Canadian Radiography Student

Hello there everyone!
So I'm a Canadian Radiography student at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. I'm at the end of my 1st of 3 years for MRT (Medical Radiation Technology as we call it here, actually it's my 2nd year because I had to complete a 1 year Pre-Health Science program to even get into the MRT program, 60 accepted of over 1000 or more applicants) for an advanced diploma. When I'm done I'll be able to work in general x-ray, fluoroscopy, and CT. I have a 15 month hospital placement I'm going into Jan 2012 too. I'll be part of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. I'm getting kind of sick of the cold here and my wife is too. We're entertaining the thought of moving to Florida when I'm done school and have saved enough money, hopefully the housing market continues to stay as cheap as it is now. Maybe Cape Coral, Melbourne, Miami, someplace that it's nice a warm all year round :). Anyways my mother was born in Utah so I can claim my citizen easier I believe. So my questions are
1) Do you know what the process is for a Canadian licensed MRT/RT to join the ASRT/ARRT (? not sure which is the national governing body).
2) The cap for an MRT in Ontario and Alberta is 75,000 Canadian/Yr. The rest of the provinces it's lower, especially in the Atlantic Provinces. What is the cap (not average or starting, I don't care about that, I KNOW I'll start at the bottom no matter where I go) for an RT who can work X-Ray, CT, and Fluoro?
3) As far as Health care and insurance goes, I know that the Lee Memorial Hospitals in Cape Coral/Ft. Myers offers health insurance to its employees? What could I except to be paying into that or my deductibles be? I'm not 100% familiar with how that health care insurance works in the States, here we just flash a card and we're good to go.

That's about it,
Thank you.

Go to www.arrt.org to get most of the info on how to obtain your Radiologic Technologist License in the States. ARRT.org is the national governing body for RT's in the States. I think you may be required to take exam.
Once u get your license, every other things will fall in place. I worked as a Rad Tech in the States for 5 yrs before moving to Ontario,the assesment has taken 4 months in Ontario, CA and and i will be taking CARMT exam as soon as they're done with the assesment.
Good luck to you! You will love it in Florida!

hi jerr in hamilton! i just immigrated to canada from kansas and i am scheduled to take the CMRTO exam september 20, 2011. i had a few questions about the exam and what books you might have used to study! thanks!

and good luck jake with your ARRT exam in the states!! i graduted in 2006 and worked in various states across the US. let me know if you have any questions. i can do my best to help.

Hi Mel, Good to hear that u'll be taking CMRTO exam soon. I'm still going thru assessment by the Ontario Rad tech board. They're are done with the initial assessment, now I have to wait for their committee's decision. How long did it take u to finish the assessment and get approved to take exam? Did it take you that long? 'Cause I started the process in February and still here waiting.

For ur exam, i heard its not difficult, just prepare the way u did 4 ARRT exam. Here are a few links that helps:
www.nait.ca/course_DIB108.asp

www.camrt.ca/certification/international/recommendedtextbooks/textsRTR.pdf

I think any good Canadian Rad Tech review textbook will help as well.
Did u write to Jake, maybe he can help us on books to obtain here.
Keep me posted Mel and my best in ur exams!

hi! sorry it took me so long to get back to you. the CAMRTO had my full application for exactly 4 months. the review committee went over my application on two different occasions. they decided that my education was comparable to that of an ontario based radiology program. they granted me registry eligible, and i signed up to take the exam september 20th 2011. i have a little over 5 weeks to prep for my exam. and found out that the majority of my books used in my ARRT studies are the exact same for CAMRTO.

and wow! i am surprised it is taking them that long to decide. good luck and i hope you hear something soon. i know they offer the exam 4 times a year so hopefully you can sign up right away and take it. you should start studying now just in case!! let me know how it goes!

mel

Thanks for ur reply! Good luck in ur coming exam. Please share the list of books u are using for the exam prep. I'll be emailing after ur exam also to know what its like. take care!

Thanks for ur reply! Good luck in ur coming exam. Please share the list of books u are using for the exam prep. I'll be emailing after ur exam also to know what its like. take care!

