|
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Medicine Technologists work under the supervision of a physician in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions. Duties frequently involve direct contact with patients in performing scans (Nuclear Imaging Studies), but also include laboratory procedure preparation, recording images, computer processing, decision making and administration of radiopharmaceuticals. More specific duties of technologists are: the calculation, preparation, and administration of radioactive drugs; positioning and equipment operation in detecting the drugs; and preparation of films and graphs for physician interpretation. Candidates for this career must be in good physical condition. Personal characteristics should include accuracy, thoughtfulness, compassion, courtesy, and the desire to work with people.
Applicants for admission to a Nuclear Medicine Technology program may have varied backgrounds. Certificate programs are one year in length and include clinical experience as well as classroom instruction. Applicants must be certified or certified-eligible in radiography, registered in nursing or medical technology or have a bachelor's degree in a science or health field. Graduates of the one year program may apply for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board of Examination.
Associate degree and Bachelor degree nuclear medicine programs may be entered after high school graduation. Experience has shown that mathematics and science courses especially physics, chemistry and biology are helpful in preparation for a career in nuclear medicine.
- 4 year Bachelors Degree
- 4+ year Bachelors Degree
This is a rapidly growing field that provides many opportunities for learning and growth as new technology and treatments are constantly being developed. Job opportunities are available in hospitals, public health institutions, research institutes, the military, and diagnostic imaging clinics.
Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Substantial growth in the number of middle-aged and older persons will spur demand for diagnostic procedures, including nuclear medicine tests. Furthermore, technological innovations seem likely to increase the diagnostic uses of nuclear medicine. One example is the use of radiopharmaceuticals in combination with monoclonal antibodies to detect cancer at far earlier stages than is customary today, and without resorting to surgery. Another is the use of radionuclides to examine the heart’s ability to pump blood. Wider use of positron emission tomography imaging to observe metabolic and biochemical changes for neurology, cardiology, and oncology procedures, will also spur demand for nuclear medicine technologists.
Cost consideration will affect the speed with which new applications of nuclear medicine grow. Some promising nuclear medicine procedures, such as positron emission tomography, are extremely costly, and hospitals contemplating them will have to consider equipment costs, reimbursement policies, and the number of potential users.
Nuclear medical technologists operate sophisticated equipment to help physicians and other health practitioners diagnose and treat patients. So do radiologic technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, cardiology technologists, electroencephalographic technologists, clinical laboratory technologists, perfusionists, and respiratory therapists.
$44,130
*NATIONAL MEDIAN SALARIES CITED COURTESY OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SOURCES:
- UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- 2003 ASHA Omnibus Survey
|
