MR Safety Class (for yellow badge)
The safety classes are scheduled on an as needed basis. When the date of the next class is confirmed, it will be announced on the CBSN users email list. To receive safety class announcements:
Anyone who will be entering the scanner area must attend the MR Safety Class.
Training Level Details and Requirements
In order to work in and around the Neuroimaging center and/or have an access key, users must undergo safety training. Below are the 2 levels of training (yellow and green badges).
Level 1: Observer / Scan Buddy / MR User-in-Training (Yellow Badge)
Anyone who will enter the scanning area, must:
- Attend a full safety class (see above) with Larry White,
- Followed by a test to verify your knowledge of safety procedures.
Once you have done this you are permitted to enter and or work in the magnetic environment with a fully trained MR user’s (or Larry White’s) supervision. You may act as a fully trained user’s second during an experiment and offer help in an emergency situation. You may provide supervised help in running the scanner and loading subjects into the magnet.
Level 2: Fully Trained MR User (Green Badge)
In order to become a fully trained MR user:
- You must first complete the Level 1 training.
- You must then gain as much experience as you can observing and helping to run the scanner with the assistance of another fully trained user (or Larry White if no one within your lab is fully trained) for no less than 20 scans. This is a self-paced process and it is your responsibility to find time to come down to the scan room to get the experience you need to complete your training. When observing a scan, use this time to maximum effect by paying close attention, taking notes and asking questions (while being mindful of the researchers conducting the study) .
- Once you have observed and/or run the scanner for no less than 20 sessions AND you feel you are proficient in all aspects of scanning, please contact Larry White to schedule a certifying scan. You will be tested orally and practically on your scanning skills and knowledge of emergency procedures. During the certifying tests you are expected to be able to boot up the scanner, screen subjects, load subjects in the scanner, run an experiment from start to finish, properly end an exam, back up your data to the server as well as be able to recite the imaging center’s emergency procedures that you will learn in the safety class.
Once you pass these tests you are considered a fully trained MR user and will be given access to the MR suite and control room via your Harvard ID.
For questions concerning the safety training, contact Larry White (lawrence_white@fas.harvard.edu)