BIC offers training to support independent and/or assisted research activities on our imaging systems, and for new clinical staff that will be working in the facility.
Note that the preclinical imaging systems of the BIC are located within the ARC suite in HDB. Appropriate facility training will also be required.
Please direct all training questions to: bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu
MRI User Training
BIC offers 3 levels of user-training for our human and pre-clinical MRI systems, based on the guidelines set forth by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Level 0 (L0) grants an individual observer status for an MRI study – they may not enter the MRI scanner room and cannot assume any responsibilities associated with the MRI study. Level 1 (L1) ensures an individual can work safely around an MRI system and can observe / assist with an MRI study. L1 training is also required for all staff that provide emergency medical support to the Center’s operations in NHB or HDB. Level 2 (L2) grants an individual system-operator status so they can run the scanner independently.
All human MRI studies performed at BIC require the presence of an L2 user assisted by an L1 user or another L2 user (2-person rule).
Level 0 Training Instructions page
Level 1 Certification
This L1 course extends the trainees knowledge of basic MRI safety principles and procedures, familiarizes the user with the resources of the BIC in either HDB or NHB, and provides hands-on training with key safety features of the MRI scanner that may be required in an emergency. A Level 1 user satisfies the 2-person requirement (L2 + L1) for human research studies, gets Zone 1 and Zone 2 facility access privileges, and may use FBS to schedule BIC resources. In general, only users involved in medium to long term projects (> 4 months) will be considered for Level 1 certification: for rotations or class related visits, Level 0 – MRI Observer status is more appropriate.
Level 1 certification requires completion of the following modules:
1) Submit the BIC MRI Level Training Request form to be logged into our database and initiate the L1 training process.
2) Download the Level 1 MRI User Training Packet from the BIC Wiki and complete packet checkbox steps 1-5 under the guidance of your PI / supervisor.
3) For research users with Human participants:
a) Documentation of the L1 trainee’s CITI Human Subjects training and IRB status must be submitted as part of the Level 1 MRI User Training Packet. (Instructions here)
b) Watch the online UTLearn class BIC-MRI:102 - MRI Safety Screening Training to learn how to proctor the completion of the MRI Safety Screening form for Research Participants
4) For research users performing Preclinical research:
a) If not completed as part of L0 training, documentation of the L1 trainee’s ARC training and IACUC status must be submitted to BIC as part of the Level 1 MRI User Training Packet.
5) Complete your own MRI Safety Screening form for Personnel, if not submitted as part of L0 training. A member of BIC staff will review and email back confirmation if you screen safe to enter MRI Zone 3.
Re-submit this if your details have changed, or it has been more than 2 years since last submission.
6) Attach pdf copies of any required documents to the Level 1 MRI User Training Packet. Rename the completed Training Packet as your FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME_L1.pdf
7) Submit your L1 MRI User Training Packet to: bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu to request a facility orientation and in-person L1 safety training for the appropriate site / system: (the in-person training is step 6 on the training packet)
BIC-MRI: 103A – NHB orientation / Siemens Skyra L1 training
BIC-MRI: 103B – HDB orientation / Siemens Vida L1 training
L1 training for the 7T Bruker system will be arranged ad-hoc.
BIC will contact you to arrange the date / time of your orientation and training.
Upon successful completion of your L1 training:
9) Submit the BACS access request form for BIC facilities:
Level 1 users will be granted in-hours access to BIC facilities but will not have access to the MRI scanner room(s).
Out of hours access to the appropriate building can also be requested:
NHB: contact the building Facility Manager: Cory Konieczny
HDB: submit a request using the following form: HDB BACS Request.
10) Submit the FBS access request form to obtain scheduling privileges for BIC resources.
The topics you need to understand in order to be L1 certified can be found in the L1 Training Checklist.
Level 2 Certification
The L2 course includes a more detailed lecture on the principles of MRI, advanced MRI safety and includes training in the operation of the MRI scanner and ancillary equipment. Prior experience as a Level 1 user is assumed. Note that the Skyra and Vida systems run different software environments for MRI scanning, therefore training on the appropriate system is recommended.
After filling out the BIC MRI Level Training Request form to request training,
Level 2 certification requires completion of the following:
- Obtain Level 1 certification
(including UTLearn class BIC-MRI:102 - MRI Safety Screening Training if L1 certification was obtained before Spring 2022)
and participate in 5 scanning sessions as an L1 first. - Attend the Level 2 training lecture: email bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu to request a copy of our virtual L2 lecture. ** note: this lecture is currently being updated **
- Pass the Level 2 written exam.
- Complete 5 hands-on apprenticeship sessions (operating the scanner) under the supervision of a qualified Level 2 mentor. These sessions can be performed on a phantom, but a minimum of 1 must be performed on a training participant to be qualified to run a human scan.
- Submit the L2 Certification form to bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu asking to schedule the L2 practical exam on the appropriate MRI scanner (Skyra or Vida).
- Pass the Level 2 Practical Exam
Successfully passing the L2 practical exam will certify that the user is permitted to operate the scanner and run MRI studies. Access to the MRI scanner room will be granted, and morphometric (fingerprint) IDs will be uploaded to the entry system.
Submit the FBS access request form to obtain scheduling privileges for BIC resources.
PET/CT User Training
Training in how to operate our Siemens Inveon preclinical PET/CT system is available on-request. Please email bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu to inquire about training options. Note that Radiation Safety training for Radioactive Materials (RAM) and/or X-ray devices is a pre-requisite before scanner training and is available through UT Austin Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
Human PET/CT studies must currently be performed with the assistance of a PET/CT Technologist. If you are interested in performing human CT or PET studies, please contact the Director.
Optical Imaging User Training
Training in how to operate our Xenogen IVIS optical imaging system is available on-request. Please email bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu to inquire about training options.
Facility Access
To gain access to the BIC Facilities in NHB or HDB* please complete the BIC Access Request Form. The form should be submitted by the PI or supervisor of the individual(s) requiring access - requests from individuals unknown to BIC staff will be denied. Only legitimate requests to access Center resources will be considered.
*HDB building entrance access is granted not by BIC but by: HDB BACS Request.
Scheduling Scanner / Resource Time
Access to FBS - our online resource scheduling system - is incorporated into the User Training curricula.
Instructions on how to use the system can be found in our FBS Tutorial.
To gain access to FBS independent of User Training, please contact BIC support.