Nuclear Medicine Technologists Career Information
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Significant Points
· Faster-than-average growth will arise from an increase in the number
of middle-aged and elderly persons, who are the primary users of diagnostic
procedures.
· Technologists with cross training in radiologic technology or other modalities will have the best prospects.
Nature of the Work
In nuclear medicine, radionuclides—unstable
atoms that emit radiation spontaneously—are used to diagnose and treat disease.
Radionuclides are purified and compounded like other drugs to form radiopharmaceuticals.
Nuclear medicine technologists administer these radiopharmaceuticals
to patients, then monitor the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs
in which they localize. Abnormal areas show higher or lower concentrations of
radioactivity than normal.
Nuclear medicine technologists operate cameras that detect and map the radioactive drug in the patient's body to create an image on photographic film or a computer monitor. Radiologic technologists and technicians also operate diagnostic imaging equipment, but their equipment creates an image by projecting an x ray through the patient.
Nuclear medicine technologists explain test procedures to patients. They prepare a dosage of the radiopharmaceutical and administer it by mouth, injection, or other means. When preparing radiopharmaceuticals, technologists adhere to safety standards that keep the radiation dose to workers and patients as low as possible.
Technologists position patients and start a gamma scintillation camera, or "scanner," which creates images of the distribution of a radiopharmaceutical as it localizes in and emits signals from the patient's body. Technologists produce the images on a computer screen or on film for a physician to interpret. Some nuclear medicine studies, such as cardiac function studies, are processed with the aid of a computer.
Nuclear medicine technologists also perform radioimmunoassay studies that assess the behavior of a radioactive substance inside the body. For example, technologists may add radioactive substances to blood or serum to determine levels of hormones or therapeutic drug content.
Technologists keep patient records and record the amount and type of radionuclides received, used, and disposed of.
Working Conditions
Nuclear medicine technologists generally
work a 40-hour week. This may include evening or weekend hours in departments
that operate on an extended schedule. Opportunities for part-time and shift
work are also available. In addition, technologists in hospitals may have on-call
duty on a rotational basis.
Because technologists are on their feet much of the day, and may lift or turn disabled patients, physical stamina is important.
Although there is potential for radiation exposure in this field, it is kept to a minimum by the use of shielded syringes, gloves, and other protective devices and adherence to strict radiation safety guidelines. Technologists also wear badges that measure radiation levels. Because of safety programs, however, badge measurements rarely exceed established safety levels.
Nuclear medicine technologists held about 18,000 jobs in 2009. About 7 out of 10 were in hospitals—private and government. Most of the rest were in offices of physicians or in medical and diagnostic laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers.
Training, Qualifications, Adv.
Nuclear medicine technology programs range
in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, associate's degree, or
bachelor's degree. Generally, certificate programs are offered in hospitals,
associate programs in community colleges, and bachelor's programs in 4-year
colleges and in universities. Courses cover physical sciences, the 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, especially radiologic technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers, who wish to specialize in nuclear medicine. They also attract medical technologists, registered nurses, and others who wish to change fields or specialize. Others interested in the nuclear medicine technology field have three options: A 2-year certificate program, a 2-year associate program, or a 4-year bachelor's program.
The Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology accredits most formal training programs in nuclear medicine technology. In 2000, there were 95 accredited programs in the continental United States and Puerto Rico.
All nuclear medicine technologists must meet the minimum Federal standards on the administration of radioactive drugs and the operation of radiation detection equipment. In addition, about half of all States require technologists to be licensed. Technologists also may obtain voluntary professional certification or registration. Registration or certification is available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. Most employers prefer to hire certified or registered technologists.
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.
Technologists may advance to supervisor, then to chief technologist, and to department administrator or director. Some technologists specialize in a clinical area such as nuclear cardiology or computer analysis or leave patient care to take positions in research laboratories. Some become instructors or directors in nuclear medicine technology programs, a step that usually requires a bachelor's degree or a master's in nuclear medicine technology. 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.
Technological innovations may increase the diagnostic uses of nuclear medicine. One example is the use of radiopharmaceuticals in combination with monoclonal antibodies to detect cancer at far earlier stages than is customary today, and without resorting to surgery. Another is the use of radionuclides to examine the heart's ability to pump blood. Wider use of nuclear medical imaging to observe metabolic and biochemical changes for neurology, cardiology, and oncology procedures, also will spur some demand for nuclear medicine technologists. On the other hand, cost considerations will affect the speed with which new applications of nuclear medicine grow. Some promising nuclear medicine procedures, such as positron emission tomography (PET), are extremely costly, and hospitals contemplating them will have to consider equipment costs, reimbursement policies, and the number of potential users. Job Outlook
Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is expected to for all occupations through the year 2010.
Median annual earnings of nuclear medicine technologists were $56,450 in May 2009. The middle 50 percent earned between $48,720 and $67,460. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,300. Median annual earnings of nuclear medicine technologists in May 2009 were $54,920 in general medical and surgical hospitals.
Nuclear medical technologists operate sophisticated equipment to help physicians and other health practitioners diagnose and treat patients. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, diagnostic medical sonographers, radiation therapists, radiologic technologists and technicians, and respiratory therapists perform similar functions.Related Occupations
Additional information on a career as a nuclear medicine technologist is available from: For career information, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope with your request to: For a list of accredited programs in nuclear medicine technology, write to: Information on certification is available from:Sources of Additional Information