Training to become a Medical Technology Technologist (MTR)
Already living in Germany and interested in training as a medical technologist for radiology (MTR)? Here you will find all the key information about the training pathway, requirements and next steps.
The three-year training is regulated by the state. It takes place at a state-recognized MTR school in cooperation with a clinic, a medical care center (MVZ) or a radiological practice. The training consists of two main parts:
- Theoretical training at a state-approved MTR school
- Practical training at a provider of practical training, e.g.:
- Hospital (e.g. university hospital)
- Medical care centres
- Radiology practice
The MTR school works closely with the respective practical training provider. This means that the school organises the theoretical lessons and coordinates with the clinic or practice when and how the practical assignments take place. In practice, the trainees are supervised by qualified practical instructors.
In Germany, the training to become a medical technologist for radiology (MTR) covers four major medical-technical areas:
- Radiological diagnostics (X-ray, CT, MRI, angiography)
- Radiotherapy
- Nuclear medicine
- Dosimetry and radiation protection
All areas are a mandatory part of the training – this is a special feature of the German system. In many other countries, there are some specializations in only one area, e.g. radiological diagnostics. In Germany, MTRs receive comprehensive and interdisciplinary training and receive theoretical and practical training in all four areas.
Radiological diagnostics
In radiological diagnostics, trainees learn to prepare and carry out examinations and assess image quality. Patient contact and the safe handling of radiation are also central components.
The trainees learn the technical background and how to use the following imaging techniques, such as:
- Projection radiography
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Angiography
- Mammography
- Ultrasound
Radiotherapy
In radiation therapy, tumor patients are treated with high-energy radiation. Here, MTRs plan treatment procedures, work closely with doctors and physicists, and operate high-precision radiation devices (e.g. linear accelerators).
The trainees learn:
- Radiation planning and treatment techniques
- Patient positioning
- Implementation, monitoring and documentation of irradiation
- Safety measures in the event of ionising radiation
Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine works with radioactive substances that are introduced into the body to make metabolic processes visible or to treat them in a targeted manner.
MTR trainees learn here:
- Radiopharmacy: Preparation of radioactive substances
- Gamma camera and PET, CT/MRI examinations
- Handling of open radioactive materials
- Measurement and control of radiation exposure
Dosimetry and radiation protection
MTRs play a central role in the protection of patients and staff from ionizing radiation in the field of dosimetry and radiation protection. They ensure the technical implementation of legal requirements and ensure the quality of the applications.
Trainees learn in this subject area:
- Planning and Organization of Radiation Protection Measures
- Execution of dose and constancy tests
- Operation of radiation protection measuring devices
- Documentation and assessment of measurement results
- Detection and evaluation of radiation protection problems
- Initiation and control of protective measures for patients and team
- Application of X-ray protective clothing and spatial shielding
- Compliance with legal requirements from the Radiation Protection Act (StrlSchG) and the Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV)
- Participation in the quality, risk and process management of radiation application
The theory lessons comprise approx. 2,600 hours, most of which are completed in block lessons, i.e. in several weeks at a time. At the school, the trainees are trained in the following areas of competence, among others:
- Communication, professional conduct, ethics and law
- Interprofessional collaboration and patient safety
- Fundamentals of radiological technology and radiation protection
- Working with medical imaging systems (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound)
- Equipment and applications in radiotherapy and nuclear medicine
- Anatomy, physiology and pathology
- Quality assurance and quality management
The practical training comprises about 2,000 hours and takes place at the respective provider of the practical training in a radiology clinic, a practice for radiation therapy or a practice for nuclear medicine. Under the guidance of qualified practical instructors, the trainees practice how to use the equipment, prepare patients and carry out examinations.
A list of state-approved MTR schools in Germany can be found, for example, here: https://www.mtr-werden.de/schulfinder/.
Legal basis
The training and professional practice of MTR is regulated by law in Germany by the MT Professions Act (MTBG). This law went into effect on January 1, 2023, and replaced the previous MTA law. It regulates:
- Duration and content of the training
- Requirements for practising a profession
- Reserved activities
- State examination
- Recognition of foreign qualifications (adaptation periods, knowledge tests)
Why is this important? The comprehensive training in three specialist areas (radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine) and the expertise in radiation protection make MTR in Germany highly qualified specialists with great responsibility – technically, medically and also in dealing with people.
Foreign skilled workers who are interested in this profession in Germany or would like to have their qualifications recognised should familiarise themselves with these points in particular.
Expertise in radiation protection (German: Fachkunde im Strahlenschutz)
A special component of the training is the acquisition of specialist knowledge in radiation protection in accordance with the Radiation Protection Ordinance (§145 StrlSchV). This expertise is required by law and allows MTR to carry out investigations with ionising radiation independently and on its own responsibility. In addition to conducting investigations, MTR‘s tasks include:
- Radiation protection measures for patients, employees and yourself
- Knowledge of dose optimization
- Documentation and control of radiation exposure
- Performing quality controls on equipment
The MTR training provides all the necessary practical experience and theoretical foundations – including practical examinations and certificates. The specialist knowledge in radiation protection must be renewed every 5 years through a suitable radiation protection refresher course.
Training allowance
The training is remunerated, which means that trainees receive a monthly salary. Anyone who is employed in a public service hospital, for example, is paid according to the collective agreement for trainees in the public service (TVAöD). In 2025, according to TVAöD, the training allowance will be approximately:
- year: approx. 1,200 €
- year: approx. 1,300 €
- year: approx. 1,400 €
Other facilities (MVZ or practices) also usually pay an appropriate training allowance.