Diagnostic imaging

Alberta recognizes that medical diagnostics play a vital part in the delivery of quality health care. As such, Alberta is committed to providing quality diagnostic and interventional examinations, making it a leader in health care delivery and health care innovations. Alberta continues to invest in the finest high-tech equipment, education, and research to help improve access to these vital services and provide patients with timely and quality health care.

One of the Alberta government's top priorities is to provide competitive job opportunities and advanced approaches to delivering health care services. As such, Alberta offers diagnostic technicians a wealth of challenging and rewarding opportunities, a high standard of living and a variety exciting activities/festivals to enjoy.

Working as a Diagnostic Technician/Technologist in Alberta

Medical diagnostics technicians/technologists obtain images or perform tests on samples taken from organs, tissues, blood flow, and structures in the human body. These tests and images are used for clinical/medical purposes and help physicians to examine, discover, diagnose, and treat medical conditions.

Medical diagnostics technicians/technologists obtain images or perform tests on samples taken from organs, tissues, blood flow, and structures in the human body. These tests and images are used for clinical/medical purposes and help physicians to examine, discover, diagnose, and treat medical conditions.

Medical diagnostic services include such technologies as microscopy, laboratory testing and analysis of blood, general X-ray, mammography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, nuclear medicine, fluoroscopy, general radiology, CAT scans, interventional/angio and more.

Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists

Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists(CLXTs) are trained in a combination of disciplines, both in medical laboratory and X-ray technology, and their practice ranges from laboratory sampling to monitoring patients, which allows them to work in a variety of settings. CLXTs can conduct routine medical laboratory tests, collect, prepare and analyze patient samples; perform general radiography and electrocardiograms; take blood (venipuncture and capillary puncture); provide general patient care; and maintain equipment and instruments ensuring they are working properly.

CLXTs work primarily in rural hospitals and clinics as their combined skill set helps address the needs in these communities. They can also find employment in other sectors such as urban medical laboratories, diagnostic imaging clinics, health care centres, public and private clinics, larger hospitals, and cardiology departments.

Find out more about being a Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologist in Alberta.

Medical Laboratory Technologists

Medical Laboratory Technologists(MLTs) perform laboratory tests and procedures on blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids by using instruments such as microscopes, chemicals, computers and complex laboratory equipment. They may also conduct medical research and analyses.

The work conducted by MLTs is necessary in helping physicians to diagnose, monitor, treat, and prevent disease. MLTs may specialize in clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, cytotechnology, and clinical genetics. They are also known as Biological Sciences Technicians/Technologists, Health Care Technologists, Laboratory Technicians/Technologists and Medical Technologists.

Find out more about being a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Alberta.

Medical Radiation Technologists

Medical Radiation Technologists (includes: medical radiological technologists, radiation therapists, medical resonance technologists, nuclear medical technologists and electroneurophysiology technologists) operate equipment to produce images that are used to diagnose diseases and injuries, and also use equipment to administer treatments. They may be involved with a broad variety of procedures and specialties including plain film, radiography mammography, angiography, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computerized tomography (CT or CAT scans). They are also known as X-ray technologists, Health Care Technologists, Medical Technologists, Therapists Health Care Technologists and Magnetic Imaging Technologists.

Find out more about being a Medical Radiation Technologist in Alberta.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body, including fetuses. Sonographers work directly with patients and some of their duties include obtaining and recording a patient's medical history, analyzing technical information, recommending expanding the scope of the procedure if necessary, and summarizing the technical findings to physicians in their diagnosis.

Sonographers require an in-depth understanding of ultrasound physics, physiology, pathology, and anatomy, and work as part of a health care team which may include doctors, nurses, and other medical technologists. Ultrasound is used to monitor pregnancies, assist in diagnosing heart, vascular, abdominal, pelvic, and brain disorders, and assist in some medical procedures such as placing drainage catheters or conducting biopsies. Diagnostic medical sonographers are also known as Health Care Technologists, Medical Sonographers, Medical Technologists, and Ultrasound Technologists.

Find out more about being a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Alberta.