321 Medical and Pharmaceutical Technicians

Medical imaging and therapeutic equipment technicians test and operate radiographic, ultrasound and other medical imaging equipment to produce images of body structures for the diagnosis and treatment of injury, disease and other impairments. They may administer radiation treatments to patients under the supervision of a radiologist or other health professional. Tasks include - (a) operating or overseeing operation of radiologic, ultrasound and magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes; (b) explaining procedures, observing and positioning patients, and using protection devices to ensure safety and comfort during examination, scan or treatment; (c) positioning imaging or treatment equipment, monitoring video displays, and adjusting settings and controls according to technical specifications; (d) reviewing and evaluating developed X-rays, videotape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, and recording results of procedures; (e) monitoring patients’ conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to a medical practitioner; (f) measuring and recording radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received and used for patients, following prescriptions issued by a medical practitioner; (g) administering, detecting and mapping radiopharmaceuticals or radiation in patients’ bodies, using radioisotope, camera or other equipment for diagnosing and treating diseases; (h) recording and disposing of radioactive materials and storing radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Diagnostic medical radiographer - Magnetic resonance imaging technologist - Mammographer - Medical radiation therapist - Nuclear medicine technologist - Radiographer - Sonographer Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Medical physicist - 2111 - Radiologist - 2212 - Radiation protection expert - 2263 - Medical imaging assistant - 5329.

Medical and pathology laboratory technicians perform clinical tests on specimens of bodily fluids and tissues in order to obtain information about the health of a patient or cause of death. Tasks include - (a) conducting chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine and spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal and abnormal components; (b) operating, calibrating and maintaining equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers and computer-controlled analysers; (c) entering data from analysis of laboratory tests and clinical results into record-keeping systems, and reporting results to medical practitioners and other health professionals; (d) analysing samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction; (e) setting up, cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment; (f) analysing laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results; (g) establishing and monitoring programmes to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results, and developing, standardizing, evaluating and modifying procedures, techniques and tests used in the analysis of specimens; (h) obtaining specimens, cultivating, isolating and identifying microorganisms for analysis; (i) examining cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities; (j) inoculating fertilized eggs, broths, or other bacteriological media with organisms. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Blood-bank technician - Cytology technician - Medical laboratory technician - Pathology technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Pathologist - 2212 - Forensic science technician - 3119 - Veterinary technician - 3240 - Phlebotomist - 5329.

Pharmaceutical technicians and assistants perform a variety of tasks associated with dispensing medicinal products under the guidance of a pharmacist or other health professional. Tasks include - (a) preparing medications and other pharmaceutical compounds under the guidance of a pharmacist or other health professional; (b) dispensing medicines and drugs to clients and giving written and oral instructions on their use, as prescribed by medical doctors, veterinarians or other health professionals; (c) receiving prescriptions or refill requests from health professionals and verifying that information is complete and accurate according to medical record-keeping standards; (d) maintaining proper storage and security conditions for drugs; (e) filling and labelling containers with prescribed medications; (f) assisting clients by answering questions, locating items or referring them to a pharmacist for medication information; (g) pricing and filing prescriptions that have been filled and establishing and maintaining patient records, including lists of medications taken by individual patients; (h) ordering, labelling, and counting stocks of medications, chemicals and supplies, and entering inventory data into record-keeping systems; (i) cleaning and preparing equipment and containers used to prepare and dispense medicines and pharmaceutical compounds. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Dispensing technician - Pharmaceutical assistant - Pharmaceutical technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Pharmacist - 2262 - Pharmacology technician - 3141 - Pharmacy aide - 5329.

Medical and dental prosthetic technicians design, fit, service and repair medical and dental devices and appliances following prescriptions or instructions established by a health professional. They may service a wide range of support instruments to correct physical medical or dental problems, such as neck braces, orthopaedic splints, artificial limbs, hearing aides, arch supports, dentures, and dental crowns and bridges. Tasks include - (a) examining, interviewing and measuring patients in order to determine their appliance needs, and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit; (b) conferring with medical and dental practitioners in order to formulate specifications and prescriptions for devices and appliances; (c) interpreting prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated, and the materials and tools that will be required; (d) making or receiving casts or impressions of patients’ torsos, limbs, mouths or teeth for use as fabrication patterns; (e) designing and making orthotic and prosthetic devices using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand and power tools; (f) fitting appliances and devices to patients, testing and evaluating them, and making adjustments for proper fit, function and comfort; (g) repairing, modifying and maintaining medical and dental prosthetic and supportive devices, according to specifications; (h) bending, forming and shaping fabric or material so that it conforms to prescribed contours needed to fabricate structural components; (i) fabricating full and partial dentures and constructing mouth guards, crowns, metal clasps, inlays, bridgework and other aids; (j) instructing patients in the use and care of prosthetic or orthotic devices. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Dental mechanic - Dental technician - Denturist - Orthopaedic appliance maker - Orthotic technician - Orthotist - Prosthetic technician - Prosthetist Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Dental aide - 5329 - Surgical instrument maker - 7311 Note Occupations included in this unit normally require some medical, dental and anatomical and engineering knowledge obtained through formal training. Technicians who construct and repair precision medical and surgical instruments are not included here.