MRI Technical Specialist - Advanced and Research Imaging

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report. Day (United States of America) Location Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Job Description General Summary: Serves as the principal MRI technical subject-matter expert supporting advanced imaging across clinical and research environments. Provides technical expertise in the design, implementation, and standardization of complex MRI protocols, ensuring alignment between clinical workflows, research methodologies, and scanner-level execution. Supports consistency, safety, and innovation in pediatric MRI by maintaining high technical standards, optimizing imaging performance, and facilitating adoption of emerging technologies. Operates with a high degree of technical autonomy and collaborates across multidisciplinary teams to enhance image quality, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. 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. Other job functions as assigned. 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 Education (BLS) - Basic Life Support - American Heart Association Pay Range $48.00-$79.20 Hourly At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s 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 For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes: 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 Various 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 There’s a Place for You with Us At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care. Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: 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: