7.4 Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Brandon Censon MPH, CPH, RRT-NPS, CPFT, CPT
Nuclear medicine technologists perform diagnostic exams by administering small doses of radioactive medication to patients. Once the medication is administered, high-tech medical imaging equipment is used to capture images of the radioactive material in the body. In addition to diagnostics, nuclear medicine technologists may also administer radiation internally to treat certain medical conditions.
Nuclear medicine technologists are generally responsible for preparing and administering radioactive medications, recording images to diagnose and treat a patient’s condition, and evaluating specimens in the lab.
Nuclear medicine technologists work in hospitals, imaging and medical clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and research centers.
Academic Requirements and Career Pathway
The academic requirements for nuclear medicine technologists include earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in medical imaging with a specialization in nuclear medicine technology (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Upon successfully completing their degree program, students can take the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) exam.
Attributions
- Figure 7.4: Nuclear Medicine Scanner (05810480) by IAEA Imagebank is released under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0