Radiation technologists and radiation therapists work as part of a large and highly important health care team, and OPSEU/SEFPO is proud to be the bargaining agent for many of them. If you’ve ever had an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, nuclear medicine procedure or radiation therapy, you have been in contact with an MRT.
This week is a chance for all MRTs to celebrate what they do and gives everyone else a chance to learn about the essential role they play. The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) is using MRT Week as the springboard for a new national awareness campaign. This campaign will serve as a matter of pride in the profession, but also to help attract more people to the field.
It is no secret that Ontario’s hospitals have been facing staffing shortages in numerous areas of healthcare. This includes our labs, ultrasound services, nuclear medicine, and diagnostic imaging, just to name a few. Recruitment and retention of these positions has been a problem that continues to go unaddressed. It will continue to affect access to care for Ontarians if action is not taken to resolve this issue.
The CAMRT has set up channels to help spread the word. You can Follow CAMRT channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use the hashtag #MRTWeek2020 to see what others are doing and to share your stories and good wishes.
We thank MRTs for the vital work that they do. They are another example of the front-line members who enrich our union and contribute greatly to making Ontario a great province in which to live.