Key Takeaways:
- Nuclear medicine technologists can work in various settings including hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs, and private offices, reflecting the versatility of the career.
- The role involves preparing and administering radiopharmaceuticals, operating imaging equipment like PET and SPECT scans, and ensuring patient safety from excessive radiation.
- Aspiring nuclear medicine technologists typically pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in the field, with courses covering essential topics like chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer technology.
- Successful technologists need to communicate effectively with patients, manage safety protocols, and handle the technical aspects of imaging and data evaluation.
A nuclear medicine technologist (NMT) is an imaging specialist who uses radionuclides prepared in a solution to create radiopharmaceuticals (under the supervision of a doctor). These radiopharmaceuticals are then administered to generate imagery that detects radioactivity in the body. This type of imagery differs from something like an X-ray as the imagery records the radiation from the inside out. Whereas an X-ray utilizes radiation from an external source.
The NMT operates the equipment that generates these images and is responsible for clear communication to patients who are undergoing tests. They provide technical support to physicians and help to diagnose and treat patients. Nuclear medicine techs are employed in hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, offices and other facilities that use nuclear medical imagery.
Common nuclear medicine scans include a positron emission tomography (PET) scan and a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan. The nuclear medicine tech will be in charge of operating equipment like these.
Required Science Quick Glance
As a nuclear medicine technologist you will want to have a background in:
- chemistry
- physics
- mathematics
- medicine
- computer technology
Most nuclear medicine technologists will take these courses during their associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Skills of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Quick Glance
- Clearly communicate medical procedures and tests to patients
- Answer any questions patients may have about procedures
- Put patients at ease
- Adhere to safety protocol ensuring patients are safe from excessive radiation exposure.
- Prepare radioactive drugs
- Administer radioactive drugs
- Watch over patients and look for out-of-the-ordinary reactions to drugs
- Operate a variety of imaging equipment
- Take Data and maintain records during testing
- Evaluate Imagery
- Dispose of radioactive materials safely
- Assist during a nuclear crisis
- Maintains Patient Confidentiality
- When Necessary Transfer Patients to and from machines
A Day in the Life of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
A nuclear medicine technologist is more likely to work in a hospital setting but may work in a lab or other similar setting. Many NMTs work on weekends or in the evenings though schedules will vary depending on setting and length of time working in a facility. Like with most medical professions, shift work is likely part of the job. Each day an NMT will perform all diagnostic and nuclear medicine procedures. It is essential than an NMT have an excellent rapport with patients as the NMT is responsible for explaining the process to the patient. An NMT must conform to the ALARA precautions to ensure that each patient receives only the necessary dose of radioactive medicine. The NMT must then make up the nuclear pharmaceuticals under the supervision of a doctor. An NMT may be required to float from one facility to the next and may even be on call for some positions.
NMT Soft Skills
- Good communicator
- Friendly
- Compassionate
- Detail Oriented
- Follow Instructions
- Work as a Team
- Good Listener
- Can Take Constructive Feedback
NMT Hard Skills
- Explain Medical Procedures
- Answer medically-related questions
- Follow ALARA
- Keep Patients Safe
- Prepare Radioactive drugs
- Administer Medicine
- Monitor Patients
- Keep Detailed Records during the entire procedure
- Operate What Do I Study in a Nuclear Medical Technician Degree Program? Imagery Equipment
- Keep Detailed Records
- Radiation Disposal
How do I Become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
Most individuals who pursue a career as a nuclear medicine technologist will get either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree from a nuclear medicine program. Let’s take a look at an example curriculum from both sorts of nuclear medicine technology programs.
