Applications open on October 1 and close on February 15 each academic year. On February 15, paper applications are accepted until 4:30 p.m., and online applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. (CST). All supporting documentation is required by 4:30 p.m. (CST) on March 15. Where the 15th falls upon a weekend, documents will be due the following Monday.
Radiological technologists produce images of body parts and systems using X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and breast imaging equipment. You need to be diligent, detail-oriented and committed to high work standards. You also need to be comfortable positioning and touching patients, as well as talking with them. If you’re considering a career in health - one that lets you work one-on-one with people and use state-of-the-art medical equipment - Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Medical Radiologic Technology program might be for you.
Start date
September
Length
96 weeks
Location(s)
SaskatoonMedical Radiologic Technology is a nationally accredited two-and-a-half-year advanced diploma program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus . You’ll get hands-on training in the use of radiographic equipment, learn how to position patients to get the best images and learn to critique images. You’ll also develop knowledge and skills in:
- anatomy and physiology
- examination techniques
- patient care
- professionalism
- radiation safety and protection
- X-ray equipment
International applicants are not currently considered for admission to this competitive program.
Practical, hands-on learning
Diploma to degree
Leverage your advanced diploma into the Bachelor of Applied Management degree at Saskatchewan Polytechnic with only two years of additional study. Remote classes and part-time options are available.
You can use your Medical Radiologic Technology advanced diploma to ladder into a degree program at the University of Regina or Athabasca University in Alberta. A degree is usually required if you are interested in moving into management or teaching positions.
Serve in the Canadian Forces
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Medical Radiologic Technology program is recognized by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), which means you can qualify for full-time subsidized education through their non-commissioned member subsidized training and education plan (NCMSTEP).
Visit Canadian Armed Forces Paid Education Programs (pdf) for more information on paid education programs.
Visit Medical Radiation Technologist or browse careers section.
Learning environment
- Students will experience a mix of traditional lectures, web-assisted learning, practical and simulation labs.
- The program requires students to enter with a strong math and science base (physics and biology). The program builds on these subjects.
- There is a heavy workload with 20 - 30 hours/week of homework. Classes are Monday - Friday with variable hours between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Clinical practicum hours will coincide with health care hours, and may include early morning start times (5 or 6 a.m.), evening, night or weekend shifts.
- Saskatoon
- Clinical practicum placement may occur at any approved site in Saskatchewan.
- Note: All students may require a rotation at a secondary site to meet program requirements.
- 40 week clinical, which includes:
- 24 weeks in second year and 16 weeks in third year at approved sites within Saskatchewan.
- Alternate sites will be required to meet program requirements.
- Clinical practicum experiences are assigned by the Medical Diagnostics Committee on Practicum Placements (COPP). Students will have an opportunity to rank their preferred location; however, there is no guarantee that students will receive their preferred clinical site assignment.
- Students are responsible for arranging their own travel, accommodations and parking costs during their studies and clinical experience.
- Clinical experiences may require travel and/or accommodations at more than one clinical location to meet all program requirements.
- Students will continue with their didactic studies through online learning while on their clinical experience, and stable Internet access is required.
- Enrolment in the program will require acceptance of a clinical placement anywhere within Saskatchewan. Clinical placements are determined during the program closer to the dates for practicum experiences.
Career and salary information
Your career
Medical radiologic technologists work for regional/provincial health districts, government health agencies, educational institutions, and both private and public radiology clinics. MRTs may also work as application specialists for vendors of medical equipment. You could work in a trauma centre, regional hospitals, public or private radiology clinics and urgent care centres.
Medical radiologic technologists perform invasive procedures such as intravenous (IV) placement for IV contrast administration and rectal tube placement for barium enemas. MRTs may have to perform x-rays in trauma situations or in the operating room where they will be exposed to patients with severe injuries as well as to blood and bodily fluids. Attending to the morgue to take portable x-rays is also within the scope of practice. MRTs will work a variety of shifts including days, early mornings (5 or 6 a.m.), evenings, weekends, nights, stat holidays and on call.
