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Career Information
A nuclear medicine technologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the preparation and administration of radioactive materials for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic procedures. Working as part of a multidisciplinary medical team, they collaborate closely with nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, medical physicists, and other healthcare providers.
Their primary responsibilities include:
- Imaging Procedures: Perform nuclear medicine scans using specialized equipment such as gamma cameras and PET scanners to capture images of organ function and structure.
- Radiopharmaceutical Preparation and Administration: Prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients, ensuring proper dosage and safety protocols are followed.
- Patient Care: Monitor patients before, during, and after procedures, providing clear instructions and ensuring comfort and safety throughout the process.
- Equipment Operation and Quality Control: Operate and maintain imaging equipment, perform quality control checks, and ensure compliance with safety standards and regulatory guidelines.
- Data Analysis and Documentation: Analyze imaging results, assist physicians in interpreting data, and maintain accurate patient records.
Nuclear medicine technologists play a vital role in diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. They typically work in hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, and specialized clinics. With additional education and experience, technologists may advance into roles such as PET/CT specialists, educators, researchers, or administrative and leadership positions.
Program Information
The Nuclear Medicine Technology professional program covers theory and techniques in nuclear medicine technology through didactic and clinical coursework. Prospective students typically apply to this two-year program during their sophomore year and begin in fall of their junior year.
Up to nine students are accepted into this 2-year professional program each year. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification exams in Nuclear Medicine Technology through both the ARRT and NMTCB. Students will have also completed didactic coursework for the national certification exam in CT.
Admission & Degree Requirements
Prerequisite Courses
Rhetoric: RHET:1030 Rhetoric
Anatomy with lab: one of these:
HHP:2100 and HHP:2110 Human Anatomy and Lab
HHP:3115 Anatomy for Human Physiology with Lab
Physiology with lab: one of these:
HHP:2400 and HHP:2410 Fund. of Human Physiology and Lab
HHP:3500 and HHP:2410 Human Physiology and Lab
HHP:3550 Human Physiology with Lab
Physics: PHYS:1400 Basic Physics
Chemistry with lab:
CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I
Psychology: PSY:1001 Elem. Psychology
Math: one of these:
MATH:1440 Math for the Bio Sciences
MATH:1020 Elementary Functions
General Education: 3sh from 2 of the following areas:
Understanding Cultural Persp. (UCP)
Historical Perspectives (HP)
International and Global Issues (IGI)
Literary, Visual, and Perf. Arts (LVPA)
Values and Society (VS)
Medical Terminology: CLSA:3750 Medical and Technical Terminology
A total of 60sh coursework
Program Admission Requirements
- Prerequisites courses must be completed by June 1
- 2.5 minimum cumulative college GPA
- 2.0 minimum UI GPA
- 2.0 minimum college semester GPA in the spring or summer immediately prior to the start of the program.
- Two years of high school world language
- International students and students whose first language is not English: must satisfy all UI Admissions requirements, complete the English Language Requirements for Admission, and have clearance to take a full academic load.
Recommendations
- Job shadowing in nuclear medicine
- Hands-on patient care experience
- RSP:1100 Introduction to Radiation Sciences
- STAT:1020 Statistics
- CHEM:1120 Princ. of Chemistry II
- HHP:1400 Human Anatomy & Physiology or BIOL:1140 Human Biology (prior to anatomy course)
- BAIS:1500 Business Computing Essentials
- PSY:1010 Learning about Learning
Notes:
-- Apply to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Nuclear Medicine Technology Interest or Radiation Sciences Interest
-- Separate application for competitive selection due by January 15
-- Early acceptance application option. Details below.
-- Admission to a Nuclear Medicine Technology program is not guaranteed.
-- Transfer students – apply by November.
-- Also see the Transfer Credits link on the Resources section of the website
Degree Requirements
- Nuclear Medicine Technology course work (2-year track)
NMT – up to 8 students accepted per year
- Semester hour and GPA Requirements:
- Successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit
- Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative and UI GPA
- Complete all track courses with a C or above
Prerequisite example plans are located on the Prospective Students page.
-- Students are advised for success, based on academic strength, not necessarily for a 4-year plan.
Accreditation
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JCRNMT).
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
820 W Danforth Road #B1
Edmond, OK 73003
Phone: 1-405-285-0546
Fax: 405-285-0579
Web: jrcnmt.org
General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.
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