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Nuclear Medicine Technology
Nuclear medicine technology involves the administration of radioactive tracers to diagnose disease in the human body. If working with radioactive substances doesn't dissuade you, then read further to learn about careers in this growing medical field.
Is Nuclear Medicine Technology for Me?
As a nuclear medicine technologist, you administer radiopharmaceuticals to a patient by having the patient inhale or swallow the medicine. A technologist may also inject radiopharmaceuticals or administer intravenously. The radioactive substances, called tracers, emit gamma rays. A gamma scintillation camera, which scans the patient's body, detects the emitted gamma rays.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is another imaging technique used in nuclear medicine. The technique uses metabolized substances (i.e. glucose) as tracers, which collect in the targeted tissue or organ. You use this technique to measure bodily functions, including blood flow or sugar metabolism.
In nuclear cardiology, you perform a myocardial perfusion to map blood flow and heart function of the patient at rest and after exercise. Nuclear medicine technologydiffers from imaging performed by radiologic technologists using magnetic resonance imaging and x-rays, which reveal only the structure of tissues or organs rather than metabolic changes.
Traits that might help you succeed in the field of nuclear medicine technology include compassion for patients in health distress. You need physical stamina since you stand on your feet for several hours each day and must positioning patients appropriately. Work in this field requires a detail-oriented, methodical mind, because you must follow procedures for handling radioactive substances in accordance with federal safety regulations.
As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in May 2010, nuclear medicine technology earned an average salary of $69,050 annually (www.bls.gov). The BLS anticipated that the number of jobs for nuclear medicine technologists to grow by 16% from 2008-2018. Despite growth projections, the field is competitive.
How Can I Work in Nuclear Medicine Technology?
Nuclear medicine technology program options include a 12-month certificate, 2-year associate's degree and 4-year bachelor's degree programs. In addition to coursework in anatomy and physiology, courses in this field include basic nuclear medical science, computers in nuclear medicine and radiopharmacy.
At the graduate level you may enroll in a Nuclear Medicine Advanced Associate program, which confers the degree Master of Imaging Science. You may take courses in patient assessment, clinical pharmacology, pathophysiology and America healthcare systems, along with clinical internships.
Nuclear medicine technologists' licensing requirements vary depending on the state, while certification through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is becoming standard in the field. Effective January 1, 2015, you must possess an academic degree to obtain ARRT certification. Beginning January 1, 2016, you must graduate from a programmatically accredited program in nuclear medicine technology in order to obtain certification from the NMTCB. The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) administrates accreditation.
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