NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY

The Luther College nuclear medicine technology program requires three years of study on campus (96 semester hours) followed by one year of off-campus study in one of the affiliating health care facilities. Students who enjoy science and would like to be a part of the health team will find a rewarding career in nuclear medicine technology.

The off-campus clinical year of study may be completed at one of the following affiliates.

Nuclear Medicine Technology: Mayo School of Health-Related Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota. Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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. Radiologic technologists 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 which 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 which 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. Technologists also wear badges that measure radiation levels. Because of safety programs, however, badge measurements rarely exceed established safety levels.

Employment*

Nuclear medicine technologists held about 14,000 jobs in 1998. About 8 out of 10 jobs were in hospitals. The rest were in physicians' offices and clinics, including imaging centers.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement*

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 ultrasound technologists wishing 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 1999, there were 96 accredited programs.

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.

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.

Job Outlook*

Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2008. The number of openings each year will be very low because the occupation is small. Growth will arise from an increase in the number of middle-aged and older persons who are the primary users of diagnostic procedures, including nuclear medicine tests. Nonetheless, job seekers will face more competition for jobs than in the recent past. In an attempt to employ fewer technologists and lower labor costs, hospitals have begun to merge nuclear medicine and radiologic technology departments. Consequently, opportunities will be best for technologists who can perform both nuclear medicine and radiologic procedures.

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, will also 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, are extremely costly, and hospitals contemplating them will have to consider equipment costs, reimbursement policies, and the number of potential users.

Earnings*

Median annual earnings of nuclear medicine technologists were $39,610 in 1998. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,910 and $46,570 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,590 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,770 a year.

Sources of Additional Information*

Additional information on a career as a nuclear medicine technologist is available from:

• The Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section, 1850 Samuel Morse Dr., Reston, VA 22090.

For information on a career as a nuclear medicine technologist, enclose a stamped, self-addressed business size envelope with your request to:

• American Society of Radiologic Technologists, Customer Service Department, 15000 Central Ave., SE,. Albuquerque, NM 87123-3917, or call (800) 444-2778.

For a list of accredited programs in nuclear medicine technology, write to:

• Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology, PMB 418, 1 2nd Avenue East, Suite C, Polson, MT 59860-2107.

Information on certification is available from:

• Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, 2970 Clairmont Rd., Suite 610, Atlanta, GA 30329.

Sample Luther Curriculum

The following sample curriculum is intended to provide advice to students regarding a possible course of study for this program.  This is only a sample--the specific course of study may be altered in consultation with your faculty adviser.

First Year - Fall Semester

• PAIDEIA I
• Chemistry (21)
• Math (28)
• Psychology (30)

First Year - January Term

• Elective or general requirement

First Year - Spring Semester

• PAIDEIA I
• Chemistry (22)
• Physical Education
• Religion/Philosophy Course
• Foreign Language

Sophomore Year - Fall Semester

• Principles of Biology (21)
• Organic Chemistry (21)
• MIS 30
• Religion/Philosophy Course

Sophomore Year - January Term

• General requirement or elective

Sophomore Year - Spring Semester

• Principles of Biology (22)
• Organic Chemistry (42)
• Biology (41), Radioisotopes in Science
• Physical Education
• Religion/Philosophy Course

Junior Year - Fall Semester

• Physics (21)
• Biology (43)
• Biostatistics
• Physical Education

Junior Year - January Term

• General requirement or elective

Junior Year - Spring Semester

• Physics (22)
• Biology 55
• PAIDEIA II
• General requirement or elective

Senior Year - Fall Semester

• Biology (23)
• Chemistry (26)
• Biology 69
• General requirement or elective

Senior Year - January Term

• General requirement or elective

Senior Year - Spring Semester

• Computer Science 11
• Social Science Course
• General requirement or elective
• Senior Research Paper

Campus Contact(s)

Marian Kaehler, Professor of Biology

* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2000-01 Occupational Outlook Handbook.