Certification for MR safety and MR operator

Running or assisting with running MRI experiments at the Spinoza Centre requires certification for MR safety and optionally as MR operator. To become certified you have to complete the following steps:

MR safety

• Study the File:20150921 SC Reader MRSafety Meibergdreef.pdf carefully.
• Read Chapter 2 from 'Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging' by Huettel et al.
• Read the main text of the ACR Guidance document 2013. Not all sections will apply to your situation. The text should be read as a general guideline, not as policy specific to the Spinoza Centre.
• Read the wiki entries relevant to your project.
• Complete the screening form and have it checked by the SC staff to make sure you can safely enter the MRI (control) room.
• Attend the instruction (approximately one hour) on MR procedures and safety by the SC staff.
• Pass the safety exam consisting of a theoretical (written) and practical part (screening a subject).
• Attend the relevant evacuation training. Due to the minimum required group size these are organized less frequently; temporary dispensation can therefore be discussed.

MR operator

• Obtain your MR safety certificate.
• Practice operating the scanner under the supervision of a qualified (certified) user, e.g. a colleague already running a project. Note that the number of required training sessions differs between people and is based, amongst others, on the previous skill level and experience with MRI scanners.
• Show you have mastered operation of the scanner by running a (pretend) session of your experiment overseen by someone from the SC staff.
• Pass a formal examination, consisting of:
  • being able to answer questions with regards to safety and safety procedures (written exam)
  • being able to answer questions with regards to the use of the scanner.

Additional safety-related information

Risks associated with helium

mrisafety.com

FDA criteria