Fast Track CT

Fast-Track Computerized Tomography (CT) Program for Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Computerized Tomography for the PET/CT Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists performing PET/CT scan the patient’s body in one consecutive motion operating a positron emission technology (PET) and a computerized tomography scanner (CT). After the injection of a radionuclide, the PET searches the patient’s body for areas where cancer may have spread and the CT scanner creates cross-sectional images of the patient’s anatomy.

Responsibilities of PET/CT Technologist

The responsibilities of a PET/CT technologist combine the responsibilities of a nuclear medicine and CT technologist. When PET/CT scanners were first introduced, the hybrid imaging dilemma quickly became apparent. The imaging world was requiring a technologist to be knowledgeable in two areas of imaging in order to complete one procedure. Historically, the study of nuclear medicine did not include radiology and CT imaging but with the combination of PET and CT, the nuclear medicine curriculum was expanded. In addition to PET/CT procedures, nuclear medicine departments will often perform diagnostic CT scans on their PET/CT scanners. Therefore, the nuclear medicine technologist was being asked to perform not only PET/CT procedures but also diagnostic CT procedures. Some states, such as California require that a nuclear medicine technologist performing PET/CT have certification in nuclear medicine and CT. In other states, it may not be uncommon for a CT technologist to step in and perform the CT portion of the PET/CT or follow-up with a diagnostic CT. All of these variables would be easier to deal with if the nuclear medicine technologist completed the proper steps and became certified in CT.

The concept of including CT certification within the nuclear medicine curriculum emerged and the University of Utah, Department of Radiology is one of the first, nuclear medicine programs to add CT certification classes and clinical experiences outside of PET/CT to the nuclear medicine program. The CT section adds 12 weeks of full-time CT to include 220 clinical hours in CT.

How do I become a CT Technologist if I am a Nuclear Medicine Technologist

The Fast-Track CT imaging track is only of importance for one category of learner and that is a nuclear medicine technologist who wants their CT certification. A registered nuclear medicine technologist (NMTCB or ARRT) is eligible to sit for the post-primary American Registry of Radiologic Technologists(ARRT) CT certification examination if they have completed all of the clinical experience requirements as defined by the ARRT.

A nuclear medicine technologist who has completed educational training on a PET/CT scanner and has had PET and CT as part of their academic curriculum would enter the CT program at the University of Utah as an accelerated CT student than the nuclear medicine technologist who has not. The accelerated status reduces 3 months of classes and 220 hour of clinical.

A student completing the nuclear medicine program at the University of Utah, Department of Radiology has completed over 200 hours in PET/CT and has had CT classes. In a pilot study conducted in fall 2007, a 12 week condensed CT program was offered to the nuclear medicine graduates. During this time, they completed 45 additional hours of CT academic instruction and 220 clinical hours in CT. They were able to complete all of their clinical experience requirements and cover the essential components of the CT academic curriculum during this 12 week timeframe. This group of graduates will sit for the CT exam this winter (2008).

If you feel you are a nuclear medicine technologist who may meet this requirement and are interested in the Fast-Track CT program, please contact the Education Director at the University of Utah, Department of Radiology, at marlene.johnson@hsc.utah.edu.

Nuclear medicine technologists, who do not have the previous PET/CT experience or did not have PET or CT in their nuclear medicine curriculum due, must complete the entire 6 month CT program. Please refer to the CT program area.Tuition

The tuition for the 2010/11 academic year is $1,800.00 and there is a required educational module fee of $250.00 for a total of $2,050.00. If students pay tuition during the first week of the program, they receive a $150.00 discount for a total tuition/module fee of $1,900.00.

The educational modules are approved for 16 ASRT category A continuing education credits. Students are allowed to pay tuition monthly with an initial deposit of $750.00 due the first week of the program. Minimum monthly payments of $250.00 will be due on the 10th of each month.

Note: There are no federal loans, PELL grants or interntional student visas available for this program

Demand/Salary

The nuclear medicine technologist performing PET/CT with a CT certification will have more CT background and be in more demand than a nuclear medicine technologist who does not have a CT certification and may receive a differential pay increase. Some states require CT certification to operate a PET/CT scanner. Please refer to nuclear medicine technology for detailed information on salary.

Prerequisites for the Program

Applicants eligible for selection in the Fast-Track CT program include individuals who have completed one the following:

Nuclear medicine certification (NMTCB and/or ARRT)
Clinical experiences in PET/CT (Minimum 150 clinical hours)
Academic course work in PET/CT

Curriculum

Education in CT is accomplished with a combination of didactic and clinical learning experiences. Students are encouraged to complete 24 clinical hours a week and one 3 hour academic session. Students are allowed the flexibility to determine their clinical schedule; however the clinical placement is decided by the education director. CT procedures are performed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; therefore competencies can be learned at any time of the day or night.

