Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

The Work

Hospitals use an increasingly wide range of cutting edge technology in various areas, such as radiotherapy, bioengineering and laser procedures. There is an increasing demand for people with the correct medical physics knowledge to service, check the performance of, and gauge any environmental effects of this equipment. Clinical or medical technologists in this field will often liaise with scientists and doctors, and have direct contact with patients.

Many specialise in one of two areas:

• nuclear medicine - where technologists are responsible for preparing and purifying radioactive materials, calculating doses and safe disposal whilst measuring and testing equipment safety levels
• medical engineering - usually a position for those with expertise in electronic or mechanical engineering. Their work involves calibration, servicing and maintenance of specialised clinical equipment and may sometime include construction of equipment.

Medical staff rely on the skills of medical technologists and there is a requirement for great attention to detail, this however, should be coupled with the ability to reassure patients who may be uncomfortable with such complex machinery.

Some of the specific roles as a medical technologist are:

Critical care technologists - provide operational and technical support to general and specialist intensive care or high dependency units, especially with equipment to maintain circulation, respiration and renal support function, often operating as part of a multidisciplinary clinical team.

Medical physics technologists - assist clinical and scientific staff in the construction of medical devices; this can involve mechanical, electronic and computing design procedures. They may also carry out calibration and quality assurance tests of x-ray and other electro-medical equipment.

Nuclear medicine technologists - use radioactive pharmaceuticals in diagnosis and therapy. They administer radioactive agents, and image their distribution using gamma cameras. They also perform laboratory tests and administer routine therapeutic doses of radioactive iodine. They monitor the safe handling of radioactive materials.

Radiotherapy technologists - perform quality control on radiotherapy dosimetry equipment and treatment units, such as linear accelerators and brachytherapy equipment, and compute radiation treatment plans. They may also maintain and service radiation therapy equipment and construct patient fixation devices.

Vascular technologists - perform and interpret non-invasive diagnostic studies on patients with arterial and venous disease. These include ultrasound imaging and blood-flow waveform analysis, and blood pressure measurement at rest and after exercise. They also carry out vascular measurement during surgery.

Technologists in equipment management - maintain and service electro-medical equipment, ensuring both performance and safety. While the more sophisticated equipment is installed in acute hospitals, these technologists also support equipment in primary care.

Rehabilitation engineers - work with the rehabilitation team to provide bio-mechanical assessment, monitoring of patient recovery and the custom manufacture of aids such as wheelchairs and speech synthesisers for individual patients.

Renal dialysis technicians - are responsible for the safe and efficient working of renal dialysis equipment (haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and water treatment) both in hospital and at the patients home. The training for these positions are ''on the job'' and generally an electronic background is preferred.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Inspect and test malfunctioning medical or related equipment, following manufacturers' specifications and using test and analysis instruments.
• Test or calibrate components or equipment, following manufacturers' manuals and troubleshooting techniques, using hand tools, power tools, or measuring devices.
• Keep records of maintenance, repair, and required updates of equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance or service, such as cleaning, lubricating, or adjusting equipment.
• Test, evaluate, and classify excess or in-use medical equipment and determine serviceability, condition, and disposition, in accordance with regulations.
• Examine medical equipment or facility's structural environment and check for proper use of equipment to protect patients and staff from electrical or mechanical hasards and to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Disassemble malfunctioning equipment and remove, repair, or replace defective parts, such as motors, clutches, or transformers.
• Plan and carry out work assignments, using blueprints, schematic drawings, technical manuals, wiring diagrams, or liquid or air flow sheets, following prescribed regulations, directives, or other instructions as required.
• Research catalogs or repair part lists to locate sources for repair parts, requisitioning parts and recording their receipt.
• Solder loose connections, using soldering iron.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Most cardiological technicians are graduates with a degree in physics, physiology or clinical measurement. Some cardiological technicians explore support from the Irish Cardiac society professional registration with CORU, or UK Cardiac equivelant. 

Training & Development   

FET Centre Traineeship: Health Service Skills, Healthcare Support, Laboratory Assistant, General Management at NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Applied science, Physiology and Health Science, Applied Laboratory Science, Applied Science/Laboratory Techniques, Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science, Biotechnology, Pre-University Science with Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing, Physiology and Massage at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Lab Technician & Lab Analyst, Advanced healthcare Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Clinical Measurement Science, Nursing, Veterninary- Nursing, Applied Biology, Nutrition & Health Science, Health Science and Physiology, Physiology and Health Science, Sports Science with Exercise Physiology, Medical Technology, Applied Health Care NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Preventive Cardiology Science-Clinical Measurement Science, Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine  NFQ level 9

Professional Development & associations

Irish Cardiac Society 

Society for Cardiological Science & Technology UK

CORU

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €45k - €75k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKInley/ Eirieri / Glassdoor / Salary expert / Payscale

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was strong for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022. Census data shows that employment grew across all roles in this group between 2016 and 2022, with the strongest growth for pharmaceutical technicans.

The number of online job adverts for pharmaceutical technicians grew strongly in 2022 (+14%); skills in demand included, among others pharmaceutical knowledge, the ability to provide customer service & advice, and business skills, such as product sales.

A small number of employment permits were issued in 2022 for cardiac physiologists and paramedics. The available data sources do not signal any issues in relation to supply and demand for health associate professional occupations; however, if employment was to continue to increase, recruitment issues may emerge.

• Irish Medical Organisation

  • 10 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
  • (01) 676 7273
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here