What Does a Nuclear-Med Tech Do?
Nuclear-medicine technologists help diagnose disease by properly administering radiopharmaceuticals and operating imaging cameras. Due to the nature of daily interactions with radioactive substances, they must be knowledgeable, detail-oriented and able to adhere to strict safety rules.
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Function
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Nuclear medicine uses radionuclides to diagnose disease. These radiopharmaceuticals are mapped by imaging cameras to produce an image that relays metabolic changes occurring within the body.
Types
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Nuclear medicine offers specialties such as positron emission tomography (PET) scan and nuclear cardiology. PET scans provide 3-D views of the body; nuclear cardiology can be performed while the patient is exercising for optimal blood-flow imaging.
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Work Environment
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Nuclear-medicine technologists typically work a 40-hour work week, which may include evening and weekend hours. Work is performed mostly on your feet and requires the ability to help lift and maneuver patients.
Outlook
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Openings for nuclear-medicine technologists should increase by 16 percent by the year 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Salary
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Nuclear-medicine technologists averaged an annual salary of $66,660 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who averaged in the top-10 percent in the field earned more than $87,770.
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References
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Comments
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Do you provide the training?
