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Central Vancouver Island: Think Trades & Technology

Medical Imaging Technologist

Job Titles: X-ray Technician, Radiography Technologist, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Ultrasound (sonographer) Technologist, Mammography Technologist, Radiological Technologist, Medical Resonance Imaging Technologist (MRI), Computed Tomography Technologist (CT)

What's It Like?

A Medical Imaging Technologist works under the direction of a medical specialist in a hospital Medical Imaging department, at the patient's bedside, in the operating room or the emergency department. There are two main streams or specialty areas within the occupational group - Radiography Technologists and Nuclear Medicine Technologists. These technologists work as part of a health team composed of radiologists, interns, surgeons, nurses, laboratory technologists, biomedical technologists, and other specialists.

Radiography Technologists use highly sophisticated X-ray equipment, mammographs, or CT (computerized tomography) scanners to produce images that are used by radiologists to diagnose the extent of disease or injury. These images may be displayed on X-ray film, movie film, videotape, television monitors or computer read-outs.

Radiography Technologists may:

• Specialize in areas such as Computerized Tomography, Angiography, Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Interventional Radiology, Dosimetry, Stereotaxy or Brachytherapy , Sonography (Ultrasound)
• 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 examination
• Apply radiation protection measures

Nuclear Medicine Technologists use radioactive tracers that are generally injected into the bloodstream of patients. The path of the radioactive material is then followed as it travels through a patient's system and is picked up by the bones or organs to be examined. The images produced help determine the nature of a disease and the extent of involvement and also help measure responses to treatment.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist may:

• Specialize in areas such as Computerized Tomography (CT), Angiography, Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Sonography (Ultrasound)
• 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, 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 feces
• 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

Money & Benefits

Wages – Public Sector

Designation	Hourly Rate
Entry Level	$25.36
Experienced (+5 years)	$32.59
Management (Senior)	$42.45

Benefits - Public Sector

As a member of the HSA (Health Services Association) technologists receive excellent benefits. Permanent part time and full time members receive medical and dental plans and may be entitled to educational leave and funding.

Wages & Benefits - Private Sector

The private sector is competitive with the public sector.

Why We're Betting On This

• While this is a relatively small occupational group, growth is expected to be steady over the next five years
• The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) is currently seeking qualified people and state that they expect continued demand
• People working in this occupational group have year-round employment with good pay and benefits

Interested? Where To Start

Educational Requirements

There are two main training program, Medical Radiography Technology and Nuclear Medicine Technology, under the umbrella of medical imaging technology. A technologist with the basic training in these fields can choose to advance into other specialty occupations.

To enter into a Medical Radiography program, a high school diploma with an emphasis on English, math,physics and biology is a great start. To enter into a Nuclear Medicine program a high school diploma with an emphasis in chemistry, physics and biology is required. Upon graduation from either program, a certification exam must be taken through the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists.

A graduate from either program may take further training to specialize in imaging areas such as CT scan, MRI scan and Sonography (Ultrasound). Graduates can ladder into management, equipment sales and research and educational positions.

These occupations offer the opportunity to continue to learn as technology advances.

Educational Institution

BCIT

Medical Radiography Technology program
www.bcit.ca/study/programs/6550diplt

Nuclear Medicine Technology program
www.bcit.ca/study/programs/6700diplt

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