The CT curriculum was developed utilizing the American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) (www.asrt.org) and the Association of Educators in the Radiological Sciences, Inc. (www.aers.org) The following constitutes a basic outline for the curriculum. All courses and clinical education are measured in clock hours.

Introduction to Computed Tomography

This unit will provide the student with an overview of computed tomography. Program policies, student responsibilities, and an introduction to the basics of computed tomography image formation, equipment and terminology will be covered. Patient safety, personal safety and safety of co-workers will be presented and a brief introduction about imaging parameters and the clinical application of CT.

Patient Care for Computed Tomography

A series of lectures and discussions will provide knowledge about care giving skills specific to patients undergoing CT exams. The role of the technologist to effectively communicate and maintain patient safety and comfort, patient preparation and monitoring for exams to include contrast agents and venipuncture. A review in radiation protection will be conducted and lecture/discussion in relationship to CT protection considerations.

Physical Principles of Computed Tomography

The physical principles section offers information about data acquisition and processing. The components in the image acquisition are outlined. The software and the technical parameters used in the acquisition of images are discussed. The information in this course is useful to enable the student to maximize image acquisition and image quality by understanding the fundamentals of CT imaging.

Imaging Procedures

A large portion of the curriculum is dedicated to presenting information about scanning techniques related to the central nervous system, musculoskeletal regions, and neck, thorax and mediastinum, abdomen and pelvis. Anatomy, positioning criteria, specific choices and options in protocols and pathology will be discussed. Variations from routine examinations will be included in discussions. The latest techniques of cardiac imaging are presented and techniques in 3D and physiological imaging reconstruction strategies. A detailed comprehensive lecture is dedicated to CT pathology to include imaging considerations, protocol adjustments and life saving warning signs.

Competency Based Clinical Education

Clinical education provides students a competency based educational system that is necessary to become proficient in the entry-level skills required of a CT technologist. The student is required to complete an additional 220 clinical hours and the clinical experience requirements as outlined by the ARRT. This experience allows the students the opportunity to practice skills necessary to obtain high quality CT images, to objectively alter protocols based on patient pathology or physical condition, and to identify image quality problems and make appropriate corrections when necessary.

Tuition

The tuition and module fee for the 2009/2010 academic year of the Fast-Track CT program is $1,600.00. This includes $1,350.00 for tuition and $250.00 for the MIC educational modules utilized during the academic portion of the program. The educational modules are approved for 16 ASRT category A continuing education credits. Tuition is subject to increases. Students who pay tuition in full during the first week of the program will be granted a $150.00 discount and the total amount due will be $1,450.00 Students are allowed to pay tuition monthly with an initial deposit of $750.00 due the first week of the program. Minimum monthly payments of $250.00 will be due on the 10th of each month. All tuition must be paid in full before the student is granted a certificate of completion.

Note: There are no federal loans or PELL grants available for this program.

Additional Fees

The following are approximate costs and are subject to changes:
Lab Coats: 200.00
Parking Pass: 80.00
Additional Optional Textbooks: 100.00
ARRT Examination: 150.00

Attendance

The CT program begins the second week of July and January. Students are required to attend a hospital orientation prior to the start of the program. A detailed calendar will be available on the program start date. Examples of past calendars are available upon request. The student is responsible for their clinical and academic attendance. All clinical time is recorded as a positive number and the student is finished when they have reached 220 hours and all of the required competencies. Students who complete the competencies prior to completing the 220 hour requirement will be eligible for early completion. This is decided by the education director. The student is expected to be responsible to the clinical site by being punctual, dependable and cooperative.

Employment Policy

In the event that a CT position becomes available through the University Health Care, a Fast-Track CT student can apply once they have completely finished the 12 week session.

Academic Performance

Students are provided with educational resources to learn the fundamentals and details of computerized tomography. The student is responsible for their academic progress. The student will be required to complete some independent study to further their knowledge in CT. Students must maintain an overall acceptable progress throughout the program. Failure to do so will be cause for involuntary withdrawal from the program.

Transfer Credit

A nuclear medicine technologist who has completed a nuclear medicine program from another institution will need to submit all necessary materials for the education director and conduct a thorough evaluation of the curriculum and PET/CT experiences.

Graduation Requirements

In order to receive a Certificate of Completion students must:
Maintain an acceptable level of progress throughout the program.
Complete the required number of clinical hours.
Complete the ARRT clinical experience requirements.

Please see the CT or Nuclear Medicine program description for information relating to:

Student Pregnancy Policy
Radiation Monitoring/Protection
Dress Code
Governing Body
Affirmative Action Employment Policy