and communication skills
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $______ per hour [+ shift differential + benefits]
This is a non-exempt, hourly position eligible for overtime.
To apply, send your resume and proof of certification to __.
[Employer Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: MRI Tech for Outpatient / Independent Imaging Center
For an independent outpatient imaging center where the technologist owns the MRI workflow day to day, with a predictable schedule and a small team. The core small-business version.
MRI Tech for Outpatient / Independent Imaging Center
For a lead or senior technologist who combines scanning with mentoring, scheduling, and safety-program ownership. Includes a classification note for the supervisory mix.
Lead / Senior MRI Technologist Job Description
LEAD / SENIOR MRI TECHNOLOGIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Employer: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: [Imaging Manager / Director]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Non-exempt unless duties meet an exemption (confirm classification)
Compensation: $______ per hour [+ benefits]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Employer Name] is hiring a Lead / Senior MRI Technologist to combine hands-on
imaging with day-to-day leadership of the MRI team. You will scan patients, set
the standard for image quality and safety, and guide and schedule other
technologists.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Perform MRI exams and produce high-quality diagnostic images
•Lead and mentor MRI technologists and set quality standards
•Build and manage technologist schedules and coverage
•Own MRI safety program compliance and screening protocols
•Coordinate complex or difficult cases
•Support protocol development with radiologists
•Track team credential, CE, and competency status
•Help onboard and train new technologists
•Maintain equipment quality and escalate issues
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification
•State license where required
•Current BLS / CPR certification
•Several years of MRI experience
•Demonstrated leadership or charge-tech experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Prior lead, charge, or supervisory role
•Advanced MRI applications experience
•Experience training or onboarding staff
•Familiarity with quality and accreditation programs
NOTE ON CLASSIFICATION
Most MRI technologist roles are non-exempt and hourly. A lead or senior role may
or may not change that. Classification depends on the actual duties and salary,
not the title, so confirm exempt versus non-exempt status before posting.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $______ per hour [+ benefits]
To apply, send your resume and certification details to __.
[Employer Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: MRI Tech for a Small Business / No HR Department
For a physician-owned practice or small center without an HR department, with a built-in hiring checklist covering credentials, the offer, and onboarding.
MRI Tech Job Description for a Small Business / No HR Department
MRI TECHNOLOGIST JOB DESCRIPTION (SMALL BUSINESS / NO HR DEPARTMENT)
[Employer Name] is hiring an Entry-Level MRI Technologist who is newly certified
and ready to build clinical experience. Working alongside experienced
technologists, you will scan patients, learn our protocols, and grow into full
independent practice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Operate the MRI scanner under guidance to produce quality images
•Screen patients for MRI safety before every scan
•Prepare, position, and care for patients
•Learn and follow facility imaging protocols
•Maintain MRI safety zones and screening
•Document exams accurately
•Build competency toward independent scanning
•Keep equipment clean and report issues
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification (recent graduates welcome)
•State license where required
•Current BLS / CPR certification
•Strong willingness to learn and follow safety protocols
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Clinical rotations or internship in MRI
•Familiarity with MRI safety screening
•Patient-care experience in any setting
NOTE ON CERTIFICATION PATHWAYS
Many new MRI technologists enter through one of two paths: the ARRT(MR)
post-primary route (a radiography R.T. who adds the MRI credential) or the ARMRIT
direct-entry route into MRI. Both are valid; state your requirement clearly,
since the ARMRIT direct-entry path is common in outpatient and small-practice
hiring.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $______ per hour [+ benefits]
This is a non-exempt, hourly position eligible for overtime.
To apply, send your resume and proof of certification to __.
[Employer Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Credentialing and State Licensure
Credentialing is where an MRI hire gets specific, and where the generic templates fall short. Get these four things right in the posting and the onboarding, and you avoid the most common and most expensive MRI hiring mistakes.
ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification
Almost every employer requires national certification. There are two main paths. ARRT(MR) is a post-primary route: a technologist first earns the ARRT credential in radiography, then adds MRI through structured education and clinical competencies. ARMRIT is a direct-entry route into MRI without a prior radiography credential, and it is common in outpatient and small-practice hiring. State your requirement plainly, and accept both unless you have a reason not to.
Continuing education (CE)
ARRT-registered technologists must earn 24 approved continuing education credits each biennium, a two-year cycle, to keep their credential active, with a continuing qualifications requirement every ten years. ARMRIT has its own recertification cycle. CE lapses can put a credential on hold, which means the technologist cannot practice, so tracking CE deadlines is a real operational task, not a formality.
State license (only some states)
A national certification is not always enough. A handful of states require a separate state license to perform MRI, including New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, and Washington, often through a radiologic technology or health board. Other states require only certification, and some do not regulate MRI specifically. Check your own state's current rules before posting, since requirements change.
BLS / CPR and competencies
Most employers require current Basic Life Support or CPR certification, often within ninety days of hire, and many add a venipuncture competency check-off where the technologist administers contrast. Build these into your offer and onboarding so a new hire is cleared to scan on schedule.