An average day as a medical radiologic technologist would include:
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves when dealing with patients and equipment.
- Make critical decisions with accuracy.
- Maintain concentration for long periods of time in a rapidly changing environment.
- Require good hand eye coordination.
- Sustain long periods of standing.
- Thoroughly know human anatomy and a large number of pathologies, how they appear on radiographic images and how to position patients so the required anatomy and pathologies are properly demonstrated.
- Understand x-ray equipment and the technical factors required to operate the equipment so they can protect patients and themselves from being exposed to excess radiation.
- Communicate clearly with the patient as to what they are doing and what they need the patient to do.
- Touch the patient when positioning them for x-rays, CT scans and mammograms.
- Assist the patient with removing hearing aids, dentures and any other artifact that may impede obtaining optimal images.
- Comfort and assist patients who may be fragile, fearful, have dementia or be in extreme pain.
- Assist patients who are nauseous or experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort that may lead to being in contact with bodily fluids.
- Communicates and interacts professionally with a variety of people including (but
not limited to):
- Cardiology technicians
- Radiologists
- Doctors and nurses
- EMS professionals
- Other MRTs
- Patients and their families
- Pharmacists
- Porters
- MRT/CLXT students
- Sask Polytech instructors and staff
Potential careers
| Sample job title | NOC classification |
|---|---|
| Medical radiation technologist | Medical radiation technologists (MRT) (32121) |
| Radiography technologist | Medical radiation technologists (MRT) (32121) |
| X-ray (radiology) technician | Medical radiation technologists (MRT) (32121) |
Admissions
Admission requirements
- Grade 12 with a minimum grade of 70% in English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 or Calculus 30*, Chemistry 30 and Biology 30
- English Language Requirement (see Program-Specific ELP Requirements section)
*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirements also accepted:
- Minimum of 70% in Math B30 or Math C30
Note
- Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search upon admission into the program. At the discretion of the practicum agency, you may be declined access to a clinical or work placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is your responsibility.
- Accepted applicants are required to provide current immunization records and meet Saskatchewan Polytechnic immunization requirements prior to entry into clinical practicum.
- Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 mask testing prior to the start of clinical practicums as directed by the program. N95 mask testing is valid for two (2) years from the date of completion. Retesting may be required during your studies. The cost of N95 mask testing is your responsibility.
- Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility. Register for WHMIS.
- Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of Transferring Lifting Repositioning (TLR®) certification or Safe Moving and Repositioning Techniques (SMART®) certification upon admission to the program. TLR® or SMART® certification is valid for three (3) years from the date of completion. Recertification may be required during your studies. The cost of TLR® or SMART® certification is your responsibility. Register for TLR (SPCR-1004).
Admission method
Competitive
The competitive admissions process is used for programs where the number of qualified applicants regularly exceeds the number of spaces available. In competitive programs, higher admission requirements and/or additional selection criteria may be required. The application period for this program is October 1 to February 15, each academic year. All supporting documentation is required by 4:30 p.m. (CST) on March 15. Where the 15th falls upon a weekend, documents will be due the following Monday.
See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.
Selection criteria
The competitive score will be used to determine successful applications, based on highest admission averages.
Transcripts:
- High School Graduates: The competitive score is calculated from final marks in high school courses required for admission to the program. The high school competitive score will be compared to the weighted average of a minimum of 15 passed post-secondary credit units to a maximum of 30 of the most recent credit units from recognized post-secondary institutions - and the highest score will be considered for the applicant's final competitive score. Such applicants must be in good academic standing with the institution. Applicants are then ranked in the order of the highest score.
- Current High School Students: The competitive score is calculated from final marks provided by March 15. Conditional admission may be granted on this basis. Current high school students must order transcripts to be sent directly to Saskatchewan Polytechnic at the end of Semester 1 and the end of Semester 2 of the grade 12 year. The final grade 12 mark will be used when the course is completed. The final grade 11 mark will be used only in the absence of the grade 12 mark in the same subject.
