Context
The
medical diagnostic sector is doing well. The increasing elderly population has
a direct impact on the level of the activity of labs and medical imaging
requirements. While looming retirements should free up some positions, increased
use of automated diagnostic and treatment procedures could slow down job
creation.
Examples of jobs
Medical
radiation technologist
Lab
technologist
Overview
Medical
radiation technologist
The
goal of medical imaging is to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases using various
medical imaging techniques. Medical radiation technology includes three
specialties: radiography, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine. Radiation
technologists work in hospitals, oncology centres, clinics, radiology labs or
within government organizations.
Lab
technologist
Lab
tests are the most important medical diagnostic tool. To diagnose diseases, technologists
use various processes such as medical lab tests, experiments and analyses. They
are supported by lab technicians, who also run standard tests and maintain
medical lab equipment in good condition. Medical lab technicians work for
varied organizations in medical or research labs.
Typical duties
Medical radiation technologist
- Produce x-rays or
images.
- Record and analyze
patient data.
- Do quality control
checks on radiology equipment.
-
Provide patients with
the necessary care during examinations.
- Ensure that radiation protection rules are
observed.
Lab
technologist
- Draw blood or
other samples from patients.
- Take tissue
samples from patients.
- Write patient
contact information on the samples.
- Arrange samples
for testing.
- Install medical
lab equipment.
- Study samples.
- Clean medical
equipment.
Education and job
requirements
Medical radiation technologist
·
Have a
diploma of studies in medical radiation technology (three teaching modules and
three clinical modules are required)
·
Have a college diploma or
university degree approved by the province's professional order
·
Pass
the national certification exam of the Canadian Association of Medical
Radiation Technologists
Lab technologist
·
Have a college diploma
(e.g. medical lab technology, biology, nursing)
·
Have taken a 6- to
14-month assistant or technician course
Skills and profile
Medical
radiation technologist
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to adapt to changing technology
-
Ability to work independently or as part of a team
Lab
technologist
Ability to synthesize lots of information
Excellent colour vision
Good manual dexterity
Computer skills
Interested in people's health
Good work hygiene and organization
Salary
The
salary range for each of these two professions is almost identical: from
$40,000 to $80,000. It varies from one province to another and also depends on
the number of years of experience.
Career path 
Medical
radiation technologist
Technologists who do
radio diagnostics can specialize (e.g. mammography, magnetic resonance imaging,
ultrasound) or work in a new technology applied to radiation therapy or in
nuclear medicine. They
can also change fields entirely and work in sales or the development of new
products for manufacturers of radiology equipment and devices.
Lab
technologist
Technologists
can move up the ladder internally by supervising lab technicians or work in
other sectors of activity such as the pharmaceutical industry as research assistants,
or the food or petrochemical industries.