Hi, I just got approved for the CAMRT exam. How're u preparing? Are u studying on ur own or enrolled n the bridging program? Would like to hear from u soon. Good luck!

hi! congrats on getting approved for the exam! i take my exam on tuesday, starting to get a little nervous. i have only been studying on my own, no bridging courses. i talked to some rad techs that just graduated and passes camrt exam and the main book they used was radiography prep by j.d. saia. i have an earlier edition of that book from my radiology schooling, so i just have been using that. they also used their general anatomy books and positioning. did you register for your test yet? i think the next one is in january. the test is only offered 4 times per year. i will let you know how my exam goes next week. good luck!

Hi everyone;
I've just submitted my application to the CAMRT and I'm hoping to take the exam next year.
I was wondering, what book is the best for preparing for this exam? Is the Kaplan Radiography exam book any good? I would really love to have some direction-the list of recommended books on the site is wayyy to much!
Thanks!

Hi Mel, How was the exam? Any area in particular to pay very close attention? My best!

Hi guys,

I Studied in the United Kingdom and graduated in 2009. I am now living in Toronto, Ontario and want to sit the CMRTO exam in JAn 2012.. I was wondering how is the best way to study? are we supposed to focus mainly on the oncology or everything else too?? i have pretty much all my notes from uni..i don't have any textbooks, is it highly recommended to get a textbook or two or would i be able to manage just with what i have??

Im a little nervous as the system here is probably quite different from that in the UK..

hoping someone can help/guide me..

thanks a lot

Is cmrto done with ur assessment. if so, just get a used review rad textbook from amazon and study for it. I`m currently studying for the jan 2012 exam as well. «i studied in the States.
Usereview textbooks by f.a Davis and Saia review for radiography.
let me know, we can work things out together.good luck!

Yes my assessment is all done.. I just have thee exam to sit now.. il try and get hold of the textbooks you mentioned..

have you sat the exam before?

Can you give me the full name of the textbook? as I need one specifically for medical radiation technology...

Thanks for the comments everyone! After seeing that everyone was getting out of the States to come work here I think I'll just stay in Canada after all.

I'm a 2nd year MRT student at Fanshawe in London, ON. I'll be going into my clinical placement in January. Here's what I know about the CAMRT exam.

www.camrt.ca/certification/international/prepguideandpracticeexam/

These are some practice exams, helpful, gives you an idea of what to expect. As far as what to study.. Get a copy of the SC35 manual (its online free), I use Bontranger Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy, I know from our teacher they talk some about some Medical Radiation Sciences (physics, technical/hardware.. you know simple questions like "There's a grinding sound from the tube when you're holding the exposure button" That would be the bearings went on the stator or motor or wherever the bearings are actually attached to that spin the anode. They have some case studies on the exam. A lot of patient care and position questions. There are some radiographic images to evaluate or identify.

Hope that helps, I won't write my exam until May 2013 but here's what I know.

Hi Jake.. I have been on the link that you have given above.. there is is only one practice paper. but is def worth going through..

Not in Canada. I studied in the U.S and have worked for 5 years. Like I said , I'll be taking the exam in jan too. Let me know if u come across any other resources that might help us.

Hi Jerr,

are you working in radiotherapy?

No, I worked in the States for some yrs, but waiting to finish and pass the exam to start working in Ontario, Canada. I trained in Radiograpghy only. I'LL like to cross-train in other specialy some day though.
How is the studying coming?

I mean to say that I'll like to cross-train in other specialty in the radiology

Oh I see, so you think this book you mentioned would be helpful for me?? As I work only in radiotherapy.. I am actuallly reading on cancer of the larynx.. bit I need to be more dedicated...

Hi Mel, I'm emailing 'cause I'm not sure if u received the other email I sent. How are u? I'm currently preparing for the exam. Quick question: Do you remember if u had a lot of questions from 1. Equipment operation and maintenance 2. Image production and evaluation. I know more questions probably comes from Anatomy / positioning and patient care/radiobiology. I learnt the format for CAMRT here is different from the ARRT. What should I pay particular attention?
Hope to hear from you.
Thank you!

mehreen in Scarborough, Ontario said: Oh I see, so you think this book you mentioned would be helpful for me?? As I work only in radiotherapy.. I am actuallly reading on cancer of the larynx.. bit I need to be more dedicated...

