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About Medical Radiation Technologists
Medical Radiation Technologists
A medical radiation technologist (MRT) is the qualified professional who uses radiation or electromagnetism to produce diagnostic images of a patient's body or who administers radiation to treat patients for certain medical conditions, on the order of a physician.
During two to five years of intensive education, MRTs are trained to use sophisticated and complex imaging and radiation therapy equipment . MRTs use this equipment on the order of a physician to produce images of different parts of the body which are then interpreted by a physician. MRTs also apply radiation to parts of the body for radiation therapy, again on the order of a physician.
MRTs work within one of four specialties in medical radiation technology:
- Radiography is the use of x-rays to produce images of parts of the body on film or on computer screens. For example, mammograms, chest x-rays, barium enemas and CT scans.
- Radiation Therapy is the treatment of disease with radiation which involves the use of radiation to destroy diseased cells in the body; for example, cancer.
- Nuclear Medicine is the use of low-level radioactive substances which are injected, swallowed or inhaled to produce diagnostic images of how the body functions. For example, bone scans, cardiac stress testing, and lung scans.
- Magnetic resonance is the use of electromagnetism (static magnetic fields and radio frequencies) to produce diagnostic images. Magnetic resonance imaging procedures play a significant role in imaging the brain, spine, abdomen, pelvis and the musculoskeletal system.
In addition to using radiation and electromagnetism, there are four procedures that MRTs are authorized to perform on the order of a physician, according to Ontario's Medical Radiation Technology Act which governs the profession. These are:
- Taking blood samples from veins
For example, in some nuclear medicine procedures blood is drawn from the veins, mixed with a radioactive substance and then injected back into the body
- Administering substances by injection or inhalation
In radiography, magnetic resonance and radiation therapy, a special dye (contrast) may be injected to make certain parts of the body, such as the kidney or certain tissues, visible on the images; in nuclear medicine, a radioactive substance is injected to make images of certain body functions, such as the beating of the heart
- Administering contrast media through or into the rectum or an artificial opening into the body
For example, in radiography, barium may be administered into the rectum to make the colon visible on the x-ray
- Tattooing
In radiation therapy, sometimes tiny tattoo marks are made on the skin to ensure that a patient will always be positioned precisely and accurately over a course of radiation treatment
Professionals -- And Keeping It That Way
MRTs are members of a regulated health care profession; as such they must conduct themselves in a completely professional manner. MRTs in this province must be registered with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario. Standards of Practice developed by the College outline what is considered satisfactory performance for MRTs.
These standards cover the technical aspects of the procedure and also how patients are to be treated. The MRT who is assisting patients by performing an imaging or treatment procedure is expected to meet these standards, and the College makes sure that MRTs work with the public according to these standards.
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