MRI Repair

Who Do You Call for MRI Repair?

Technology plays a huge role in virtually every facet of modern life, including the health care system. Sophisticated pieces of equipment like magnetic resonance imaging scanners, also known as MRI systems, are used to peer inside the body, offering much-needed insight into what goes on beneath the surface. The information provided by these scanners can pinpoint a health problem, provide guidance for an upcoming procedure or offer peace of mind by showing that all is well, but that information is only useful if it is accurate.

What happens when that technology fails? Who gets the call when an MRI machine breaks down? In that situation, medical facilities turn to medical equipment repair technicians. 

What is a medical equipment repair technician?
A medical equipment repair technician is a skilled professional who installs, calibrates, maintains, upgrades and repairs the complex medical equipment that patients, doctors and hospitals rely on. In 2014, there were some 48,000 people working in this field and earning a median annual salary of $46,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly half of all medical equipment repair technicians are employed by companies that supply or service medical technology. Others work for hospitals, health care centers and health stores. One in seven is self-employed. 

How do you become a medical equipment repair technician?
Individuals interested in careers as medical equipment repair technicians should start by taking advanced science and mathematics courses in high school so that they'll have a strong foundation to build on. In college, they'll need to complete an associate degree program in biomedical engineering technology. Earning this degree will involve course work covering topics that include information technology, electronics, science, and human anatomy and physiology. Hand-on lab experience in repairing and maintaining medical equipment will also be part of the program.

Earning a degree is only the first step for people interested in following this career path. Newly minted medical equipment repair technicians must spend months working on each type of medical equipment under the careful eyes of experienced technicians. 

Are there certifications for medical equipment repair technicians?
The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation offers several certifications for medical equipment repair technicians who would like to demonstrate their commitment and competency by proving their mastery of the theoretical and practical aspects of their profession. These include the CBET credential for biomedical equipment technicians, the CRES credential for radiology equipment specialists and the CLES credential for laboratory equipment specialists. 

To become certified, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements by completing an appropriate educational program and an accepted period of work experience. In addition, they must pass a comprehensive exam. 

What goes into keeping an MRI system working properly?
Ensuring that an MRI system provides accurate results takes a little work and a lot of training. 
Medical equipment repair technicians might be called on for a variety of service needs, including:

• Installation
• Calibration and magnet shimming
• Tune-ups and maintenance
• Coil repairs and parts replacement
• Troubleshooting and repairs

The public rarely sees medical equipment repair technicians at work. Their role is less visible than that of doctors, nurses and other front-line medical personal, but they are an important part in the health care system. 

Components for Repairs, Replacements, and Upgrades to Medical Equipment

Today's medical facilities utilize equipment like MRIs frequently throughout a typical day. This machinery is used a number of times each day for diagnostic purposes. Medical providers rely on the facilities' MRI machines being safe and operational. 

However, like any machine an MRI can break down and need to be repaired or upgraded before it can be used for patient care. Individuals in charge of such maintenance and repair tasks have access to Toshiba Vantage parts that can be used to restore the MRI's proper function.

Parts Selection and Purchase
People tasked with fixing these high-dollar and complex machines must obtain the correct equipment with which to repair, replace, or upgrade the MRI. They can choose from parts like compressors, power supplies, boards, and other gear. 

When making these repairs or upgrades, it may be important to keep the machine's warranty intact as much as possible. Doing so may require that the technicians making the repairs use the same parts that were originally used in its creation. Finding a part that will be identical to the one that must be replaced can be accomplished by using the component's parts number. The number identifies what kind of part is needed and also how and where it should be installed into the MRI.

Technicians who shop online for the needed components can enter the parts number into search field on Toshiba's website to find the gear that they need. They can also use the company's toll-free number or use the website's social media plug-ins to ask about the part or find out how to obtain it quickly.

Another option that technicians have involves requesting the parts that they need from the manufacturer's website. Toshiba, for example, makes available a request form on its parts website. The form asks for identifying information like the parts number and description. Technicians can also ask for the part's availability and price using this form.


Requesting Technician Services
Hospitals and medical facilities that do not have technicians on staff may have their MRIs repaired or serviced by logging onto Toshiba's website. The website makes it possible for these facilities to request service using the appropriate link at the top of the page. The link allows people to schedule an engineer to come to their location and make the needed repairs and replacements.

Individuals comfortable enough to try their hand at making the needed repairs can be guided in their work with the resources found on the parts' manufacturer's website. Resources like how-to videos are available under the Discover Resources link. The videos reduce the likelihood that the repair personnel will make a costly mistake, thus making it necessary for the facility to buy another MRI machine. 

Online training courses are also available to help technicians learn how to use the parts that they order. Repair personnel may also wish to use these courses from time to time to brush up on their knowledge of how to repair the MRI machines at their place of employment.


MRI equipment is vital to diagnostics and patient care. When these complex machines break down, they can be repaired using Toshiba Vantage parts that can be purchased online. The website has a plethora of resources for locating, ordering, and using these parts correctly.