The Education Committee sponsored delegates to attend the Saskatchewan Association of Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technicians (SACLXT) Conference on October 18, 2025. Whenever members attend events, we ask for reports to share with our membership. Please see the report below:
Amber:
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for selecting me to attend the 2025 SACLXT Conference held on October 18th, 2025, in Moose Jaw, SK. Since earning my diploma in Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology in 2012, I have now had the privilege of attending three conferences, one shortly after graduation in Saskatoon, the 2024 conference in Saskatoon, and this year’s event in Moose Jaw. I have thoroughly enjoyed each one, as no matter how long I’ve been in the profession, I always leave with new or refreshed knowledge that enhances my practice.
Continuing education opportunities can be limited in our field, aside from the occasional credits gained through basic workplace training and tasks. Attending the SACLXT Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) provides nine of the twenty CE credits required over a five-year period, making this event especially valuable. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate.
This year’s conference was held at the Temple Gardens Hotel and Spa in Moose Jaw. It included five one-hour presentations, the SACLXT Annual General Meeting, and a presentation from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. All three aspects of the CLXT profession, ECG, X-ray, and Laboratory, were covered, making for a well-rounded educational experience.
The first presentation, “Don’t Skip a Beat…ECGs Made Easy,” was an excellent refresher. I have not had the opportunity for formal ECG education since my time as a student, so it was beneficial to review the fundamentals of this important diagnostic tool. As CLXTs are often the first line of defence when it comes to ECG testing, this session reinforced key skills that I can apply in practice.
Laboratory topics this year included microbiology, HPV and cervical cancer, and organ/tissue donation. While these are not areas I work with regularly, I found all three sessions highly engaging. The presentations on HPV and organ/tissue donation, in particular, provided valuable educational insights that I believe would benefit from broader public awareness.
Dr. Jordan Buchko, orthopedic surgeon, delivered an excellent presentation highlighting the essential role X-ray technologists play in his field. This was especially relevant for me, as I work in a rural community alongside a Registered Nurse-Nurse Practitioner (RNNP) with limited X-ray background. I appreciated learning how soft-tissue injuries, such as rotator cuff tears or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries, can sometimes be identified on initial X-rays. It was an informative reminder that diagnostic imaging extends beyond bone assessment.
The SACLXT AGM once again provided the opportunity to stay informed about the organization’s ongoing initiatives and to share feedback on current matters.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic presented for the second year in a row. This year, they focused on preceptorship and strategies to support student success during their clinical placements. As this is the first year that I will work within a facility that is hosting a clinical student, I found this discussion extremely helpful. Clinical training has evolved significantly since my own experience 13 years ago, and it was reassuring to hear directly from the coordinators about how best to guide and support students throughout their placements.
Overall, the 2025 SACLXT Conference was well organized. The venue was comfortable, the sessions were engaging, and the provided meals were excellent. Planning has begun for the 2026 conference, and in the future, I would love to see events hosted in various regions of the province to give more members the opportunity to attend.
Once again, thank you very much for selecting me to attend this year’s conference. It was a valuable professional development experience, and I greatly appreciate the union’s support in helping members grow and stay current in their practice.
Sincerely,
Amber K, CLXT
Jaclyn L:
This year I was graciously sponsored to attend the 2025 SACLXT Conference held in Moose Jaw, SK. I was so excited for this opportunity as I still view myself as a new grad, making this also my first conference to attend!
Our first speaker was Michelle Hilbner regarding ECGs. This was easily one of my favourite sessions! It was a fantastic refresher. It was a perfect mix of “lecture-based” information and real-world experiences and tips! I have already been using multiple of her tricks in my day-to-day work as a CLXT.
We then heard from Dr. Jessica Minion. She spoke regarding microbiology. They were all given as clinical cases, going over the patients' presenting factors, what was performed and the information found. I enjoyed the way she gave her presentation due to the fact that CLXTs in rural practice do not practice microbiology. It gave good insight into various disease processes and how they can present in patients for our own safety while being involved in patient care.
We also heard from Dr. MacAulay Vacheresse Genevieve regarding HPV. Again, since CLXTs do not perform microbiology testing I was hesitant going into this presentation. However, I learned so much information just for my own personal day-to-day wellbeing!
Representation from the Saskatchewan Transplant Program was also there to speak to us. This was another fantastic talk and one of the most engaging talks during the day. I honestly did not know much about the transplant program, or how anything works. I learnt so much about the process of various types of transplants, including directed donation.
We were lucky to have Dr. Jordan Buchko speak to us regarding x-ray imaging and how he utilizes this in his day-to-day practice. He had excellent clinical cases he went over pointing out various pathology and the importance of specific views and repeat imaging. As a new grad, X-Ray pathology is an area I am still trying to get comfortable with. Dr. Buchko was a great teacher during the clinical cases and describing how to assess for pathologies in a way that makes sense!
Saskpolytech gave a presentation mainly regarding the new changes to how the clinical experience will look for students moving forward. Being a new grad, I had a lot of opinions on this. I am very eager to see how these changes affect the learning experience for students on their clinical rotation since I am still fresh from my own experience!
The AGM was also held that day. It was very insightful to learn faces to the board members' names! In addition to understanding how the SACLXT committee works, their role and how I can both benefit and get involved!
I would like to extend another thank you to SEIU-West for sponsoring me for this conference. Never having been to a conference, I had no idea what to expect. Yet it truly exceeded my expectations! I gained so much knowledge and got to learn about the SACLXT board. I am excited to further my career as a CLXT and plan to attend conferences regularly!