BIC offers training to support independent and/or assisted research activities using our resources, and for DMS / UTHA staff that will be working in the UT Austin Imaging Center in HDB.
Note that the preclinical imaging systems of the BIC are located within the ARC suite in HDB. Appropriate facility training will also be required.
General lab
Please direct all training questions to: bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu
Training Policy and Rationale
MRI User Training
BIC offers 3 levels of user-training 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.
Level 0 Certification
This course reviews essential MRI safety guidelines, sufficient to ensure the trainee may safely enter the MRI control room and observe an MRI study. Level 0 users MAY NOT assume any responsibilities for the e.g. the safety screening of participants and may enter the MRI Control Room (Zone 3) ONLY. Level 0 users MAY NOT enter the MRI Scanner Room (Zone 4) under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES unless they are accompanied by a member of BIC staff or a certified MRI Technologist. Card access to BIC facilities will not be granted.
A maximum of two (2) L0 users may be present for participant research studies – the conduct and safety of the L0 users observing any MRI session will be the responsibility of the Level 2 user overseeing the study.
This L1 course extends knowledge of basic MRI safety principles and procedures, familiarizes the user with BIC resources, and provides hands-on training with key MRI scanner safety features needed in an emergency. A Level 1 user satisfies the 2-person requirement (L2 + L1) for human research studies, gets Zone 1 and Zone 2 access privileges, and may schedule in FBS. Only users involved in projects > 4 months will be considered for Level 1 certification: for rotations / class visits, Level 0 – MRI Observer is more appropriate.
The L2 course includes a more detailed lecture on the principles of MRI and advanced safety, and includes scanner operator training. Prior experience as a Level 1 user is required. Note that the Skyra and Vida systems run different software environments for MRI scanning, therefore training on the appropriate system is recommended.
Training Procedures
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.