Medical Radiation Technologists (NOC 3215)
Description
Medical radiation technologists operate radiographic and radiation therapy equipment to administer radiation treatment and produce images of body structures for the diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease. They are employed in hospitals, cancer treatment centres, clinics and radiological laboratories. Medical radiation technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group.
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Example Titles
- clinical instructor, radiation therapy
- mammography technician
- nuclear medicine technologist
- radiation oncology technologist
- radiation therapist
- radiation therapy technologist (RTT)
- radiological technologist
- radiotherapy technician
- supervisor, nuclear medicine technologists
- X-ray technician
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Classified Elsewhere
- Other medical technologists and technicians (in 321 Medical Technologists and Technicians (Except Dental Health))
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Duties
Radiological technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate X-ray, radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment, computerized tomography (CT) scanners, mammography units and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to produce radiographs or anatomic images of the human body for the diagnosis by radiologists of disease or injury
- Record and process patient data
- Perform basic verification and quality control checks on radiographic and film processing equipment
- Provide appropriate care for the patient during the radiographic examination
- Apply radiation protection measures
- May train and supervise student radiographers or supervise other radiological technologists.
Nuclear medicine technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare radiopharmaceuticals, such as radionuclides and other materials and administer them to patients or to biological samples
- Operate radiation detection equipment, such as gamma cameras, scanners, scintillation counters, tomodensitomiters and ionization chambers, to acquire data for use by nuclear medicine physicians in the diagnosis of disease
- Perform diagnostic procedures using radioactive materials on biological specimens, such as blood, urine and faeces
- Record and process results of procedures
- Check equipment to ensure proper operation
- Provide appropriate care for the patient during the examination
- Apply radiation protection measures
- May train and supervise student nuclear medicine technologists or supervise other nuclear medicine technologists.
Radiation therapists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate linear accelerators, cobalt 60, X-ray and other radiation therapy equipment to administer radiation treatment prescribed by radiation oncologists
- Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation
- Assist radiation oncologists and clinical physicists with preparation of radiation treatment plan
- Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials such as cobalt, radium, cesium and isotopes and the construction of devices such as plaster casts and acrylic moulds to assist with administration of radiation treatment
- Monitor the patient's physical and psychological well-being during the entire course of treatment
- Advise the patient regarding side effects of radiation
- May train and supervise student radiotherapy technologists or supervise other radiotherapy technologists.
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Skills
Radiological technologists need the following characteristics:
Essential Skills:
- able to relate well to a wide range of people and gain their confidence,
- ability to work independently and as a member of a team,
- good problem-solving and decision-making skills,
- physical stamina and manual dexterity,
- good listening and observational skills,
- good verbal and written communication skills,
- knowledge of computers.
Technical skills:
- operation of technical medical equipment
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Employment Requirements
- Completion of a two- to three-year college, hospital school or other approved program in diagnostic radiography (for radiological technologists), nuclear medicine technology (for nuclear medicine technologists) or radiation therapy (for radiation therapists), or magnetic resonance (for medical imaging) is required.
- Certification by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists is required.
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Terms & Conditions
Medical radiation technologists and therapists work indoors. Those employed in hospitals work shifts on rotation, or on call, which includes working evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Part time work is fairly common, although the majority work full time (69%). All are salaried employees.
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Earnings
$54,500 per annum - starting
$59,700 per annum - average
$78,700 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
Radiological Technology:
- Red River College offers a two-year diploma program in Medical Radiologic Technology. Successful graduates of this program are eligible for certification with the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. http://www.rrc.ca
- The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists offers advanced levels of certification, as well as correspondence courses to prepare radiological technologists for jobs in specialty areas such as breast imaging (CBI), computer tomography Imaging (CTIC) and management studies (CMS). Graduates may also apply to magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound programs. http://www.camrt.ca
Nuclear Medicine Technology:
- Manitoba sponsors two students per year for training in the Nuclear Medicine program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology [2-year diploma]. http://www.sait.ab.ca/
- The British Columbia Institute of Technology (Burnaby), The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Calgary), The Michener Institute/University of Toronto (Toronto), College Ahuntsic (Montreal), Saint John Regional Hospital/University of New Brunswick/New Brunswick Community College (Saint John), and QEII Health Sciences Centre/Dalhousie University offer approved programs in nuclear medicine technology.
Radiation Therapy:
- Red River College offers a 28-month diploma program in Radiation Therapy. Most training is delivered at CancerCare Manitoba. Graduates of this program are eligible
- to write the certification examinations set by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. http://www.rrc.ca
Magnetic Resonance:
- Red River College offers a one-year advanced diploma program in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Spectroscopy. This program prepares the technologists to write the National Certification examinations, the standard set by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists and by the American Registry for Radiological Technologists. http://www.rrc.ca
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Career Paths
Technologists may work in community health centres, hospitals, or clinics.
In larger health centers, radiological technologists may specialize in areas such as computerized tomography (CT scanning), angiography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiation therapy, or breast imaging. Further training is required to move between these fields.
With experience and additional training, radiological technologists may move into teaching, health information systems, or administration.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for medical radiation technologists are expected to be good in the period 2010 to 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 580.
This occupational group covers a number of specialties. The majority (80%) are radiological or X-ray technologists. There is currently a shortage of medical radiation technologists and therapists due to the increased diagnostic imaging needs of an aging population, an inadequate supply of new graduates, and competition for qualified personnel from elsewhere in Canada and abroad.
Technological advances increase the range and efficiency and reduce the cost of many imaging procedures. As a result, the number of interventions by medical radiation technologists in hospitals and clinics throughout the province should increase. Employment opportunities in radiation therapy, as well as in MRI, Ultrasound, and Nuclear Medicine specialties are greatest in rural areas.
Jobs for medical radiation technologists are fairly evenly distributed across the province. Almost all are employed in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. The majority work in hospitals (75%), followed by doctors offices/health centres (22%) and nursing and residential care homes (3%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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