Jocelyn is an MRT(R) working in the diagnostic imaging department. She has been asked to set up a patient onto the monitoring equipment (pulse oximeter, BP, and ECG) and monitor the patient’s vital signs using this equipment during a procedure.

Is this within Jocelyn’s scope of practice?

The College has approval for members to perform some/all of the restricted activities, as identified in the Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists Profession Regulation (the Regulation). Standard 2.1 (Legislation, Standards, and Ethics) in the College’s Standards of Practice states that to demonstrate this Standard, a regulated member will:

c. Perform only restricted activities only as authorized according to the regulations of the College.

The practice of patient monitoring (including obtaining vital signs) is not listed as a restricted activity within this legislation. As such, no additional authorization is required from the College for a technologist to perform these activities.

What training does the technologist require in order to perform this activity?

A College-approved program is not required as no authorization is needed; it is, however, expected that the technologist will have received appropriate training to perform this activity safely, ethically, and competently.

The technologist must ensure that they have received appropriate education and training for these activities and limit their professional activities to those they are competent to perform and applicable to their area of practice. It is also advised that there be employer policies in place to oversee the training and practice of technologists in this area.

Before performing this activity, the technologist should ask themselves:

• Do I have the knowledge to perform this competently? (i.e., consider clinical procedures, adverse events)
• Do I have the skills to perform this competently? (i.e., understanding vitals signs, identifying and handling adverse events)
• Do I have the clinical reasoning abilities to perform and maintain this activity competently? (i.e., how frequently must this be practiced, how many cases are required to learn this well and competently)
• Does my provision of this procedure benefit the patient?

As a regulated member of the College, a technologist needs to practice in compliance with legislation and other documents such as Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The following standards and statements apply to this scenario.

Standards of Practice

Standard 1.2 Clinical Procedures

To demonstrate this Standard, a regulated member will:

e. Possess the necessary competence to perform the procedure safely and effectively.

f. Follow relevant federal and provincial regulations, professional guidelines, and employer/organization policies and procedures.

j. Select appropriate equipment and parameters considering the individual patient.

m. Identify and communicate with the appropriate healthcare provider any procedural concerns or patient’s expressed wishes.

Standard 2.1 Legislation, Standards, and Ethics

To demonstrate this Standard, a regulated member will:

a. Assume personal responsibility for the quality and competence of the member’s practice.

b. Maintain and apply the knowledge, skills, judgments and behaviours necessary for safe, competent and ethical practice.

Standard 2.2 Professional Competence

To demonstrate this Standard, a regulated member will:

a. Possess the competencies set out in all competency profiles that are applicable to the member’s areas of practice.

c. Maintain knowledge of current and evolving technologies and integrate new learning into practice, as appropriate.

Code of Ethics

Principle 1 – Responsibility to the public

a. Competent care: A regulated member’s primary responsibility is to provide competent service to patients with respect to their individual needs and overall welfare.

Principle 3 – Responsibility to oneself

b. Accountability – A regulated member takes responsibility and is accountable for their professional activities.

There are many documents that help guide a regulated member’s practice. View these documents on our Resources page or use the Decision-Making Tool to work through a specific scenario.