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.
U.S. Workers
41,530
Median Salary
$88,180
10-Year Growth
+7.1%
Annual Openings
2,600
Typical entry: Associate's degree
17 of 23 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Explain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to patients, patient representatives, or family members.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can fully explain MRI procedures to patients using automated chat or voice systems, providing standardized, clear information and answering common questions.
Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation.
AI: Fully automatable - Transferring and backing up image files is a routine, scriptable IT task that can be fully automated and scheduled via PACS/file-management systems.
Conduct inventories to maintain stock of clinical supplies.
AI: Fully automatable - Inventory tracking, restocking workflows, and predictive reorder decisions can be fully automated with barcode/RFID systems and AI-driven inventory management software.
Schedule appointments for research subjects or clinical patients.
AI: Fully automatable - Scheduling appointments is routine and already widely automated by software and AI assistants, enabling full automation of booking, reminders, and rescheduling workflows.
Develop or otherwise produce film records of magnetic resonance images.
AI: Fully automatable - Producing film or printed records from MRI data is a deterministic digital‑to‑print workflow that can be automated end‑to‑end by imaging software and printing hardware.
Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images.
AI: Partial - AI decision-support systems can recommend appropriate imaging techniques and coils for routine exams, but complex or atypical cases still require human judgment.
Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners.
AI: Partial - AI can automate protocol planning and monitor scans, but cannot fully replace a technician's hands-on operation and real-time patient safety management of MRI scanners.
Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos.
AI: Partial - AI can conduct pre-screening interviews via questionnaires or chatbots and flag contraindications, but cannot perform physical verification or replace clinician judgment.
Take brief medical histories from patients.
AI: Partial - AI chatbots and digital questionnaires can collect structured brief medical histories reliably, but they miss nonverbal cues, complex nuance, and require human oversight for consent and safety.
Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera.
AI: Partial - Automated quality-control algorithms can detect many image artifacts and quality issues from scanner output, but integrating physical inspection with scanner/laser-camera hardware and uncommon failure modes still needs human involvement.
Troubleshoot technical issues related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or peripheral equipment, such as monitors or coils.
AI: Partial - AI can diagnose common error codes, suggest steps, and guide technicians remotely, but complex hardware troubleshooting and physical repairs still require human technicians.
Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals.
AI: Partial - AI can generate structured procedural and findings notes from metadata and templates, but clinical nuance, accountability, and final sign-off typically require a human technologist or physician.
Test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to ensure proper functioning and performance in accordance with specifications.
AI: Partial - Automated test sequences and analysis of phantom scans can be performed by software, but setup, interpretation of edge-case results, and some physical checks still need human action.
Calibrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) console or peripheral hardware.
AI: Partial - Some calibration steps can be automated or guided by software, but full calibration of consoles and peripheral hardware often requires manual adjustments and human verification.
Instruct medical staff or students in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures or equipment operation.
AI: Partial - AI can provide instructional content, simulations, and step-by-step guidance effectively, yet hands-on training, assessment of practical skills, and nuance in teaching remain human responsibilities.
Operate 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.
AI: Partial - AI can assist with sequence optimization, real-time reconstruction, and parameter recommendations for dynamic MRI but cannot fully replace a trained technologist's real‑time control and clinical decision‑making during acquisition.
Request sedatives or other medication from physicians for patients with anxiety or claustrophobia.
AI: Partial - AI can draft requests, triage anxiety/claustrophobia cases, and recommend when to involve a physician, but it cannot legally or autonomously request sedatives or controlled medications on behalf of clinicians.
Inject intravenously contrast dyes, such as gadolinium contrast, in accordance with scope of practice.
AI: Not automatable - Injecting intravenous contrast is a hands-on clinical procedure requiring certified practitioners and manual skill that AI cannot perform autonomously.
Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging.
AI: Not automatable - Positioning patients and attaching immobilization devices requires physical handling and situational awareness that AI alone cannot provide.
Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise.
AI: Not automatable - Providing headphones or earplugs is a physical task requiring human (or robotic) presence and cannot be done by AI alone.
Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head.
AI: Not automatable - Placing and securing portable MRI scanners or coils requires hands‑on patient positioning, tactile feedback, and safety checks that AI cannot autonomously perform in typical clinical settings.
Attach physiological monitoring leads to patient's finger, chest, waist, or other body parts.
AI: Not automatable - Attaching physiological monitoring leads is a hands-on physical task requiring human touch and patient interaction that AI systems cannot perform in typical 2025 clinical settings.
Connect physiological leads to physiological acquisition control (PAC) units.
AI: Not automatable - Physically connecting physiological leads to PAC units is a hands‑on task requiring bedside access and manual dexterity that AI systems cannot perform autonomously as of 2025.