Tuition and fees
Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.
2025-26 academic year
Year 1 - $14,110
Year 2 - $13,700
Year 3 - $5,850
Additional programs costs that students are responsible for include:
Year one requirements:
- Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search
- approx. $75
- Immunizations
- no cost if immunizations are completed with Sask Polytech health nurse.
- completed outside of Saskatchewan Polytechnic range from $90.00 to $120.00 for Hepatitis B series
- Transfer, Lift, Reposition (TLR)
- Students should enroll into a course a minimum of 1-2 months prior to program start
as courses fill up quickly.
CLXT and MRT must take full TLR - (course code to register into is SPCR-1004) - approx. $100 to $185
- Students should enroll into a course a minimum of 1-2 months prior to program start
as courses fill up quickly.
- WHMIS 2015 - Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification
- Approx. $35
- Students will be required to purchase a laptop for use at the start of their program.
Students will be expected to bring it with them on registration day. Associated expenses
are the students' responsibility.
- Windows 11 or MacBook OS13 to o13+; iOS 11.0+ (iPad only) minimum 4 GB of Ram and Webcam required.
- Note: Chromebook is not compatible with the required systems.
- Learning Resources that must be purchased by the program and then is charged back
to the student:
- Complete Anatomy APP - approx. $65-80 – will appear on student account within first month of program.
- CT Application Training APP – approx. cost $125-130 – will appear on student account in the spring.
Year two requirements:
- CPR C/AED (Health Care Provider) required for year two of programming – recognized
by the program for two years from date of certification. If expires during programming
student must recertify.
- approx. $130 to $160
- Mask FIT Testing - two sizes
- N95 - approx. $75 to $125
- Mask Fit testing is recommended to be updated annually, however, it is mandatory to be updated every two years. If expiry date occurs during programming student must re-submit proof of testing to the program. Cost of re-testing is the student's responsibility.
- Students will be required to purchase an iPad or tablet size device or a smartphone
with data plan for use during their clinical practicum experience and have stable
Internet access. Associated expenses are the students' responsibility.
- Most recent iOS version (apple), version 5.0 or greater (android), 8 GB minimum, stylus.
- One of the latest versions of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Apple Safari (Internet connection).
- Students must routinely have access to a laptop or desktop computer for coursework.
- Students are responsible for all travel/parking/accommodation costs associated with their clinical experience.
Courses
Get credit for what you know
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.
Due to professional certification, licensing and/or regulation, some courses cannot be assessed through PLAR.
See the Candidate Guide below for this program’s PLAR offerings.
Transfer credit
Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.
| Institution | Details |
|---|---|
| Athabasca University | Graduates of this program may be eligible for block transfer of 60 credit units into the Bachelor of Science Post Diploma program or 30 credit units toward BSc (PD) with Majors in Applied Mathematics, Computing Information Systems and/or Human Science. |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology | Graduates of this program may be eligible for direct admission into the two-year Bachelor of Technology program at NAIT. |
| Thompson Rivers University | Graduates of this program may be granted a maximum of 69 transfer credits into the Bachelor of Health Science. |
| University of Regina | Graduates of this program may be eligible to enter the third year of the 4-year Bachelor of Medical Imaging program. |
Student awards
Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.
Accreditation
Accreditation Canada/EQual Canada has accorded the MRT program full accredited status for a six year term.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Medical Radiologic Technology (MRT) program is an accredited program. Program content is based on the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists competency profile with topics added as appropriate for addressing local needs.
Graduates are eligible to write the national Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) certification exam, which allows you to work anywhere in Canada. You are also eligible for licensure with the Saskatchewan Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (SAMRT).
The cost of Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists national certification examination is the responsibility of the student. For more information, see camrt.ca/certification-4.
Related programs
Combined Laboratory and X-ray Technology
