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Nuclear Medicine Technologist Training Many employers and an increasing number of States require certification or licensure. Aspiring nuclear medicine technologists should check the requirements of the State in which they plan to work. Certification is available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. Some workers receive certification from both agencies. Nuclear medicine technologist must meet the minimum Federal standards on the administration of radioactive drugs and the operation of radiation detection equipment. Nuclear medicine technologist programs range in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. Generally, certificate programs are offered in hospitals, associate degree programs in community colleges, and bachelor’s degree programs in 4-year colleges and universities. Courses cover the physical sciences, biological effects of radiation exposure, radiation protection and procedures, the use of radiopharmaceuticals, imaging techniques, and computer applications. One-year certificate programs are for health professionals who already posses an associate degree—especially radiologic technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers—but who wish to specialize in nuclear medicine. The programs also attract medical technologists, registered nurses, and others who wish to change fields or specialize. Others interested in nuclear medicine technology have three options: a 2-year certificate program, a 2-year associate degree program, or a 4-year bachelor’s degree program. The Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology accredits most formal training programs in nuclear medicine technology. In 2005, there were 100 accredited programs in the continental United States and Puerto Rico. Nuclear medicine technologists should be sensitive to patients’ physical and psychological needs. They must pay attention to detail, follow instructions, and work as part of a team. In addition, operating complicated equipment requires mechanical ability and manual dexterity. Nuclear medicine technologist
may advance to supervisor, then to chief technologist, and, finally,
to department
administrator or director. Some Nuclear medicine technologist
specialize in a clinical area such as nuclear cardiology or computer
analysis or leave patient care to take positions in research laboratories.
Some Nuclear medicine technologists become instructors in, or directors
of, nuclear medicine technology programs, a step that usually requires
a bachelor’s or master’s
degree in the subject. Others leave the occupation to work as sales
or training representatives for medical equipment and radiopharmaceutical
manufacturing firms or as radiation safety officers in regulatory agencies
or hospitals. |