A Lapsed Credential Can Sideline Your Only Tech
For a small imaging center, the technologist is often the only person who can run the scanner. If an ARRT or ARMRIT credential, a state license, or a CE deadline lapses, that person cannot legally practice, and the center cannot scan. Track every certification, license, and CE deadline from the first day of employment, not the week it expires.
State rules change, so verify current requirements with your state board before posting. The ARRT continuing education rules set the 24-credit biennium standard, and a clear job description names the exact certification and license you require.
MRI Technologist Pay and FLSA
MRI technologists are paid hourly and are eligible for overtime, with pay varying significantly by setting. Benchmark to your specific environment rather than a single national number.
Median About $88,180 a Year (BLS)
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists had a median wage of $88,180 a year as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest 10 percent under $64,910 and the highest 10 percent over $121,420 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). A more recent data release has put the median somewhat higher, so confirm current figures when you benchmark. Employment is about 44,100, with MRI-specific employment projected to grow about 7 percent through 2034.
Setting drives a real gap: outpatient care centers reported a median around $128,290, well above hospitals near $89,100, while medical and diagnostic laboratories and physician offices ran lower. That outpatient premium is a hiring advantage for an independent imaging center. The role is non-exempt under the FLSA, so set an hourly range, add any shift differential, and include a good-faith range where pay transparency is required. The EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, so keep the posting neutral. For more on the classification, the exempt versus non-exempt guide explains the test.
Hiring an MRI Tech for an Imaging Center
The MRI hire turns on three things the generic templates skip: that tech and technologist are one role, that independent imaging centers are the real small-business segment, and that the job is hourly with ongoing credentialing. Here is what matters.
MRI tech and MRI technologist are the same role, so write one posting
The terms MRI tech, MRI technologist, and MRI technician all describe the same job, tracked federally as 29-2035 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists. Candidates and search engines treat them interchangeably, so you do not need separate postings for each phrasing. Pick one title, MRI Technologist is the formal term and MRI Tech is the common short form, and use it consistently. The variations that actually matter are by setting and seniority: staff versus outpatient versus lead versus mobile, which is how the templates on this page are organized.
Independent imaging centers are the real small-business segment
Most MRI technologists work in hospitals (about 59 percent), which are not small businesses, and a large share of the active job market runs through travel and staffing agencies that a small employer is not competing with. But there is a genuine small-business segment: independent and outpatient imaging centers. Industry data describes a large, fragmented field of diagnostic imaging centers averaging around nine to ten employees each, which lands squarely in the five-to-fifty range, plus physician practices that own their own MRI. Outpatient settings also tend to pay above the hospital median, which helps a small center compete for talent. If that is you, the outpatient and small-business templates on this page are written for your situation.
The role is hourly and non-exempt, and credentialing is ongoing
An MRI technologist is almost always a non-exempt, hourly position that is eligible for overtime. The Department of Labor has long held that radiology technologists do not meet the learned professional exemption, because the role does not require an advanced academic degree of the kind that exemption is built around, so plan to pay hourly and track overtime. Just as important, certification is not a one-time checkbox: ARRT requires 24 CE credits every two years, some states require a license renewal, and BLS or CPR and contrast competencies expire too. For a small center without HR, missing a renewal date can sideline your only technologist, so set up credential and CE tracking from the first day. This is general information, not legal advice.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same role becomes the basis for the offer, credential verification, and a structured onboarding, which matters most for an independent imaging center hiring without an HR department. A repeatable process saves the owner time and protects the center from a lapsed credential.
Send the offer
Confirm the hourly, non-exempt pay rate, shift, and start date in writing, and have the offer letter signed by e-signature before day one.
Verify credentials
Check ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification, any required state license, and current BLS or CPR before the first scan.
Track renewals
Record certification, state license, and CE deadlines (24 credits per biennium) so nothing lapses and sidelines your technologist.
Onboard for safety
Run MRI safety screening training, contrast protocols, and facility competencies, with signed forms stored in one place.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the hourly terms, and an onboarding template gives the new technologist a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, e-signatures, new-hire paperwork, and onboarding workflow in one place, with document management for signed forms and a way to record certification, state license, and CE renewal dates so nothing lapses. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a clinical or imaging system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
MRI tech, MRI technologist, and MRI technician are the same role (federal occupation 29-2035); write one posting and vary it by setting.
The role is non-exempt and hourly, eligible for overtime, with a median wage of about $88,180 a year (May 2024).
Most techs work in hospitals, but independent outpatient imaging centers are a genuine small-business segment, often hiring without HR.
Certification is required: ARRT(MR) post-primary or ARMRIT direct-entry, the latter common in outpatient and small-practice hiring.
A few states (NY, NJ, TX, CA, WA) require an MRI or radiologic license on top of certification; verify your state's current rules.
Track certification, state license, BLS or CPR, and CE deadlines (24 credits every two years) from day one, since a lapse stops the center from scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an MRI technologist do?
