Three technologists out of five considered leaving the public sector in the past year | APTS des Laurentides sounds the alarm

June 19, 2023

Saint-Jérôme – In a survey of all its union members working in medical imaging, radiation oncology, medical electrophysiology and nuclear medicine, the APTS des Laurentides (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux des Laurentides) found that 60% of these employees in the Laurentians considered leaving the public health and social services sector in the past year. And over a third of technologists in these fields think that they will probably leave the public sector in the coming year.

The labour shortage in these vital fields could have grave consequences for Quebecers’ health. Technologists in medical imaging, radiation oncology, medical electrophysiology and nuclear medicine play an essential role in patients’ diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Their expertise and input are crucial in ensuring quality care and optimal results.

In this context, the APTS is calling for better working conditions and due recognition of the value and importance of these job titles, to help attract qualified workers and keep them in the public sector. “The government has buried its head in the sand in the hope that these problems will go away. At the APTS, we’re not backing down. The health and social service ministry must take tangible steps to show that it values our technologists and to preserve the quality of care for Quebecers, which is already seriously eroding. Services have been interrupted or suspended in three out of six hospitals in the region,” declared Marie-Ève Meilleur, provincial APTS representative for the Laurentians.

In addition to the wage demands put forward by the Front commun in province-wide contract talks, the APTS is proposing concrete, realistic solutions to support technologists and encourage them to stay in the public sector. The union’s recommendations include:

• an enhanced critical care premium, in recognition of the expertise and heightened responsibilities required of technologists in complex clinical situations,
• annual payment of an amount earmarked for professional development, which would include licensing fees for the Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie, en électrophysiologie médicale et en médecine nucléaire (OTIMROEPMQ); this measure is to support ongoing training and guarantee that technologists’ skills are up to date,
• an additional week of annual vacation after one year of service to acknowledge technologists’ commitment to their profession and to Quebecers.

The APTS des Laurentides is calling for a quick response from the government to address the concerns of technologists in medical imaging, radiation oncology, medical electrophysiology and nuclear medicine. “If the government has the political will to do it, we can work together to find lasting solutions that will be beneficial for our members and the entire population. Immediate action is imperative to guarantee access to decent public healthcare in the Laurentians,” the APTS provincial representative concluded.

The APTS

The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) represents more than 65,000 members—including 3,800 in the Laurentians­­—who play a key role in ensuring that health and social service institutions run smoothly. APTS members provide a wide range of services for all Quebecers, including diagnostic, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychosocial intervention, clinical support, and prevention services.