An MRI suite is unlike any other room in a hospital – a live magnetic field that never switches off, cryogenic systems, and imaging electronics that all have to work in harmony. The Keeping MRI Scanners Running: MRI Repair Technician Training Course, offered by the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, starts from that reality, building technicians who can service MRI systems safely and competently.

Participants progress from understanding the safety demands unique to magnetic resonance environments, through the electrical, cooling, and software systems that keep a scanner operational, to diagnosing and repairing the faults that threaten image quality and uptime. The course closes with the regulatory and reporting skills needed to keep every repair audit-ready.

Who Should Attend?

• Biomedical engineers and technicians focused on MRI equipment.
• Radiology department staff wanting to deepen their MRI maintenance skills.
• Technicians entering the MRI repair field for the first time.
• Technical staff who oversee the daily operation of MRI systems.

Knowledge and Benefits:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Apply the specific safety protocols required in a magnetic resonance environment.
• Explain how an MRI system’s magnetic, gradient, RF, and cooling systems interact.
• Diagnose and repair common electrical, software, and hardware faults.
• Perform routine maintenance and calibration to sustain image quality.
• Meet MRI-specific regulatory standards and document repairs correctly.

Module 1: The Unique Safety Demands of MRI Environments

• Understanding the risks posed by a permanently active magnetic field.
• MRI room design considerations and safety zoning.
• Handling ferromagnetic objects and implants safely around patients and technicians.

Module 2: MRI System Fundamentals

• How MRI technology works and the systems that make up a scanner.
• Magnetic field generation and the types of magnets used.
• Gradient coils and RF coils: their role in forming and receiving the image signal.

Module 3: Power, Control, and Software Systems

• Power requirements and electrical circuits specific to MRI equipment.
• The control panel, operator interface, and their common faults.
• MRI operating software and how it handles image reconstruction.

Module 4: Cooling and Cryogenic Systems

• Why cooling systems are critical to continuous MRI operation.
• Types of cooling systems and their maintenance requirements.
• Cryogenic safety protocols and how to respond to cooling failures.

Module 5: Diagnosing MRI Faults

• Identifying common system failures and their symptoms.
• Diagnostic tools and techniques for isolating faults, including image artefacts.
• Interpreting error codes and software logs to guide troubleshooting.

Module 6: Repair and Component-Level Servicing

• Repairing or replacing malfunctioning magnetic, gradient, and RF components.
• Planning and implementing software and hardware upgrades.
• Modifying systems for new applications while preserving compatibility.

Module 7: Preventive Maintenance and Calibration

• Daily, weekly, and monthly preventive maintenance tasks.
• Calibrating the magnetic field, gradients, and RF coils.
• Building maintenance schedules and checklists that prevent downtime.

Module 8: Regulatory Standards and Quality Control

• Regulatory bodies and certification requirements for MRI systems.
• Implementing quality control programmes for ongoing compliance.
• Managing and reporting quality assurance testing.

Module 9: Post-Repair Verification and Reporting

• Testing and verifying system performance after repairs or upgrades.
• Monitoring performance trends after servicing.
• Preparing detailed maintenance reports and final certification documentation.