Medical Radiation Technologist Job Requirements in Canada

Arabnews24.ca:Tuesday 27 September 2022 12:12 AM: To work as a medical radiation technologist employers usually require that you have completed a two- to three-year college or other approved program in diagnostic or magnetic resonance imaging (for radiological technologists and magnetic resonance technologists), nuclear medicine technology, or radiation therapy. Or, you must have completed a bachelor of health sciences in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy along with a period of supervised practical training.

Magnetic resonance technologists must have completed a graduate certificate program in magnetic resonance imaging.

In addition, licensure is required by a regulatory body in some provinces. However, membership with a provincial association is required by other provinces (see links in Section 5).

Medical radiation technologists must be certified by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists in all provinces except Quebec and British Columbia.

Because Canada is facing a labour shortage of health professionals, continuing your career in Canada may hold great interest to you. If you’re a medical radiation technologist, learn about job requirements for doctors in Canada, credentials assessment, job search techniques, and more.

Before You Move to Canada

It’s important to research your profession before you move to Canada. This will make it easier to continue your medical radiation technology career when you arrive. In fact, there are some steps that you can before you arrive that will help you to find a job faster.

Contact the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists to learn about the:Process to followCost and time required to obtain a licenseSteps in the licensing process that you can take before and after you move to Canada. Contact the provincial regulatory body in the province where you plan to settle to determine: International qualifications that they recognizeLanguage requirementsDocuments required for employment or to continue your education in Canada. Verify if the documents need to be translated and if you have to use a professional translation service in Canada. Improve your language skills, enroll in language classes while you are in your home country, and continue when you arrive in Canada. You need to have strong English or French (depending on your destination province) language skills and you may be tested. Gather and organize your official education, work and identity documents while still in your home country. Understand how the medical radiation technology profession is practiced in Canada. Familiarize yourself with the procedures, laws, and legislation that govern the profession in the province where you will settle. Know example job titles that are used in Canada for medical radiation technologists.

1. Understanding Job Requirements for Medical Radiation Technologists

2. Employment for Medical Radiation Technologists in Canada

Another valuable research tool is the Government of Canada’s Job Bank. Here you’ll find employment information such as wages, job prospects, available jobs, and more. This is a valuable tool to view since job prospects can vary by province and region. And, understanding where the job prospects look promising can help you to choose a city in Canada where you could live and work successfully.

Related Post:

Canada Job Bank: Your Vital Research Tool

Credential Recognition in Canada

Credential recognition is the process of verifying and assessing your skills, competencies, and international credentials fairly and rigorously. The best way to learn about the credential recognition process is to contact the provincial or territorial regulatory body where you plan to settle. They can advise you about the documents that you require, licensing fees, and more. It’s a good idea to take this step before you arrive in Canada and then decide the date that you will depart for Canada.

Depending on the province you intend to settle in, your licensing process may include:

Exams (eligibility, program selection, qualifying, certification) Language proficiency tests Credentialing Postgraduate training/assessment Return-of-service agreements (commitment to practice in an underserved community for an agreed period of time).

When you know the licensure procedure and understand what the regulatory body expects, you can carefully complete your application. The licensure process has many stages and can seem complicated. And, you’ll also require significant financial and personal commitment to pursue the process. Preparing financially for this reality is important.

How Do Education Evaluation and Credential Recognition Differ? (Infographic)

Credentials Assessment Services

If you plan to enrol in a college or university program in Canada you may require an education evaluation. Contact the school that you plan to attend to find out what’s required and if there is a specific credential assessment agency that you should use to verify your international education.

World Education Services (WES) – Ontario

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta

The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia

To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.

Major Employers for Medical Radiation Technologists

In Canada, medical radiation technologists are employed in hospitals, private clinics, cancer centres, research laboratories, industry, education and administration. Hospitals and clinics employ medical radiation technologists in the specialties of magnetic resonance and radiography. Major clinics, cancer centres and hospitals in large urban centres employ medical radiation technologists in the specialties of radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. Very few medical radiation technologists are self-employed.

Many medical radiation technology professionals work full time, with a forty-hour work week including weekend, evening and standby work. However, some do work part-time, as there is a growing number of part-time, casual and contract positions available.

For information on jobs for medical radiation technologists in Canada, see the CAMRT, where you will find a “job bank.” You may find information about available jobs on provincial organizations’ websites.

You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to search for hospitals and other healthcare settings where you may be interested in working. This designation recognizes employers with exceptional workplace diversity and inclusion programs.

3. Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Medical Radiation Technologist Job Requirements

Canadian employers put a high emphasis on soft skills. These are the personal attributes that enhance your interactions, job performance, and career prospects. Unlike your hard skills such as technical, analysis, and science skills, you can apply your soft skills broadly.

Soft skills, such as good communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills are important for medical radiation technologists.

As a medical radiation technologist, you must be sensitive to the patient’s physical and psychological needs and have the necessary technical skills. If your hard skills get you an interview, most likely it’s your soft skills that will help you get the job and succeed in the role.

Though not a must, upgrading your education and skills through a bridging program or other educational courses can be an important part of your journey to work as a medical radiation technologist in Canada. You will constantly face changing technology and varied demands from patients, employers, the government, and the general public. Therefore, it is important for you to participate in lifelong learning and demonstrate your professional growth.

Improving Your Language Skills to Meet Medical Radiation Technologist Job Requirements

You may have strong technical skills, but you may need to upgrade your communication skills. Strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French – are important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.

You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies.

There are even language courses to teach you professional terminology, such as job-specific language training and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer you better job opportunities.

Pursuing Higher Education in Canada

Many immigrants take further education after coming to Canada. Some even want to change careers or enhance their careers with a Ph.D. or MBA. Find out more about the benefits of higher education for newcomers in Canada.

Bridging Programs for Medical Radiation Technologists in Canada

Bridging programs can help you to transition your international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer bridging programs that you may be eligible for. The following programs may be suitable for you:

Michener Institute – Toronto

Access & Options for Internationally Educated Health Professionals

The program assists foreign-trained qualified health professionals in certification and registration within Canada. An individualized program will be developed to prepare internationally trained medical radiation technologists to write the CAMRT certification examination.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) – Edmonton

Medical Radiological Technology Bridging Program

The program provides tools to assess and enhance the practical readiness of internationally educated medical radiological (x-ray) technologists for the Alberta workplace.

Canadian employers who often do not know how to assess education and work experience from other countries, may require or prefer you to have experience working in Canada. Lack of local market experience can pose a challenge for newcomers, but there are ways to overcome some of these challenges.

When an employer tells you that you have no “Canadian experience” often they mean that they’re not sure if you’re going to fit into their workplace. They are not sure that you are familiar with Canadian codes and standards of practice or that you have the communication skills or interpersonal savvy to be an asset to their organization. Employers want professionals who possess the skills that will allow them to fit right in and over time become leaders.

You can overcome this barrier and acquire an understanding of Canadian workplaces by volunteering, networking, finding a mentor, and even job shadowing.

Volunteering

Volunteerism is an important part of Canadian society and lifestyle. Volunteering can help you settle in faster, make friends, practice communication skills, or learn new technical skills. In some cases, it may even lead to a job at the organization where you are volunteering. You can find volunteer opportunities in nonprofit organizations and community centres where you can use your knowledge and expertise. Look for opportunities in the health sector, photography, technical work, lab work, or other jobs involving contact with people. You can even use your volunteer work to help you gain “Canadian experience” and add it to your medical radiation technologist resume.

To learn about opportunities, you can contact Volunteer Canada or other community organizations in your area. As well, you can ask your relatives, friends or colleagues about volunteer opportunities that match your skills and interests.

Internships

Another good way to acquire Canadian experience is by having internships. Career Edge is an innovative internship program that allows you to apply for paid internships at Canada’s leading private, public or non-profit sector employers. The program regularly posts internship opportunities and offers paid internships of four, six, nine or 12 months for recent immigrants who have:

Fluency in English A Bachelor’s level education (at least) A minimum of three years of international work experience.

The program is run by Career Edge, a not-for-profit social enterprise that has managed over 9,200 paid internships across Canada since 1996.

Mentoring

A mentor is someone who can coach or mentor you and share information about working in your profession in Canada. It’s helpful to find someone such as a practicing medical radiation technologist or with a background in healthcare, who can help you navigate the Canadian work environment.

Many professional associations or firms offer this type of “buddy” program, where a seasoned member guides a junior one. Contact the relevant associations in your area to learn about mentorship opportunities.

As well, many bridging programs and immigrant-serving agencies have mentorship programs where they match a newcomer with someone in their professional field. The Mentoring Partnership brings together recent skilled immigrants and established professionals in occupation-specific mentoring relationships. The program is managed by the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council.

Job Shadowing

Not exactly a mentorship or a volunteer opportunity, job shadowing is an interesting way to learn about the industry in Canada and make professional contacts. Job shadowing can last anywhere from an hour to an entire day, and it’s a great way to understand the Canadian workplace.

