Medical Technologists and Technicians (Except Dental) (NOC 321)

What They Do Medical laboratory technologists conduct experiments/analyses of medical specimens and samples. Medical laboratory technicians conduct supervised routine tests and maintain medical laboratory equipment. Pathologists' assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens and perform autopsies under supervision. Respiratory and radiation therapists; medical sonographers and radiological technologists; and nuclear medicine, cardiology, electromyography and electroencephalographic technologists perform diagnostic tests, X-rays, and treatments. Clinical perfusionists operate and monitor circulation and other technical devices during open-heart surgery. Dietary technicians assist food service professionals. Prosthetists and orthotists design, build, fit, and repair artificial limbs, braces, and other prosthetics and orthotics. Prosthetic and orthotic technicians assist prosthetists and orthotists.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Health care and social assistance 78% Other professional scientific and technical services 8% Educational services 3% Scientific research and development services 2% Miscellaneous manufacturing 1% Public administration 1% People in this group work in: Hospitals, clinics, and other health care institutions Government and other research laboratories Radiological and medical laboratories Universities Respiratory home care services Medical devices manufacturing companies Other organizations The unionization rate (59%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Medical Technologists and Technicians (Except Dental Health) are found in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

Related Occupation(s) Other Technical Inspectors and Regulatory Officers (NOC 226) Medical Radiation Technologists (NOC 3215) Medical Laboratory Technicians (NOC 3212) Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants (NOC 3211)

Something to Think About To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider: Continually updating your knowledge Improving interpersonal skills Setting standards and guidelines for safety/operations

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need To be a medical technologist or technician, you must have a high school diploma and specialized training. You usually need a college program or a bachelor's degree and supervised practical or clinical training. You may need registration or certification within a professional association. You may need a licence in the province/territory where you'll work. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma and almost 3 in 10 have an undergraduate university degree.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Medical Laboratory Technologies (C550) Radiography, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine Technologies (C580) Agricultural Technologies (C610) Biology (U620) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Multidisciplinary teamwork Business procedures Interpersonal skills		Useful High School Subjects Physics Chemistry Biology Math
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated GOOD because: Employement grew at an above-average rate. Hourly wages ($21.87) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is above average. The unemployment rate (2%) is below the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Good   2009   Good

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be GOOD because: The employment growth rate will likely be above average because of ongoing trends--a growing and aging population that requires more health services, new technologies that improve the ability to diagnose disease, increased government funding for health care, and Canadians with health care insurance that covers more services. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition You'll need to continually update your skills to keep pace with rapidly changing medical technologies which are growing in complexity and scope

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $14.73 $11.74 25-54 $22.45 $19.76 55+ $23.95 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $21.87 $18.07		Hourly wages ($21.87) are close to the national average ($18.07). These earnings are close to the average for occupations in the health sector and above average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an above-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Below the average
The unemployment rate (2%) is below the 2004 average (7%). This rate is below the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 2% 10% 1992 2% 11% 1993 3% 11% 1994 3% 10% 1995 2% 10% 1996 3% 10% 1997 2% 9% 1998 2% 8% 1999 2% 8% 2000 2% 7% 2001 1% 7% 2002 1% 8% 2003 2% 8% 2004 2% 7%

% of part-time work is about the same as average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 80% 81% Part-time 20% 19%		There were 82,300 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 23% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers is 20% compared to the 2004 average (19%) and has stayed about the same since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Average
The percentage of self-employed workers (2%) is close to the 2004 average (15%) and has risen since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 2% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 8% 10% 25-54 84% 72% 55+ 8% 12%		The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average influenced by a similar-to-average age of workers (40).
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Above average
The percentage of women (84%) is above the 2004 average of 48% and has stayed about the same since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 84% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31