The
field of nuclear medicine involves diagnoses and procedures of
various diseases, making use of radiation, magnetic resonance
imaging, and radio wave equipment. A nuclear medicine
technologist is involved with monitoring and diagnosing patients
by administering radiopharmaceuticals, and often works alongside
doctors in a hospital setting.
What is Nuclear
Medicine?
Nuclear
medicine is a branch of medical imaging and medicine that utilizes nuclear
properties during diagnosis and therapy. Nuclear medicine can be broken down
into various categories including:
-
Radionuclides
-
Pharmaceuticals
-
Nuclear scintigraphy
Nuclear
medicine is different from other imaging modalities since it focuses on the
physiological function of the system. Nuclear medicine images can also make use
of CT or MRI scanning procedures, as this is an important part of
radiopharmaceutical diagnosis. Diagnostic tests are generally requested from a
specific department of a hospital or clinic, and involve exploiting the body to
see how it handles different substances. In a typical situation, a radionuclide
is injected into the body or combined with food. After a period of time, the
nuclear medicine technologist is then responsible for monitoring the patient's
cells through the use of medical imaging equipment.
Job Description and
Responsibilities of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Graduates of a nuclear medicine
school, and those who pursue a career as a nuclear medicine tech are expected
to:
-
Work directly with patients
-
Work under the supervision of
a physician, doctor, or trained nuclear medicine tech
-
Learn how to limit radiation
exposure to patients and themselves
-
Document all lab operations
-
Assist in scheduling patient
examinations
-
Interpret images and film
with a physician
Career Options After Nuclear Medicine Technologist Training and Nuclear Medicine
School
Nuclear medicine technologists and students who attend nuclear
medicine school may choose to work in:
-
Hospitals
-
Physician's offices
-
Private clinics
-
Group health practices
Nuclear Medicine
Training & Certification
Most states require
certification and licensing for a prospective nuclear medicine technologist.
Nuclear medicine technology programs can be between 1 to 4 years in length with
certification, an associate's degree, and a bachelor's degree available.
Certification programs are available through most hospitals, and can be used to
pursue a career in nuclear medicine in lieu of attending a formal nuclear
medicine school.
Certification generally
requires an associate's degree, and is available primarily through the American
Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine Technology
Certification Board. Certification from both of these agencies is another
option. The one-year program is ideal for a prospective nuclear medicine
technician interested in specializing in nuclear medicine who may already have
an associate degree as a diagnostic medical sonographer or radiologic
technologist. Certification through a two-year program is another option for
those attending a nuclear medicine school.
Nuclear medicine schools can
provide ample training in subjects such as:
-
Computer applications
-
Radiation protection,
including procedures and applications
-
Biological effects of
exposure to radiation
-
Physical sciences
-
Human physiology
-
Radiopharmaceuticals
A nuclear medicine technician
may begin as an assistant, and move ahead to an independent position and then a
supervisor. Specialization is another option, and a nuclear medicine
technologist may become an instructor or researcher as well.
Nuclear Medicine
School
Accreditation
The Joint Review Committee on
Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology is responsible for
accreditation of nuclear medicine training programs or a nuclear medicine school
specializing in nuclear medicine technology. Over 100 accredited programs are
available throughout the U.S.
Nuclear Medicine Technician Earning Potential and Employment Prospects
The field of nuclear medicine looks promising, and employment
prospects for nuclear medicine technologists are expected to grow faster than
average with the technological advances in the medical field. As more people
require imaging and testing procedures, skilled and experienced nuclear medicine
tech professionals are in high demand. The addition of new nuclear medical
imaging technologies in the industry will require ongoing training,
education, and
certification in the field. Median annual earnings for nuclear medicine
technologists were $56,450 in 2004. Related occupations include:
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