Medical Radiation Technologists
(NOC 3215)
in All HealthThis group includes technologists who 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, radiological laboratories, colleges and universities. Medical radiation technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this group. Radiological technologists may specialize in areas such as computerized tomography, angiography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, interventional radiology, dosimetry, stereotaxy or brachytherapy.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Health
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow slightly over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a small percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are not expected to be a major contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Medical Radiation Technologists most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 61% of Medical Radiation Technologists who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $70,719. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$23.00
Minimum$32.54
Median$45.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$18,109
Minimum$66,987
Median$87,379
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.38
Minimum$25.50
Median$41.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
This group includes technologists who 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, radiological laboratories, colleges and universities. Medical radiation technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this group. Radiological technologists may specialize in areas such as computerized tomography, angiography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, interventional radiology, dosimetry, stereotaxy or brachytherapy.
Job 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 and monitoring of the patient during the radiographic examination.
- Explain procedures, position patient and equipment and 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 and administer radiopharmaceuticals, such as radionuclides and other tracer materials to patients or to biological samples.
- 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.
- 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 and monitoring of 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.
- Provide appropriate care and monitoring of the patient's physical and psychological well-being during the entire course of treatment.
- Explain procedures and side effects of radiation.
- May train and supervise student radiotherapy technologists or supervise other radiotherapy technologists.
Sample job titles
- diagnostic imaging technologist
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologist
- mammography technician
- medical radiation technologist
- nuclear medicine technician
- radiation therapy technologist (RTT)
- radiology technologist
- registered technologist in nuclear medicine (RTNM)
- registered technologist in radiography (RTR)
- X-ray (radiology) technician
Skills
This work demands skill, accuracy, and close attention to detail. You should be efficient yet sensitive to patients' needs. Integrity and a strong sense of responsibility are important, as your results may affect a diagnosis or treatment. You must also be comfortable working with technology and able to keep up with new advances in the field.
Job requirements
- Completion of a two- to three-year college, hospital or other approved program in diagnostic radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (for radiological technologists and magnetic resonance technologists), nuclear medicine technology (for nuclear medicine technologists) or radiation therapy (for radiation therapists) or a bachelor of health sciences in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy and a period of supervised practical training are required.
- Licensure with a regulatory body is required in Nova Scotia.
- Certification by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists is required in Nova Scotia.
Other considerations
Depending on the size and type of institution, people in these jobs may be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays. There is no mobility between the three types of medical radiation technologists without further training. Experience as a medical radiation technologist is required for supervisors and instructors.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health Care and Social Assistance
Wholesale Trade
Other Professional Services
Public Administration
Other Industries
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
55-64
45-54
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Health
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
Bachelor's degree
$58,441 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$54,504 median annual incomeUniversity advanced certificate or diploma
N/AUniversity certificate or diploma
N/ATrades certificate
N/ACompared to: All Health
College certificate or diploma
$36,693 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$57,186 median annual incomeMedicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry
$83,000 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,119 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$87,808 median annual incomeEducation & training
Nuclear medical technology/technologist
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to employ radioactive and stable nuclides in diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic applications while monitoring for patient health and safety. These programs include courses in nuclear physics, health physics, instrumentation and statistics, biochemistry, immunology, radiopharmacology, radiation biology, clinical nuclear medicine, radionuclide therapy, computer applications, safety regulations, equipment operation, quality control, laboratory procedures, taking patient histories, patient evaluation and monitoring, emergency first aid, administration and record-keeping, and personnel supervision.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Radiologic technology/science - Radiographer
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to provide medical imaging services to patients and attending health care professionals. These programs include courses in applied anatomy and physiology, patient positioning, radiographic technique, radiation biology, safety and emergency procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, quality assurance, patient education, and medical imaging/radiologic services management.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Practice: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to work in this job.