MRI Technical Specialist - Advanced and Research Imaging

General Summary

Serves as the principal MRI technical subject-matter expert supporting advanced imaging across clinical and research environments.

Essential Job Functions

• Serves as the principal technical subject-matter expert and escalation resource for advanced MRI imaging techniques and complex clinical examinations.
• Provides advanced technical oversight, real-time troubleshooting, and performance optimization across MRI scanners and clinical locations to ensure optimal performance and image quality.
• Collaborates with radiologists, physicists, and vendor partners to design, refine, and implement high-level MRI protocols and imaging strategies.
• Ensures enterprise-wide alignment between written MRI protocols, Epic orderables, and scanner-level builds while maintaining protocol documentation and version control to support operational consistency and reliability.
• Leads continuous optimization and standardization of MRI protocols across platforms and sites to improve reproducibility, minimize variability, and enhance overall imaging quality.
• Leads technical implementation of pediatric and investigational research MRI protocols within clinical operations.
• Conducts technical feasibility assessments, oversees scanner builds, and designs workflow processes to operationalize research studies.
• Designs and delivers advanced, modality-specific MRI training focused on complex imaging techniques, pediatric applications, and research workflows.
• Establishes and validates technical competency standards for MRI technologists to ensure consistent, high-level performance.
• Develops and delivers technical education related to MRI safety screening, zone management, and equipment utilization.
• Analyzes imaging performance metrics to identify trends and drive improvements in efficiency, image quality, and operational effectiveness.
• Partners with MR physicist to support technical quality assurance initiatives and contributes to departmental performance improvement strategies.
• Evaluates and supports implementation of emerging MRI technologies, advanced software applications, and innovative imaging methodologies.
• Serves as a strategic technical liaison among MRI operations, research teams, and multidisciplinary clinical partners.
• Collaborates with MRI leadership and the Clinical Educator to develop and implement modality-specific onboarding and technical competency plans for MRI staff.
• PARTNERS WITH THE MEDICAL IMAGING RESEARCH OFFICE (MIRO) TO TRANSLATE RESEARCH IMAGING REQUIREMENTS INTO STANDARDIZED MRI PROTOCOLS, WORKFLOWS, AND STAFF COMPETENCY PRACTICES.
• Represents MRI technical expertise in departmental meetings, committees, and cross-functional initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Graduate of an accredited school/college of radiography or magnetic resonance.
• CPR – BLS certification through American Heart Association (AHA).
• Certification and registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or ARMRIT in Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
• 5 years of progressive MRI Technologist experience required. Will consider Bachelor’s degree in healthcare field along with MRI technologist experience.
• Strong project coordination skills related to protocol implementation and standardization initiatives.
• Extensive experience operating and optimizing high-field MRI scanners (1.5 and 3T).
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives while maintaining attention to detail and operational priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven skills in leadership, planning and quality.

Pay Range

$48.00-$79.20 Hourly

Benefits

At Lurie Children’s, we offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid group term life and disability
• Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
• 403(b) with a 5% employer match
• Variety of Voluntary Benefits
• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

AI Notice

Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals. It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes. For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org