Develop your expertise in Medical Radiation Technology through a combination of theoretical learning and clinical practice.

This three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma program provides you with the essential knowledge and technical skills required to produce radiographic images and perform diagnostic and therapeutic imaging procedures.

Medical Radiation Technology is a diverse and dynamic field. Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) are healthcare professionals who play a vital role in patient diagnosis by producing high-quality radiographic examinations. They must be able to work effectively in stressful situations, think critically and communicate clearly.

Working independently and collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, MRTs produce and analyze a variety of complex diagnostic images to assist physicians in diagnosing and managing disorders affecting multiple body systems.

During three semesters of theory, simulation and practical laboratory practice, you learn how to produce high-quality radiographic images. You apply health, safety, and quality-assurance principles while performing venipuncture, interacting with simulated patients, and working with ionizing radiation in laboratory and clinical settings.

During three semesters of clinical practicum, you strengthen your technical, professional and collaborative skills, preparing you to contribute as a valued member of the healthcare team.

This program provides you with the skills and experience needed for professional success to work as a Medical Radiation Technologist. Algonquin College's Medical Radiation Technology program is accredited by Accreditation Canada EQual. Graduates of this accredited program are eligible to write the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists' National Entry-to-Practice Certification Exam.

Upon successful completion of the national certification exam, you will earn the designation of Registered Technologist, Radiological Technology (RTR). To practice in Ontario, graduates must register with the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO). Once registered, you may use the specialty title Medical Radiation Technologist - Radiography, or MRT(R).

You may find employment in:

• community and teaching hospitals
• medical clinics
• education and research settings
• private industry

Careers

Graduates may find employment in community and teaching hospitals, medical clinics, education and research settings and in private industry. Upon successful completion of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) national certification exam, graduates must register with the College of Medical and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO) to be eligible for employment in Ontario.

Pathways

Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Produce and assess a variety of high-quality diagnostic images employing current technologies for image acquisition and processing.
2. Interpret requests and adapt procedures relative to patient and diagnostic image requirements in routine and complex clinical cases.
3. Comply with relevant legislation, regulations and ethical standards for the best practice in diagnostic imaging.
4. Employ accepted radiation, health and safety practices with self, patients, their families, and healthcare team members in a variety of clinical settings.
5. Provide quality care to diverse patients in assessment, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic intervention, while incorporating patient advocacy and education to patients, their family, healthcare team members and the public.
6. Monitor patients' status at all times and respond to emergency situations where indicated.
7. Operate, calibrate, set up, troubleshoot and evaluate a variety of complex equipment safely.
8. Analyze a broad range of diagnostic imaging procedures to assist physicians in the diagnosis and management of multiple system disorders.
9. Interact with patients, their families, the healthcare team members and the public using effective communication and interpersonal skills.
10. Exhibit behaviour consistent with the professional role of a medical radiation technologist, including teamwork, provision of health education and establishment of strategies for lifelong learning.
11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGY
Program Code 1615X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application
process information: https://algonquincollege.my.site.com/myac360/s/

For further information on the admissions process, please visit:
Admissions - Registrar's Office https://algonquincollege.com/ro/admissions/

Program Resources

ACCEPTED APPLICANTS MUST

Lab and Clinical Placement Eligibility:

All eligibility requirements must be submitted through Placement Pass by ParaMed, a third-party service that verifies compliance. Students are responsible for all associated fees, which are outlined in the Tuition Fees section.

Lab Requirements:

• Program labs are held off-site at local hospitals in the evening. Students must meet the following mandatory requirements to attend labs.
• Proof of a clear Police Records Check for Service with Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS) is required annually.
• Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, following the standards outlined in the Canadian Immunization Guide.
• Completion of required e-Learning modules; additional information will be provided.

Clinical Placement Requirements:
To be eligible to participate in clinical placement activities, students must complete and submit all requirements.

• Proof of a clear PRCSVS is required annually.
• Evidence of current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Training, CPR Basic Rescuer C Level certification, and Standard First Aid certification. . Evidence of mask fit testing for N95-equivalent masks.
• Completion of the Pre-Placement Health Form.
• De-escalation training, provided through Algonquin College; additional information will be provided.

OTHER INFORMATION

1. Licensing Requirements
   
   • The medical radiation technology profession is regulated by the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO). There are a number of registration requirements. To find out if you would be eligible to practice in Ontario, please visit the website: www.cmrito.org/applicants/registration-requirements
   • Written and verbal fluency in English or French is essential in this field and is a requirement for registration with CMRITO.
   
   
2. Physical Demands
   The role of a Medical Radiation Technologist is physically demanding. Students entering this program must possess the ability to safely lift and transfer patients from wheelchairs and stretchers to examination tables, as well as the capacity to move quickly to ensure patient safety. Entering the program without these essential skills may result in unsuccessful clinical placements and, consequently, an inability to meet the requirements for graduation.


3. Intensiveness of the Program
   The MRT program is intensive with a heavy course load and lab
   requirements. The training and practice requirements of the program are both physically and emotionally demanding and require students to be able to manage their personal responses to stress to be successful.


4. Scheduling
   
   • Students can expect an average of 23 hours per week of scheduled theory and lab classes in Terms 1, 2, and 3, and 37.5 hours per week of clinical placement in Terms 4, 5, and 6.
   • The program timetable includes daytime and evening classes/labs, with occasional weekend scheduling.
   • Students admitted in the Fall and Winter intakes will merge into a single, larger cohort in Level 3 and will complete their clinical practicum during the same period.
   
   
5. Lab Requirements
   
   • Students are required to participate in protocol lab simulations both as a patient and a student technologist.
   • Protocol labs provide students with opportunities to simulate positioning, patient management, and quality control.
   • Venipuncture labs require students to participate both as student technologists and as patients.
   • Students will practice inserting IV needles and will also receive IV needle insertions from a classmate under direct supervision.
   • Students must attend all labs and complete all pre and post lab requirements to progress.
   
   
6. Clinical Practicums
   
   • Clinical practicum (CP) placements are completed in level 4, 5, and 6.
   • Due to the limited number of placements in the Ottawa region, there is a high likelihood that students will be required to relocate outside of the Ottawa region for clinical practicum. Clinical sites are vetted by the program to ensure that the same learning outcomes can be achieved by all students.
   • All related clinical practicum expenses such as moving, lodging, travel, parking, food are the responsibility of the student.
   • During clinical practicum, students who commit significant professional or safety infractions may be removed from the clinical site and pending the results of an investigation may receive an F grade for the clinical placement course.
   • If there is an interruption to the clinical practicum of one term or longer, the student must enroll in and successfully complete a mandatory skills-enhancement course before returning to the clinical environment. The student is responsible for the cost of this course. Returning status will be granted based on the availability of clinical sites.
   • Clinical practicum placements mimic a regular work week. Students will follow a schedule provided by the placement site.
   • Clinical sites are assigned following a fair and transparent lottery process.