In 2009, the Center of Excellence for High-field MRI together with the Standardization Institute Vienna established the first ÖNORM-certified training course for MRI safety representatives worldwide.
The general responsibility for MRI safety lies with the operator. It is mandatory that appointed MRI safety agents are competent and have the necessary authority to perform their duty. For each MR facility (there can be multiple MR machines on-site), there must be at least one MR safety representative (ÖNORM S-1125-1, 2009).
The training of the certified MR safety representative pursuant to this ÖNORM course must be assessed based upon learnt scientific facts regarding the dangers of MRI in medical diagnosis. Furthermore, (s)he must control that the operator assumes responsibility for observing safety measures for the MRI machines used in medical diagnosis (ÖNORM S-1125-1, 2009).
Twenty 45-minute teaching units, in addition to six hands-on units and a final multiple choice exam. The training course takes place on two consecutive days.
The training course is primarily for anyone who is responsible for the safety of an MR facility or anyone who will be and pursues a corresponding qualification to fulfill this duty. Typically, these are experienced radiologists and radiology technologists (RT), but also research or industry engineers and physicists. In principle, however, everyone who wishes to expand his (her) competence in the field of MR safety is welcome.