Nuclear Medicine Careers

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Molecular Imaging

PET/CT

Nuclear Medicine or Molecular Imaging to include PET/CT

Nuclear Medicine, technologists use safe, painless, and cost-effective techniques to image the body and treat disease. Nuclear medicine is unique and broad to include nuclear medicine imaging, PET/CT and molecular procedures. It provides doctors with information about both structure and function of the human body. It is a method of gathering medical information that would otherwise be unavailable, require surgery, or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests. Nuclear medicine combines computer technology, advanced medical instrumentation, chemistry, physics, and radioactivity to diagnose and treat disease.

Responsibilities of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist is a highly specialized healthcare professional who works closely with the nuclear medicine physician. They perform a number of tasks in the areas of patient care, technical skills, and administration. When caring for patients, they acquire adequate knowledge of the patients’ medical histories to understand and relate to their illnesses and pending diagnostic procedures for therapy, instruct patients before and during procedures, evaluate the satisfactory preparation of patients before commencing a procedure, and recognize emergency patient conditions and initiate life-saving first aid when appropriate.

Nuclear medicine technologists apply their knowledge of radiation physics and safety regulations to limit radiation exposure, prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, use radiation detection devices and other kinds of laboratory equipment that measure the quantity and distribution of radionuclides deposited in the patient or in a patient specimen, perform in vivo and in vitro diagnostic procedures, use quality control techniques as part of a quality assurance program covering all procedures and products in the laboratory, and participate in research activities. Administrative functions may include supervising other nuclear medicine technologists, students, laboratory assistants, and other personnel; participating in procuring supplies and equipment; documenting laboratory operations; participating in departmental inspections conducted by various licensing, regulatory, and accrediting agencies; and participating in scheduling patient examinations.

How do I become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?

Nuclear Medicine programs will vary in their structure and length depending if it is a baccalaureate, associate of science or certificate program. The most important factor to consider for nuclear medicine programs is if they are “accredited”. In order for the student to be eligible to complete the nuclear medicine exam offered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) and/or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), the student MUST graduate from an approved, accredited program. This accreditation can be awarded by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine, which is the gold standard or it can come from the college’s accreditation. If in doubt contact the NMTCB or JRCNMT for assistance. Money and time will be wasted if you attend a program that is not pre-approved or accredited by the credentialing agencies.

Depending on your educational background, you will want to research nuclear medicine programs thoroughly. Some require a bachelor’s degree for entrance; others a certification in radiography; and there are programs that will provide all courses within a 4 year time frame. The trend in nuclear medicine is to move towards a Bachelors degree minimum. The responsibilities of the nuclear medicine technologist have increased requiring an increase to the curriculum content.

The University of Utah, Department of Radiology offers a 15 month certificate of completion program in Nuclear Medicine that includes clinical experiences and board exam preparation in nuclear medicine, PET/CT and CT. To be considered for admission, the applicant must have either a Bachelors degree or certification in radiography with college courses completed in physics, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, English and Math. Please see the program description for more detailed information. The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology. (2005).

Educational Pathway

Completion of pre-requisite courses – 1 year

Acceptance and completion of a radiography program – 2 years

Acceptance and completion of a nuclear medicine program – 1 year OR

Completion of a Bachelors degree in a science related field – 4 years

Acceptance and completion of a nuclear medicine program – 1 year.

OR “3 + 1 option”

3 years at a college or university completing a science track

1 year in an affiliated nuclear medicine program.

OR “2+ 2 option”

2 years at a college completing a science health related track

2 years in a nuclear medicine program

There are many different ways nuclear medicine programs can be structured; however there are a limited number of programs available. The minimum amount of time it will take to become a nuclear medicine technologist is 4 years.

Demand/Salary

The employment outlook in nuclear medicine technology is good. Opportunities may be found in major medical centers, smaller hospitals, and independent imaging centers to include cardiology centers. The specialty areas of cardiology and PET/CT are growing and new exams in molecular therapy and imaging are emerging. Opportunities also are available for obtaining positions in clinical research, education, and administration.

Salaries vary depending on the employer and geographic location. According to a 2007 survey from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the overall mean salary is $69,083 (www.asrt.org)

Comments from the Society of Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine has a very bright future and will continue to be a field at the forefront of modern clinical medicine and technological development. The future has never been brighter thanks to—

The development of new radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
Promising research and development of cancer-detecting and cancer- killing agents, such as genetically engineered antibodies
The expanding clinical use of exciting new technology known as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which provides new and unique means of studying biochemistry and metabolism within living tissues.
The addition of hybrid imaging in PET/CT which has expanded the technologists role. .

Links for further Information

Careers/curriculum

American Society of Radiologic Technologists

15000 Central Avenue SE Albuquerque, NM 87123

Society of Nuclear Medicine—Technologist Section

1850 Samuel Morse Drive Reston, VA 22090-5316

(703) 708-9000

Certification/registration

Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board

2970 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 610 Atlanta, GA 30329-1634

(404) 315-1739

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

1255 Northland Drive Mendota Heights, MN 55120

Program accreditation

Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT)

716 Black Point Road PO Box 1149 Polson, MT 59860-1149

(406) 883-0003 (406) 883-0022 Fax

E-mail: jrcnmt@centurytel.net