Manitoba Expands Training for Lab and X-Ray Technologists

The government of Manitoba is increasing opportunities for students to train as combined laboratory and X-ray technologists. Starting in January, five additional training seats will be available at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, addressing staffing shortages in diagnostic services across rural and northern communities. This announcement was made by Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara on Tuesday.

The cross-trained laboratory and X-ray technologists are essential in rural hospitals, providing critical services such as lab testing, general radiography, and electrocardiogram assessments. The introduction of these training spots will cost the province approximately $178,270 for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

To further support students, Shared Health will implement return-of-service agreements, covering tuition and academic expenses in exchange for a commitment of 5,000 hours—approximately three years of service in Manitoba upon graduation. This initiative aims to ensure that rural and regional healthcare facilities benefit from this investment.

The newly added seats will serve as a temporary bridge while Assiniboine College completes necessary capital upgrades and regulatory approvals for its own program, expected to launch with 20 seats in September 2027. Once operational, this local program will reduce the province’s reliance on out-of-province training for these essential roles.

Minister Asagwara stated, “By working with advanced education and training, we’re actually doing the work by standing up this training in Manitoba, building our own capacity.”

The need for trained professionals is pressing, as nearly 20 percent of lab and X-ray technician positions in the province remain unfilled. Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, expressed his support for the announcement. He noted, “This will certainly benefit rural communities that depend on those services to keep rural ERs open. It is the kind of initiative that we’ve been asking them to implement.”

Linklater highlighted broader staffing challenges, revealing that there are currently 1,000 vacant allied health positions across Manitoba. He emphasized that similar initiatives should be considered on a larger scale for other crucial roles, including respiratory therapy and paramedics, to address ongoing staffing shortages in the healthcare sector.

As Manitoba takes steps to enhance its training programs for health professionals, the focus remains on ensuring that rural communities receive the healthcare services they need. The initiative represents a significant move towards strengthening the province’s healthcare workforce and improving access to vital medical services.