Careers and Training
A Career as a Medical Imaging Technologist (MIT) or Radiation Therapist (RT)
For full information, visit the Careers NZ website.
What do Medical Imaging Technologists and Radiation Therapists do?
MITs and RTs are pivotal in the delivery of modern medicine. There ar: diagnostic and therapeutic.
Medical Imaging Technologists (Diagnostic):
Diagnostic MITs employ a range of different imaging techniques and sophisticated equipment to produce high quality images of an injury or disease. Diagnostic MITs will perform the x-ray imaging to facilitate the referrer to correctly treat the patient. They use a range of techniques including:
• X-rays • Ultrasound • Fluoroscopy • CT (computed tomography) • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) • Nuclear medicine • Angiography • PET/CT
Radiation Therapists (Therapeutic):
Radiation Therapists play a vital role in the delivery of radiotherapy services. They are the only healthcare professionals qualified to plan and deliver radiotherapy. RTs work closely with clinical oncologists, medical physicists and engineers.
RTs are responsible for the planning and delivery of accurate radiotherapy treatments using a wide range of technical equipment. The accuracy of these are critical to treat the tumour and destroy the diseased tissue, while minimising the amount of exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
NZ Training Providers
The MRTB has accredited a number of qualifications for the purpose of registration in the following scopes of practice.
Medical Imaging Technologist
- Bachelor of Medical Imaging issued by Ara, Institute of Canterbury
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) issued by the Universal College of Learning (UCOL).
- Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) issued by the Unitec Institute of Technology (Unitec).
- Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours) issued by The University of Auckland
Radiation Therapist:
- Bachelor of Radiation Therapy issued by the University of Otago.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences in Magnetic Resonance Imaging issued by the University of Auckland.
Sonographer:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences in Ultrasound issued by the University of Auckland.
Nuclear Medicine:
- The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science Medical Imaging (Nuclear Medicine) issued by the University of Auckland.
Working in New Zealand
MIT and RT education in New Zealand is degree level and all pre-registration courses are at least three years in length, full-time.
To work as an MIT or RT in New Zealand, it is necessary to be registered with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board – to practice you must hold a current Annual Practising Certificate. All the information you require is online or alternatively you can phone them on +64 4 801 6250 Ext 1 (from New Zealand 04 8016250).
If you trained overseas the MRTB will consider each case individually and will look at the length and level of the training leading to qualification and to the experience gained working as an MRT overseas.
Seeking Employment
Take a look at the Job Vacancies section on this website.
The New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT)
The NZIMRT is the professional body for MITs and Radiation Therapists in New Zealand. It is not mandatory to join but most like to take advantage and have the security of the membership benefits, publications, professional support and myCPD.