Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Description
Nuclear medicine uses diagnostic testing that utilizes unstable atoms to produce radiation to identify and treat various diseases. Nuclear medicine technologists are responsible for administering radioactive drugs to patients during tests and monitoring the process to ensure that both they and their patients are not exposed to dangerous radiation levels. Given the potential risks of nuclear medicine testing, technologists must receive specialized training and meet state licensing requirements so patients are assured that they meet professional standards in the field.
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Duties
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Nuclear medicine technologists explain the diagnostic testing process to patients, and administer prescribed doses of radioactive drugs according to safety protocol. Once the drugs have been administered, they use cameras or scanners to follow the path of the drugs through patients’ bodies in order to capture diagnostic images. The images are produced on a computer or film so that doctors are able to study the results. Nuclear medicine technologists keep careful records of the radioactive drug dosage that patients receive, and document the amount of all drugs that they handle. Nuclear medicine technologists may specialize in positron emission tomography (PET) or nuclear cardiology. PET testing provides 3-D images of the body, while nuclear cardiology allows doctors to see images of the heart and blood flow.
Education
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Prospective nuclear medicine technologists may receive training at colleges and universities, community colleges or hospitals. Programs vary in length, and award a bachelor’s degree, associate degree or certificate. Students take classes in physical sciences, radiopharmaceuticals, imaging procedures, radiation exposure effects, radiation safety procedures and computer skills. Professionals in the health care field who already have a bachelor’s or associate degree in another field usually enter a nuclear medicine program that awards a certificate.
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Licensure and Certification
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 25 states that required nuclear medicine technologists to be licensed in 2008. Requirements vary by state, so prospective technologists should consult their state licensing board. Nuclear medicine technologists may also obtain certification. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) both offer voluntary certification for nuclear medicine technologists. Requirements vary based on the certifying organization, but both the ARRT and NMTCB require candidates to pass a certification exam. While not necessary, some technologists choose to become certified by both organizations. Both the ARRT and NMTCB require nuclear medicine technologists to participate in continuing education courses in order to maintain their certification.
Working Conditions
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Work as a nuclear medicine technologist can be physically demanding because technologists must stand for long periods and may be required to lift disabled patients. Due to the risk of radiation exposure, they must also follow proper safety procedures, such as using gloves, shielded syringes and other safety equipment. Nuclear medicine technologists also wear safety badges that are able to detect radiation levels, so they are alerted if the exposure ever reaches an unsafe level. Most nuclear medical technologists work standard 40 hour weeks, though they may be required to work on-call shifts during nights or weekends. Some may also work in a part-time capacity.
Salary
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages for nuclear medicine technologists were $66,660 as of May 2008. The highest 10 percent were paid more than $87,770, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,450. The middle 50 percent earned between $57,270 and $78,240.
Employment Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment for nuclear medicine technologists will grow by 16 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is a faster rate than the average for all occupations. Advances in technology, new courses of nuclear medicine treatment and the growing elderly and middle-aged populations will fuel much of the growth. However, competition will be fierce for jobs because the number of qualified technologists seeking employment will exceed the number of available positions. Candidates who have experience in more than one diagnostic method or have trained in nuclear cardiology should have the best opportunities.
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References
- Photo Credit patient's arm prepped for iv drip image by nextrecord from Fotolia.com
