How to Prepare for an Examination in Nuclear Medicine Technology
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) founded in 1977, establishes standards for education and experience requirements. The purpose of the certification process is to protect the public by distinguishing candidates that have met their strict standards of practical knowledge and clinical skills. Passing the competency-based examination awards the candidate with the certified nuclear medicine technology (CNMT) credential. The certification examination represents current methods and the entire scope of practice and theory of nuclear medicine technology.
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Instructions
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Prepare for the nuclear medicine exam after you have graduated from an approved nuclear medicine technology program. Apply two months before the desired test date. Send the exam application and $175 fee (as of August, 2010) electronically or by mail to the address on the printable application. You will be notified and given instructions to contact the test vendor for scheduling the location and date. Instructions on what to bring and regulations are provided on the authorization to test letter.
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Access the NMTCB website, in the left column go to "Sample Exam Questions" under "Nuclear Medicine Exam." Study the 29 questions and answers. Find the textbooks recommended by colleagues and teachers to be most applicable to study for the exam. Study any aids--like flashcards and teaching videos--relevant to the exam content.
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Practice early on with sample testing and find which areas you are weakest and strongest in. This is important in dividing your study time more focused and strategically. Sample questions focus on nuclear instrumentation, dose calibration and administration, imaging procedures, non-imaging procedures, radiopharmacy and radiation protection.
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Study by categories broken into four domains and the percentage of questions on the exam: radiation safety-15 percent, instrumentation-20 percent, clinical procedures-45 percent, radiopharmacy-20 percent. Focus on the weakest area you have ascertained by taking the sample quiz.
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Study the "Components of Preparedness" tasks as prepared by the NMTCB to assist students. The subheadings apply to equipment, pharmaceuticals and procedures. The tasks are: content base, comprehension, application and analysis levels. Each task has many objectives at that level to study in detail.
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Arrive on time at the exam testing site. Make sure your identification is the exact same name as on the application and authorization to test letter. Take the computer-adaptive test that interacts with previous answers to formulate progressive questions. The NMTCB examination is task-oriented, it does not test the recalling of basic knowledge but tests practical knowledge as it applies to nuclear medicine technology practice.
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Tips & Warnings
There are many opportunities in nuclear medicine technology for job advancements and higher earnings.
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