Medical Radiation Technologists - NOC 3215

If you are interested in working as a Medical Radiation Technologist in Canada, you will be pleased to know that the job outlook for your occupation in Canada is extremely positive. You can use this overview of the Canadian employment prospects in your field to start planning your immigration and settlement in Canada.

• To view current number of applications received toward the cap, click here.

Why your employment prospects in Canada are excellent:

• The shortage of medical radiation technologists is expected to grow as many in the occupation will be retiring in the near future, says Anne Robertson, director of professional practice for the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Therapists.
• It is crucial that medical radiation technologists keep up-to-date of developments within their area of expertise. A career in this field will involve periods of retraining and professional development.
• Technologists who continually upgrade their skills have an advantage over others seeking employment in these fields.Technologists may work in community health centres, hospitals, or clinics.
• The work may involve shift work and weekend work.
• This occupational group covers a number of specialties. The majority (80%) are radiological or X-ray technologists.
• Work in this field is neither seasonal nor very sensitive to overall economic conditions.

Some areas of Canada where your occupation is in demand:

• Employment prospects are considered to be good for this occupation in B.C. in the upcoming years.
• Population growth, an aging population, and technological advances in diagnosis and treatment have all contributed an increased demand for X-rays, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine tests and other diagnostic procedures. Advances in radiation-based diagnostics and treatments may also increase the need for these services.
• Employment is distributed fairly evenly across the province, in line with the general population distribution.
• Work tends to be concentrated in the Lower Mainland-Southwest, Vancouver Island and Coast regions, due to the number of major hospitals and health-care centres in these larger urban areas.
• Industry sources report that there are currently worker shortages throughout the Lower Mainland region.
• Those seeking employment in hospital settings are advised that full-time positions are difficult to acquire when starting a career; however, there will be plenty of on-call and part-time opportunities.

• With an aging population in the province, the demand for health services will continue to rise and therefore the need for medical radiation technologists will remain high.
• Prospects are considered to be good in the following regions: Athabasca, Grande Prairie, Peace River, Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

• The Saskatchewan Government introduced the Saskatchewan Health Recruitment Grant Program to encourage health employees to relocate and build capacity in Saskatchewan's health system. The grant program provides financial incentives to health employees to work in rural or northern areas.
• Prospects are particularly good in Regina, and the Saskatoon and Rural West regions.

• Employment prospects for medical radiation technologists are expected to be good in the period 2009 to 2013.
• Employment in Manitoba in 2009 was estimated at 580.
• There is currently a shortage of medical radiation technologists and therapists in Manitoba due to the increased diagnostic imaging needs of an aging population, an inadequate supply of new graduates, and competition for qualified personnel from elsewhere in Canada and abroad.
• Technological advances increase the range and efficiency and reduce the cost of many imaging procedures. As a result, the number of interventions by medical radiation technologists in hospitals and clinics throughout the province should increase.
• Jobs for medical radiation technologists are fairly evenly distributed across the province. However, employment opportunities in radiation therapy, as well as in MRI, Ultrasound, and Nuclear Medicine specialties are greatest in rural areas.
• Almost all are employed in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. The majority of medical radiation technologists work in hospitals (75%), followed by doctors offices/health centres (22%) and nursing and residential care homes (3%).

• Across the province, employment for this occupation is expected to grow more rapidly than the average for all occupations.

• Census data indicates that the majority of this occupation's labour force has not reached retirement age. Therefore, new job opportunities would primarily come from increased demand for services associated with this type of occupation.
• Local demand for new workers will be the strongest in larger urban centers.
• Innovations in the use of nuclear medicine to diagnose illnesses, such as cancer, may increase demand for these professionals.

• Employment prospects for medical radiation technologists in the Toronto area are considered to be good.
• Increases in illnesses associated with an ageing population should increase the demand for workers in this occupation.

• Employment opportunities for medical radiation technologists are expected to be good for the next two years.
• Hospitals, clinics and laboratories report that it is particularly difficult to find technologists in the specialty areas of mammography and nuclear medicine.

• Census data indicates that the majority of this occupation's labour force has not reached retirement age in this local region. Therefore new job opportunities would primarily come from increased demand for services associated with this type of occupation.
• Local demand for new workers will be the strongest in larger urban centers.
• According to Service Canada employment prospects for this occupation are predicted to be good over the next few years in the following Ontario regions as well: Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa, Niagara Area, Kingston.

• There are several hospitals in New Brunswick indicating a strong need for medical radiation technologists, specifically radiation therapists.
• Expected retirements in the next ten years will also contribute to a shortage of medical radiation technologists in New Brunswick.
• While prospects are good across the whole province, there is strongest demand in the following areas: Fredericton, Woodstock, Grand Falls, Edmundston, Moncton, Shediac, Sackville, Richibucto, Saint John, Sussex, and St. Stephen.

• According to Job Futures, Canada's demand has increased because the growing and aging population requires more health services, and new technologies have improved the ability to diagnose and treat disease.
• Shortages in Nova Scotia are projected over the next 5 years.

• Currently the chances of qualified medical radiation technologists finding employment are considered to be good in this local area.
• Employment potential is good because there are current opportunities with the local health board.
• People in this field tend to be employed at a local hospital.

• Currently the chances of qualified medical radiation technologists finding employment are considered to be good in this local area.
• Halifax is a major centre for special medical treatments.
• Competition for these workers from employers elsewhere enhances local job prospects as well.
• Hospitals are the main employers of these workers in the area.

• This is a small occupational group locally, but area hospitals are experiencing a shortage of qualified technologists, therefore employment prospects are good
• The Guysborough area in particular is having difficulty filling available positions at several of its hospitals.

• In P.E.I., the employment outlook for this occupation is good. The employment outlook is especially good for MRTs who are multi-skilled in a number of the subspecialties in this occupation.
• The expansion at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is expected to create some new positions.
• Additional opportunities are expected to result from replacement needs due to retirements.
• Most of the medical radiation technologists in P.E.I. work in one of the two acute care hospitals; the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Prince County Hospital.