Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologist

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Medical Laboratory Technologists (3211.1);  Radiological Technologists (3215.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists Assistants (D211);  Medical Radiation Technologists (D215) 
• 2011 NOC: Medical laboratory technologists (3211);  Medical radiation technologists (3215) 

In general, combined laboratory and x-ray technologists:

• collect, prepare, and analyze patient samples
• take blood (from veins in the arm, finger, heel, or elsewhere)
• do procedures in hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, and point-of-care testing (such as glucose meter readings)
• follow lab safety procedures (such as radiation safety rules and regulations)
• perform quality assurance and quality control checks (to make sure test results are right)
• explain x-ray procedures to patients
• answer patients’ questions
• assess and monitor patients and find help if needed
• position patients and equipment for x-ray exams
• use diagnostic imaging equipment correctly
• identify parts of the body in diagnostic images
• perform electrocardiograms (ECGs)
• check if ECG tracings are technically accurate
• identify critical ECG, x-ray and lab results
• use computers to operate equipment and report results
• transfer patients (using proper body mechanics)
• do clerical duties
• maintain and check tools, x-ray and lab equipment (to make sure they work properly).

Combined laboratory and x-ray technologists work closely with other health care providers. These include medical technologists, health record technicians, nurses, radiologists, doctors, and others.

Combined laboratory and x-ray technologists often work in rural hospitals with 15 to 60 beds. Some work in extremely remote locations. They rarely work in urban hospitals.

Hospital-based laboratory and x-ray technologists do shift work. Sometimes they are on call.

They need to take safety measures to avoid back strain and repetitive stress injuries. They must take care to reduce their risk of infection or injury when working with infectious patients, samples or chemicals.

This work is physically demanding. Technologists are on their feet for most of their shifts. They may need to help move patients.

Combined laboratory and x-ray technologists need to possess:

• a sense of responsibility
• a high degree of integrity
• sensitivity (to the needs of ill and injured people)
• good health (for example, no back or leg problems)
• speaking and listening skills
• people skills
• the ability to be organized
• the ability to do detailed, accurate work
• good vision (especially colour and form perception to study blood cells)
• the ability to work alone or as part of a team
• the ability to multitask when working alone
• the ability to handle high-stress situations
• the ability to troubleshoot
• the ability to accommodate patients’ needs.

They should enjoy:

• gathering test results and patient information
• setting up and using complex medical equipment
• working with the public and other health care providers.

Most combined laboratory and x-ray technologists work in small (often rural) hospitals. But some may work in larger hospitals, health care centres, or private or public clinics using a partial skill set.

In Alberta, combined laboratory and x-ray technologists are part of two larger 2011 National Occupational Classifications: 3211 Medical laboratory technologists and pathologists’ assistants and 3215 Medical radiation technologists.

89% of people employed in the Medical laboratory technologists and pathologists’ assistants group work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.

94% of people in the Medical radiation technologists group work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

In Alberta, the D211: Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists Assistants occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.7% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 74 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

In Alberta, the D215: Medical Radiation Technologists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.9% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 94 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta College of Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists (ACCLXT) website: www.acclxt.ca

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.