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Medical Radiation Technologists
What they do?
Radiological technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
A. Prepare radiopharmaceuticals, such as radionuclides and other materials and administer them to patients or to biological samples
B. Operate radiation detection equipment, such as gamma cameras, scanners, scintillation counters, tomodensitometers and ionization chambers, to acquire data for use by nuclear medicine physicians in the diagnosis of disease
C. Perform diagnostic procedures using radioactive materials on biological specimens, such as blood, urine and faeces
D. Record and process results of procedures
E. Check equipment to ensure proper operation
F. Provide appropriate care for the patient during the examination
G. Apply radiation protection measures
What education do I need?
1. To be a medical radiation technologist, you need a baccalaureate or two- to three-year college, hospital, school or other approved program in your area of specialization.
2. You may specialize in diagnostic radiography, nuclear medicine technology or radiation therapy.
3. You also need a period of supervised practical training.
4. You may need a licence in the province/territory where you'll work.
5. You must be certified by the national association Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists in all provinces except Quebec, where most technologists are certified by the Ordre des technologues en radiologie du Québec.
6. With experience, you may move up the ranks to become a supervisor or instructor.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. English
3. Computer-related courses
4. Biology
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Medical Radiation Technologists is $24.12/HR, which is close to the average for occupations in the health sector and above average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
1% of Medical Radiation Technologists are unemployed. This rate is below the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Medical Radiation Technologists is considered Above Average because:
1. Employment grew at an above-average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($24.12) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.
3. The unemployment rate (1%) is below the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Above Average because:
1. The employment growth rate is expected to be above average because of on going trends--a growing and aging population that requires more health services, new diagnosing/treating technologies, and increased government funding for health care.
2. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Medical Radiation Technologists are found in Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in Manitoba and British Columbia.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (75%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Business procedures
2. Interpersonal skills
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
21% of Medical Radiation Technologists are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 16,900 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 31% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average influenced by a similar-to-average age of workers (40).
