Nuclear Medicine Technologists Are Specialized Health Care Professionals

Position Overview
Nuclear medicine technologists are specialized health care professionals who operate imaging equipment that examines how an area of a patient’s body is functioning in order to help in the diagnosis or treatment of varying diseases and conditions. Nuclear medicine technologists are also responsible for preparing and administering radioactive drugs called radiopharmaceuticals that uses radiation to highlight abnormal areas of a patient’s body so that it is easy for the technologist to separate aberrancies from normal, functioning areas of the body. The different concentrations of radioactivity allow imaging equipment to monitor and detect these abnormalities in tissue and organ functions, such as a tumor. They may perform tests

A nuclear medicine technologist needs a high school diploma and, usually, an associate’s in nuclear medicine technology obtained from an accredited nuclear medicine technology program. It is also common for a prospective nuclear medicine technologist to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the event that it is required by a specific employer. In some instances, technologists will become qualified by completing their associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related health field, such as radiologic technology or nursing, and then completing a 12-month certificate program in nuclear medicine technology (Occupation Outlook Handbook, 2015). Most nuclear medicine technology programs include clinical experience where technologists have the opportunity to gain experience by practicing job responsibilities under the supervision of a certified nuclear medicine technologist and physician or surgeon who specializes in nuclear medicine. Technologists must meet minimal clinical competency standards that adhere to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) in order to demonstrate adherence to quality education standards specific to nuclear medicine (Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMTCB),

Most medical facilities and third-party payers prefer imaging equipment, such as ultrasound, because it is less expensive and intrusive. Therefore, the demand for nuclear medicine technologists is slower than average compared to other health care professions. Employment is only projected to grow 2 percent in the next few years, however this could be expected to change as the population ages and the demand for imaging increases. Many older patients rely on the use of medical imaging to diagnose and treat medical conditions, such as heart disease. As more individuals are receiving access to health insurance with the help of federal health insurance reform, this could also produce an increase in the demand for nuclear medicine technology. (OOH,