Radiological Technology

Who is a Radiological Technologist?
A radiological technologist is a highly skilled health care professional who cares for patients in all age groups - from newborns to older adults. They use x-radiation to create images of patient anatomy for diagnosis of injury or disease. A radiological technologist may also be known as a medical radiation technologist, an x-ray technologist or a radiographer.

What do Radiological Technologists do?
Radiological technologists work in a variety of healthcare settings including clinical, hospitals, emergency departments, intensive care units and operating rooms. They use highly technical equipment to perform the following types of imaging procedures on all body systems:

Radiography
Fluoroscopy
Computed tomography (CT)
Angiography and interventional
Mammography
Bone Density

Radiological technologists may also work in related areas:

Educations
Research
Administration
Radiation Safety
Imaging equipment sales
IT

How do I become a Radiological Technologist?
The School of Health Sciences offers a four-year degree program in radiological technology.

What is the program like?
The program is designed to provide current students hands-on clinical experience to support the classroom teaching. It focuses on courses related to radiological technology, however they also take courses with students in other health professions. Each term the students spend time in the hospital to apply the theory they learn in class. In the summer term of years 1, 2 and 3, students complete an 8-week practicum, and during the fall and winter terms of year 3 and 4, most of the learning is in the clinical setting.

What are some of the courses in the program?
Examples of some of the courses in radiological technology are:

Anatomy and Physiology
Skeletal Radiography
Imaging Equipment
Applied Pathology
Health Care Ethics
Clinical Skills for Health Practice
Digital Imaging
Introduction to Health Practice

A complete list of courses is available on the radiological technology curriculum table.

What are the entrance requirements
Applicants must have a high school diploma with at least 5 university preparatory courses at the grade XII level, including English, Math, Physics, and Biology or Chemistry. Acceptance requires that no mark be below 70% in each of these courses, with an overall minimum average of 75%.

Applicants with a post secondary background must have a GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.30 scale), with no grade lower than a C in required courses. Acceptance is first offered to applicants from the Maritime Provinces, then to applicants from other parts of Canada, then to international applicants.

Is there a professional association for radiological technologists?
The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) is the national professional association for radiological technologists as well as student radiolocical technologists. Upon completion of the Health Sciences program, graduates write a national certification exam which (once passed) will allow them to work anywhere in Canada and use the designation RTR (registered technologist in radiological technology) after their name.

What are job opportunities like? Currently there is a shortage of radiological technologists; most of the graduates have employment before they leave the program. Working hours and salaries vary from province to province. Graduates may also find employment in any country which accepts the CAMRT designation.

Is the program accredited?
Yes. The program is accredited by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). For more information go to http://www.cma.ca/index/cfm/ci_id/1931/la/l.htm.

For more information on radiological technology visit www.camrt.ca or http://nsamrt.ca/