How's the studying going? FYI, try nait.ca for review preps. I just hooked up with them.

Hi!
Please I really need help and direction on how best to prepare for the CAMRT exam (radiography technology)
My assessment just came through and I'm hoping to take the exam in May 2012.
The provided list of books is just too much! Please can anyone advice me on what books to use?
Right now I have the Radiography Prep (Lange) by D A Saia; and the Q&A by the same author. The books and sample questions are written based on the American Radiography Tech exam format.
I've also seen the sample exam on the CAMRT site, just 97 questions!
Please I'll appreciate any tips from those who've been here before. I don't want to take it more than once!
Thanks in advance!

Hi, I'm using D.A.Saia review book and all my review handouts when I was in sch 5 yrs ago. Also, registering with Nait.ca for the review course can help because thats what I'm doing.
How long have u been in Radiography profession and where? From what I read from CAMRT, those that studied in Canada does best followed by New zealand/Australia n followed by the USA trained.
Mine is in January and I'm just reviewing everything i get my hands on especially anatomy and positioning. Keep me posted.
My best!

I schooled in west Africa, finished in 2007; worked from then till I moved to Europe last year-in all I've worked for 3 1/2 yrs.
The positioning text I have is the clark's positioning book I used back in school.
I'll check out the site you mentioned. Any other books I should pay attention to?
Thanks so much for your response, all the best in your exams!

Make sure u have a great Radiographic anatomy positioning book, a patient care book, a pathology book for those are where the most questions will be based. Remember, their questions are scenerio -like questions with no ``all or none of the above option answers`` to choose. But, nothing to be scared of as long u do ur home work by refreshing what u did back home. Are u from naija?

Yep! Are you Naija too? (for you even call it Naija-lol!)
I'm trying to avoid too many texts that's why I bought the review but I guess I have to get extra.
The assessors said I should read up bone densitometry and mentioned patient care too. I'll keep in touch and know what books helped you.
You've been a huge help; thanks again!

Yep. All the best! Keep me posted if u do find a book that u think is very helpful.

Jake Vary in Ottawa, Ontario said: Thanks for the comments everyone! After seeing that everyone was getting out of the States to come work here I think I'll just stay in Canada after all.

I'm a 2nd year MRT student at Fanshawe in London, ON. I'll be going into my clinical placement in January. Here's what I know about the CAMRT exam.

www.camrt.ca/certification/international/prepguideandpracticeexam/

These are some practice exams, helpful, gives you an idea of what to expect. As far as what to study.. Get a copy of the SC35 manual (its online free), I use Bontranger Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy, I know from our teacher they talk some about some Medical Radiation Sciences (physics, technical/hardware.. you know simple questions like "There's a grinding sound from the tube when you're holding the exposure button" That would be the bearings went on the stator or motor or wherever the bearings are actually attached to that spin the anode. They have some case studies on the exam. A lot of patient care and position questions. There are some radiographic images to evaluate or identify.

Hope that helps, I won't write my exam until May 2013 but here's what I know.

Thanks for your info! How is the job prospect like in Ontario?

Hi, hope everything is ok.. can u reply the emails please if u get this email. bye now

Jerr how was the exam? How long till you know the outcome? All the best!
I'm still going through my books, unsure of my progress. It's so hard studying for an exam without enough practice questions!

Good luck!

Zee in Dublin, Ireland said: Jerr how was the exam? How long till you know the outcome? All the best!
I'm still going through my books, unsure of my progress. It's so hard studying for an exam without enough practice questions!

Good luck!

Hi, I would not know till about 4 weeks they said. Exam has a lot of scenerio questions. Will keep u posted. Cheers!

Hi everybody,
Im sitting the CAMRT exam on May the 15th for the radotherapy side. Has anyone got any last minute tips on how to prepare for the exam?