Sample Curriculum for an Associate’s in Nuclear Medicine Technology (A.A.S)
General Education Requirements
- Communication
- Social Behavioral Sciences
- Life and Physical Sciences/ Mathematics
- Liberal Arts/Language/Creativity
- Institution-Specific Requirement
Major Course Requirements
- Physics for Allied Health
- Nuclear Medicine Patient Care
- Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation
- Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy
- Nuclear Medicine Methodology I,II
- Advanced Positron Emission Tomography
- Seminar
- Practicum, I,II,III,IV,V
Related Courses to this Major
Total Credit Hours: 60
- Anatomy and Physiology I
- Anatomy and Physiology II
- Introduction to Chemistry
- Chemistry Lab
Sample Curriculum for a Bachelor’s in Nuclear Medicine Technology (BHS)
General Education Requirements
- English Comp I,II
- College Algebra/Calculus
- Psychology
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Speech
Major Course Requirements
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Writing
- Cross Sectional Anatomy
- Research
- Medical Sociology
- Pathophysiology
- Introduction to Clinical Practice
- Introduction to Radiation Physics
- Clinical Procedures
- Nuclear Physics and Instrumentation
- Nuclear Cardiology
- CT Instrumentation and Physics
- PET Instrumentation
- Clinical Procedures
- Advanced Cardiology
- Clinical Practicum
- CT Procedures and Protocols
Related Courses to this Major
- Anatomy and Physiology I
- Anatomy and Physiology II
- Introduction to Chemistry
- Chemistry Lab
- Physics
- Natural Science with a Lab
- Radiation Physics
Students must learn about mandatory quality control measures, health and lifestyle choices, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, state and federal regulations, and all of the other essential job functions of a nuclear medical technician. A nuclear medicine technologist works with nuclear medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes as an essential job function.
Can I Study to Become a Nuclear Medical Technician Online?
Today it is very possible to study to become a nuclear medical technician online. An online associate’s degree in nuclear medicine prepares students for an entry-level job as a nuclear medicine technologist.
You can find the majority of programming through this online format though most of these type of programs do require a practicum experience which can be arranged at a location in your area. The other component of the course that may not be supported through an online format is the anatomy and physiology course and other related courses. Check with your institution in advance to determine which courses you may need to complete elsewhere. That being said, many programs offer all of or the majority of the curriculum online.
When it comes to pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in nuclear medicine technology you may have a much more difficult time finding a good fit for an entry-level position. In many cases, students will pursue an online associate’s degree in nuclear medicine technology and then return after becoming certified to complete a bachelor’s of science. The majority of programs require an in-person component where you will gain hands-on experience with the technology. The bachelor’s degrees are generally much more thorough than the associate’s degrees and are starting to become the standard for job entry in the field.
If you are looking to complete an online bachelor’s in medical imaging technology a good path would be to complete your A.A.S in nuclear medicine technology and then return once you have received either the ARRT certification or the NMTCB certification. There are a few schools that offer a Bachelor in Radiation Science Technology. Be sure to check that these schools are accredited according to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).
Do I need to be Certified to Work as a Nuclear Medicine Technician?
To become a nuclear medicine technician you will need to obtain either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in the field. These programs included clinical experience where the individual is required to perform therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures.
From there, the majority of nuclear medicine technologists do become certified though this is not a requirement for the initial licensure it does, however, fulfill the requirements for most of the states. In some instances, your employer will require a certification regardless of the state requirements. For this reason, it is probably wise to pursue a certification.
There are two main places where you can obtain certification the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians (ARRT) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).
ARRT Certification Requirements
To become certified through ARRT you must complete an A.A.S. or higher in an ARRT-approved program. Be sure to check our the ARRT-Recognized Accreditation Agencies. Most accredited institutions will apply.
Additionally, you will be required to complete an ARRT-approved educational program. These programs may be completed at the community college level, state school level or university medical center.
Finally, you will need to pass therapeutic nuclear medicine exams with the ARRT. The exam is 4 hours long and contains 220 scored items. The majority of the questions are multiple-choice and are presented on a computer.
ARRT Content Specifications
The following are the four main categories for the ARRT exam:
- Patient Care
- Safety
- Image Production
- Procedures
Here are a few examples of the types of questions you’ll be asked by category:
Patient Care
- Ethical Considerations
- Patients Rights
- Extent of Care
- Interpersonal Communication
- Patient Education
- Physical Assistance
- Infection Control
- Equipment Disinfection
- Disposal of Contaminated Materials
Safety
- Physical Properties of Radioactive Materials
- Biological Effects of Radiation
- Basic Concepts of Radiation Protection
- NCR regulations for exposure
- Medical Events
- Area Facilities Monitoring
- Radioactive Materials
- Disposal of Pharmaceuticals
Image Production
- Survey Meter
- Dose Calibrator
- Scintillation Detector System
- Gas and Aerosol Delivery Systems
- Gamma Camera
- SPECT Acquisition
- PET/CT Scanner
- Data Processing
Procedures
- Producing Radionuclides
- Radiopharmaceutical Characteristics
- Preparation and Administration
- Calculating Dose
- Cardiac Procedures
- Endocrine and Oncology Procedures
- Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Procedures
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Therapeutic Pharmaceuticals
- Interventional Pharmaceuticals
NMTCB Certification Requirements
The NMTCB certification is considered to be a high-quality certification for any individual pursuing a career as a nuclear medicine tech. When you complete this certification you are then allowed to use the CNMT designation.