As in volunteering, identify 5-10 companies or organizations you wish to work for and try to use your network to approach medical radiation technologists – or other employees in a healthcare role – who work there. Contact them, explain that you are a newcomer and ask if it’s possible to job shadow them for some time to get familiar with the work culture.

4. Job Search Techniques for Medical Radiation Technologists

While there is a demand for medical radiation technologists in Canada, the job market is competitive. So you need to prepare yourself to succeed in the job search.

You must look for jobs in the region where you will settle and take time to develop a plan to find work. There are many ways to search for jobs within the health care field. Consider these tips to gain employment:

Broaden your search and include alternative careers and sectors. Seek out a mentor in the healthcare profession who could give you valuable insight and advice and introduce you to their professional network. Join job-finding or networking groups through settlement agencies. Check the CAMRT job bank for available jobs as well as the provincial regulatory bodies.

Immigrant Settlement Agencies

Finding a job in Canada may be very different than in your home country. Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations can help you to find job vacancies, update your resume, write cover letters, prepare for interviews and understand what Canadian employers are looking for.

To find immigrant services in your area, click here.

Services in Canada to Help Newcomers Settle

Resume Writing for Medical Radiation Technologist Jobs

Your resume must showcase your technical excellence, proficiency, and accomplishments as a medical radiation technologist.

To show that you are the best candidate for the job, your resume should highlight how your abilities and skills contributed to your accomplishments.

Here are some additional tips to consider when writing your medical radiation technologist resume:

Create a professional resume format using medical resume templates available online. Identify your experience working with specialized radiation therapy equipment and performing diagnostic procedures and your related accomplishments Highlight your understanding of the required safety measures to provide effective services, and specify your knowledge of advanced technological developments in the field. List skills, qualifications and specialized training that you have received.

Types of Resumes that are Common in Canada

Essential Tips: Your First Job Interview in Canada

Interview Techniques for Medical Radiation Technologist Jobs

While the future looks bright for medical radiation technologists in Canada, you need to prepare well for your job interview.

Prior to your job interview, review your qualifications for the medical radiation technologist position so you can speak to your qualifications with confidence. Assess your experience to determine how you can contribute high value to the position. And, finally, prepare responses to some questions that a hiring manager may ask you.

Here are some questions to consider:

What are your strengths?

Don’t be shy. Identify three to five key strengths that directly relate to the position such as your organizational skills, collaboration skills, and leadership skills.

Describe a time when you had to manage multiple priorities. How did you manage your time?

This is the time to demonstrate your organizational and time management skills.

Describe how you keep your MRT skills and knowledge up to date.

The hiring manager wants to know that you actively pursue continuous learning. You can discuss a recent conference that you attended, professional journals that you regularly read, or specific training that you have or will receive.

During the interview, you will also have to respond to standard technical questions as well.

While you can never know exactly what to expect in an interview, research and being well-prepared can make all the difference.

Informational Interviews

An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in your field.

You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather find out more about the profession in Canada. For example, you may want to learn more about industry trends, and regulatory, or technological changes that are affecting the field.

An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information. In addition to getting information about the industry, you can benefit from their first-hand experiences working in the field in Canada.

Networking Can Help Your Job Search and MRT Career

An essential activity to help you discover job leads, gain information about a particular firm or industry, and meet others in your field is networking. As many job vacancies are not advertised, networking with others can help you to discover available jobs in this “hidden job market”.

Networking is really about meeting people, building relationships, and sharing information. Ideal places to network include conferences and professional associations.

LinkedIn is also helpful for networking.is another important professional tool for networking. It is great for reconnecting with your ex-colleagues and employers, searching by company or jobs, and getting introductions and recommendations. You can also join some related professional groups.

But remember, that you have to allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight and you need to be patient.

5. Medical Radiation Technologist Associations in Canada

The following associations provide information about licensure, certification and offer professional development, and networking opportunities.

National

Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT)

Provincial Regulatory Bodies

Alberta

Alberta College of Medical Diagnostic & Therapeutic Technologists

New Brunswick

New Brunswick Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia College of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals

Ontario

College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario

Quebec

Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

Other

British Columbia

British Columbia Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

Manitoba

Manitoba Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

Ontario

Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

Immigrant Networks

Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:

Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities Provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals

The groups offer networking events, mentoring, information sessions, and professional development opportunities to help increase your employment opportunities.

Nova Scotia

Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (isans); helps newcomer professionals with their full economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.

Ontario

Professional Immigrant Networks (TRIEC)

For more information about working and living in Canada, visit our Finding a Job in Canada page. We’ll help you to achieve your goals in Canada!