Clinical, administrative or managerial – where will your journey take you?

Here are just some of the fantastic opportunities in MRI. Click on the cogs below to learn more.

Diagnostic Radiographer Level 6 Apprenticeship

This is an on the job training approach to obtaining registration as a Diagnostic Radiographer. It is suitable for anyone interested in becoming a radiographer whilst earning a salary with a particular interest in working within MRI.

The 3-year apprenticeship is provided by a Higher Education Institute supported by time in clinical practice and on clinical placement to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience to meet the required standards. 20% of the job role is made up of on the job training where dedicated time is provided to complete required learning provided by the course provider as well as conditional content provided by InHealth.

You will spend time working within your allocated MRI department, initially in the role of support worker, and progressing through to assistant practitioner. We will also organise placements in different areas of the organisation or local NHS Trust sites, where you will gain exposure to different imaging modalities and develop core radiographic skills beyond that of MRI.

Entry Requirements

A-Level BBC (112 UCAS points) with B in a science subject or BTEC DMM BTEC (extended diploma) in a science/healthcare related subject

GCSE Grade C or 4 or equivalent Maths and English (with certification)

Prior learning and experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Please note that current employees who do not have A-Levels or an equivalent qualification may be eligible if they have proven experience within a healthcare setting of 5+ years, including HCAs, Healthcare Support Workers and Clinical Assistants. If you do not have this experience then we would recommend undertaking an Access to Higher Education course in a healthcare subject. Click here for the UWE course overview.

MRI Trainee Programme

This programme supports training for registered diagnostic radiographers who wish to specialise in MRI scanning. It is suitable for those newly qualified and looking to fast track their career into the modality, or those with prior experience looking to specialise.

The training itself is predominantly competency-based with the necessary skills acquired on the job under the oversight of local teams and a practice educator. To support the knowledge and understanding behind this a structured training programme is provided comprising of both resources for self-directed learning and interactive sessions, either in person or online.

The programme is approved by the Society and College of Radiographers and provides underpinning knowledge to support the commencement of a Post Graduate Certificate.

During the initial 3 months, you will be supernumerary in practice with allocated time for study whilst you acquire your core competencies. Next, you will begin to work as a recognised member of the rostered team whilst you build your experience and acquire additional scanning competencies needed to demonstrate a foundational level of knowledge and skill. On average this takes around 9 months to complete, followed by an ongoing development plan and attainment of the title of MR Radiographer.

Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Practice

This is a Masters level certificate in collaboration with the University of the West of England (UWE). It is comprised of 3 modules and gives academic credits for prior learning and experience. As a result, there is limited teaching beyond what is provided in the MRI Fundamentals programme, but additional physics support for those needing a refresher can be given.

The course includes

15 credit technical module
based on prior learning and a case report evidencing understanding of MRI principles

15 credit evidenced based learning
based on a series of web blogs to develop criticality skills at masters level

30 credit fundamentals
a portfolio of evidence to support competence and a 3000 word case study

The course timeframe is normally around 18months. Existing employees can express an interest via your line manager or the talent development team.

Advanced MRI Course

This two-day course is aimed at those with some experience working within MRI and having completed Fundamental Competency. It is relevant to those working in departments where a variety of more specialist examinations are performed, and who may be new to more advanced applications within the body or looking for a refresher on current specialist techniques.

The programme provides content on advanced MRI techniques, specialist clinical applications within the body, and an overview of developments in MRI. All of which provide formal teaching support to help completion of more specialist competency assessments. Following the taught content, further reading materials are shared for self-directed reading and additional resources for continuing professional development beyond attendance.

The course is CPD NOW endorsed and supports the following outcomes:

IV Cannulation and Contrast Administration

The aim of the College of Radiographers Certificate of Competence in Administering Intravenous Injection (IV) is for you to develop knowledge and understanding of safe intravenous administration and apply these skills within your clinical environment.

If you are a registered professional working within or as part of the radiography workforce who would benefit from this role development opportunity due to clinical demand, then this course is suitable for you.

You will be provided with access to an online learning environment consisting of subject specific vodcasts and reading materials which aim to enhance and underpin the knowledge and experience gained during the IV course.

Upon successful completion of both the theoretical and practical aspects of this one day course, a certificate will be issued by the College of Radiographers. Please note that a non-accredited version of this course is also available for HCAs, Clinical Assistants and Nurses.

Existing employees can find a schedule of course dates on iLearn under Professional Development Courses.

Preliminary Clinical Evaluation (PCE)

Due to the remote nature of many static departments and the mobile service, many MRI radiographers rarely see a radiologist or gain feedback on scans and reports.

This two-part, virtual event aimed at radiographers, offers an overview of interpreting MR images of the spine (part 1) and brain (part 2). It provides a review of normal and abnormal appearances that will help radiographers ensure that they are providing the necessary images for the radiologists and correct demonstration of the area. The events will also cover how to identify red flag symptoms, manage urgent findings and when to escalate.

Educational aims

Internal CPD Resources

Our MRI clinical lead has created and uploaded a series of webinars split into two channels, and topics include but are not limited to Artificial Intelligence in MRI, Upright MRI, Principles of noise and ear protections and Practical SAR Management. Current employees can access these via iLearn under ‘MRI Webinars’ in the MRI Training Courses category:

External CPD Resources

There are a huge range of free and paid-for resources available if you research them, but our MRI Clinical Lead has collated some recommended sites below.

The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine offers a range of video resources looking at MRI in different body areas and key aspects of physics.

IMAIOS offer an interactive step by step course on MRI.

Those of us oldies may remember the book, but Questions and Answers in Magnetic Resonance Imaging has been updated and is readily accessible online.

Another useful physics site is MRI Shark.

Metrasens are a ferromagnetic metal detector manufacturer who deliver live webinars around MRI safety on a regular basis and these recordings are made readily available afterwards.

Applied Radiology is a US based website providing online educational resources which offer high-quality interactive learning experiences. Many of these are chargeable but some free access content is available.

Practice Educator

This is an online course covering ‘What is a PE’, ‘Mentoring’, ‘Learning Styles’, ‘Feedback’ and ‘Evaluating Performance’. Each module comprises a 30-45min tutorial, along with an accompanying workbook to record notes. Self-assessment tools are also included for self-reflection and development.

MRI Competency Assessor

This course comprises 2 of the modules from the Practice Educator course. These are ‘Feedback’ and ‘Evaluating Performance’. Each module comprises a 30-45min tutorial, along with an accompanying workbook to record notes. Self-assessment tools are also included for self-reflection and development.

These modules provide the foundations for assessing competency in an objective, fair and consistent manner in line with the competency and performance framework.

The process for course completion and qualification is:

British Institute of Radiology

InHealth holds a corporate membership with the BIR which is the international membership organisation for everyone working in imaging, radiation oncology and the underlying sciences.

As part of our membership, we automatically register all qualified Radiographers with the BIR when they join InHealth – if you are an existing employee you will have access and receive correspondence on a regular basis.

Through this membership, you will have access to a significant number of resources including articles, videos, podcasts and e-learning, as well as live events that you can book. It also opens a large network of other professionals that you can tap into.

Existing employees should contact the Talent Development team for any queries.