BIC offers training to support independent and assisted research activities using our resources, for DMS / UTHA clinical staff that will be working in the UT Austin Imaging Center in HDB and for UT / DMS support staff that assist with Center operations.
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
Note: Training must be requested using the procedures below. Training requests sent through the FBS system are not checked.
BIC offers 3 levels of user-training based on the guidelines set forth by the American College of Radiology (ACR):
Level 0 (L0) status grants a researcher observer status for an MRI study and is also required for UT / DMS / UTHA support staff (e.g. ITS, Zone Shop, Facilities). L0 trained individuals may not enter the MRI scanner room and cannot assume any responsibilities associated with an MRI study.
Level 1 (L1) certification ensures an individual can work safely around an MRI system and can observe / assist with an MRI study. L1 training is required for all staff that provide clinical care or emergency medical support to the Center’s operations in NHB or HDB.
Level 2 (L2) certification grants an individual system-operator status so they can run the scanner independently.
The L0 course reviews essential MRI safety guidelines, sufficient to ensure safe entry into the MRI control room. Level 0 users MAY NOT enter the MRI Scanner Room (Zone 4) under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES unless accompanied by a member of BIC staff or a certified MRI Technologist. Card access to BIC facilities will not be granted. Level 0 researchers MAY NOT assume any L1 or L2 responsibilities (such as safety screening of participants) or enter any zone besides the MRI Control Room (Zone 3).
A maximum of two (2) L0 users may be present for participant research studies – Level 2 users overseeing the study are responsible for the conduct and safety of the L0 users.
Level 0 Certification - Research – Research
Level 0 Certification – Support Staff
Level 1 Certification
The 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 in case of an emergency. All individuals providing clinical care or emergency medical support to the Center’s operations must be L1 trained. A Level 1 researcher satisfies the 2-person requirement (L2 + L1) for human research studies, has Zone 1 and Zone 2 access privileges, and may schedule in FBS. Only research users involved in projects > 4 months will be considered for Level 1 certification: for rotations / class visits, Level 0 – MRI Observer status is more appropriate.
Level 1 Certification – Research
Level 1 Certification – Clinical Staff
Level 2 Certification
The L2 course includes a detailed lecture on MRI principles and advanced safety, including scanner operator training. Prior experience as a Level 1 user is required. Note that the Vida and Prisma systems run different software environments for MRI scanning, thus specific training on the system intended for use is recommended.
PET/CT User Training
Training for operation of the Siemens Inveon preclinical PET/CT system is available on-request. Please email training inquiries to bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu Note that Radiation Safety training for Radioactive Materials (RAM) and/or X-ray devices is a prerequisite for scanner training and is available through UT Austin Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
Human PET/CT studies require the assistance of a PET/CT Technologist. If you are interested in performing human CT or PET studies, please contact the director, Lisa Jackson.
Training for operation of the Xenogen IVIS optical imaging system is available on-request. Please email training inquiries to bic-training@utlists.utexas.edu
To gain access to the BIC Facilities in NHB or HDB* please complete the BIC Access Request Form. Submission of the form by the PI or supervisor of the individual(s) requiring access is required. Illegitimate requests from individuals unknown to BIC staff will be denied.
*HDB building entrance access is granted through this form: HDB BACS Request.
Access to FBS, our online resource scheduling system, is accounted for in the User Training curricula.
The FBS Tutorial contains instructions for how to use the system.
To gain FBS access independent of User Training, please contact BIC support.