Am I Eligible to Take the NMTCB Exam?
In order to take the exam you will need to complete a NMTCB recognized NMT program.
This program must be accredited and culminate with a certificate meaning that an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree will work for this. These programs must include a clinical training component.
Once you have fulfilled these two areas you will be ready to prepare for your exam.
The exam committee focuses on practical experiences that commonly occur in the first year of your NMT career. The following areas are covered on the test:
- Radiation Physics and Detection
- Radiation Safety and Regulations
- Pharmaceutical and Radiopharmaceutical Agents
- Instrumentation Operation and Quality Control
- Clinical Procedures
The exam is formatted as a multiple choice test and is offered at IQT Testing Centers across the nation. The questions are centered around the practical application of materials learned during your course not on rote memorization of facts.
Additionally, the NMTCB offers certifications for continuing education including their CT Exam, Radiation Safety Exam, PET Specialty Exam, NCT Specialty Exam, and NMAA Exam. Continuing education allows you to remain certified, relevant and generally opens more doors in your career. These types of
What jobs can you get with a nuclear medicine technology degree?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) NMT employment for nuclear medicine technologist jobs is projected to grow at a pace of 7% between 2018 and 2028. This is faster than the average for all occupations.
This position primarily looks at the organ systems of the body and the aging population will have an effect on the demand of this particular job. For example, an NMT may need to sue a NCT (nuclear cardiology) to examine a patient’s heat. An NMT is also trained to respond in times of emergency. The future landscape may have an impact on the demand of this job.
A degree in nuclear medicine technology often leads to a career as a nuclear medicine technician. The NMT may find a position in a hospital, physicians office, outpatient care center, and medical and diagnostic laboratories. These positions are typically full-time and may include time spent on the evenings and weekends. This job focuses on radioactive chemical compounds that have been prepared to make radiopharmaceuticals
What Jobs are Related to the Nuclear Care Technologist?
A Radiologic Technologist analyzes patients from the outside in. This person uses diagnostic imagery such as an MRI, X-Ray or CT to take images of patients. This individual typically works in a hospital or clinical setting.
A Biological technician has a background in biology and assists biologists and medical scientists conduct their laboratory tests. The job is research-heavy and takes place inside of a laboratory.
Radiation Therapist
A radiation therapist helps to treat patients by administering radiation therapy and will treat diseases such as cancer as well as other diseases that require radiation treatment. This is a high-paying job that is typically a full-time position.
Medical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
Medical Laboratory Technologists (AKA Medical Laboratory Scientists) analyze samples in a lab.
How many years does it take to become a nuclear medicine technologist?
Generally speaking it will take 2-4 years of education to become an NMT. An A.A.S. is a 2 year degree and a Bachelor’s degree generally takes 4 years to complete.
Should I Pursue an Associate’s in Nuclear Medicine Technology or a Bachelor’s in Nuclear Medicine Technology?
Associate’s Degrees Pros
- Affordable Tuition
- Only 2 Years Long
- Good for Entry Level Jobs
Associate’s Degrees Cons
- Not As Thorough
- Many Jobs Require A Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s Degrees Pros
- Thorough Programming
- Many Jobs Seeking Candidates With a Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s Degrees Cons
- Takes Longer to Complete
- More Expensive
- Still Only Entry Level Jobs
What are the Salary Expectations of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
According to the BLS the median wage for NMTs is $76,820. The highest paid NMTs get up to $104,730 and the lowest paid get $55,330. However, due to demand, a travel nuclear medicine technologist can earn much more.
A nuclear medicine technician is an excellent job that is on the rise. This position requires an individual who is sensitive and sharp as well as hard working. It is possible to land a job after just 2 years of schooling and certification is still at this stage optional. Most jobs require at least one certification. There is a faster than average rise in job expectations for NMTs. If you are interested in physics and helping people find solutions to their health concerns, this is a fantastic option.
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