Functional Demands:

The Medical Radiation Science health professions are physically and emotionally demanding because they routinely involve interaction with patients. Since applicants will work in these professions, it is important that they become familiar with any functional demands before entering the program to ensure that they can perform at an acceptable standard for employment. A student’s choice of specialization is not guaranteed in the program; applicants must be prepared to enter any specialization. The functional demands associated with the health professions represented by the specializations are listed below. The list is not exhaustive, but is meant to provide an indication of the minimum demands. By registering in the program, applicants acknowledge that they are able to meet all of the demands.

All professionals must demonstrate:

· Empathy when interacting with patients of all ages

· Manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to manipulate equipment controls

· Physical strength to position patients and manipulate heavy equipment through a wide range of motions

· Acute hearing to respond to low voices and ambient alarms and buzzers

· Critical thinking to be able to prioritize and respond to emergency situations

In addition to what all professionals must demonstrate, the Radiographer must also possess:

· Acute vision to view images and distinguish fine features in contrast and detail

In addition to what all professionals must demonstrate, the Ultrasonographer must possess:

· Acute vision to view images and distinguish fine features in contrast and detail including nuances in colour Doppler ultrasound images

· Acute hearing to assess auditory Doppler ultrasound signals

· The ability to apply 3-D spatial relationships

In addition to what all professionals must demonstrate, the Radiation Therapist must possess:

· Acute vision to view equipment readouts at a distance in darkened rooms

· The ability to apply 3-D spatial relationships