An MRI technologist operates magnetic resonance imaging equipment to produce detailed diagnostic images of the inside of the body, which radiologists and referring physicians use to diagnose and monitor conditions. The work centers on four areas: running the scanner and the right imaging protocols, screening every patient for MRI safety because the strong magnet makes certain implants and metal dangerous, caring for and positioning patients including administering contrast where qualified, and keeping accurate records. MRI safety is a defining part of the role: the technologist controls access to the magnet room and screens everyone who enters, not just patients. The federal occupation is 29-2035 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, and the same job is called MRI tech, MRI technologist, or MRI technician interchangeably.
Is MRI tech the same as MRI technologist?
Yes. MRI tech, MRI technologist, and MRI technician all describe the same role, and employers, candidates, and search engines treat the terms interchangeably. MRI Technologist is the formal title used by the federal occupation classification (29-2035) and the certifying bodies, while MRI Tech is the common shorthand. When you write a job posting, pick one title and use it consistently rather than creating separate postings for each phrasing. The differences that actually matter are by work setting and seniority, such as staff versus outpatient versus lead versus mobile, which is how the templates on this page are organized. Note that an MRI technologist is distinct from a general radiologic technologist, who works with X-ray and other imaging and has a separate occupation code and certification.
Is an MRI technologist exempt or non-exempt from overtime?
An MRI technologist is almost always non-exempt, meaning the role is paid hourly and is eligible for overtime. The Department of Labor has long taken the position that radiology technologists do not qualify for the learned professional exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act, because the role does not require advanced knowledge of the kind acquired through a prolonged course of specialized academic instruction at the level that exemption contemplates, even though it requires substantial training and certification. As a result, you should plan to pay an MRI technologist on an hourly basis and track and pay overtime. As always, classification depends on the actual duties and pay of the specific role rather than the job title, and a lead or supervisory role can be a closer call, so confirm any uncertain classification. This is general information, not legal advice.
What certification does an MRI technologist need?
Most employers require national MRI certification through one of two paths. The first is ARRT(MR), offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, which is a post-primary credential: the technologist first becomes ARRT-certified in radiography, then adds MRI through structured education and documented clinical competencies. The second is ARMRIT, the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, which is a direct-entry path into MRI without a prior radiography credential and is common in outpatient and small-practice settings. Both are widely accepted, so unless you have a specific reason, accept either. Beyond certification, most employers require current BLS or CPR certification and, where contrast is administered, a venipuncture competency. A handful of states also require a separate state license. This is general information, not legal advice.
Which states require an MRI license?
Most states do not require an MRI-specific license beyond national certification, but a handful do. States that require a license or registration to perform MRI or radiologic technology include New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, and Washington, typically administered through a state radiologic technology or health board; Washington, for example, recognizes the ARMRIT credential. Some states regulate radiologic technology broadly in a way that reaches MRI, while others require only certification, and a number of states do not regulate MRI specifically at all. Because requirements differ by state and change over time, always verify your own state's current rules with the relevant board before posting and hiring, and require the appropriate license in the job description where it applies. For a mobile role crossing state lines, confirm licensure for every state on the route. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does an MRI technologist make?
MRI technologists are paid hourly, and pay varies by setting and region. The median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $88,180 as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest 10 percent under $64,910 and the highest 10 percent over $121,420; a more recent data release has put the median somewhat higher, so check current figures when you benchmark. Setting matters: outpatient care centers reported a notably higher median, around $128,290, than hospitals near $89,100, medical and diagnostic laboratories near $87,270, and offices of physicians near $83,970. That outpatient premium can help an independent imaging center compete for talent. For a posting, set an hourly range benchmarked to your setting and region, add any shift differential, and include a good-faith range where your state or city requires pay transparency. This is general information, not legal advice.
Who hires MRI technologists, and is it ever a small business?
MRI technologists work mostly in hospitals, which account for about 59 percent of the role's employment, followed by medical and diagnostic laboratories, offices of physicians, and outpatient care centers. A significant share of the active job market also runs through travel and per-diem staffing agencies. But a genuine small-business segment exists: independent and outpatient imaging centers. Industry data describes a large, fragmented field of diagnostic imaging centers averaging roughly nine to ten employees each, which falls right in the small-business range, along with physician-owned practices that operate their own MRI. These small centers hire permanent staff technologists and rarely have a dedicated HR department, so the owner runs the whole hire. The outpatient and small-business templates on this page are written for exactly that situation.
What should an MRI tech job description include?
A strong MRI technologist job description starts with a clear title and a short summary of the setting, then lists the real duties grouped into imaging and equipment, MRI safety screening, patient care, and records and compliance. It states the required certification (ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT), any required state license, and current BLS or CPR, with venipuncture or contrast competency where relevant, and lists preferred experience separately. It should note the non-exempt, hourly classification and overtime eligibility, the schedule and any shift differential, and an hourly pay range, including a good-faith range where pay transparency is required. Close with an equal opportunity statement and clear instructions to apply with proof of certification. Tailoring the posting to your setting, whether staff, outpatient, lead, mobile, or entry-level, helps the right candidates apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
