Is a career in nuclear medicine technology for you? Read more to find out.
Education and Training
Programs in nuclear medicine technology range from 1-4 years and lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. Certificate programs are generally offered by hospitals, associate degrees by 2-year colleges, and bachelor’s degrees by a 4-year college or university. The certificate program is for the health professional who already holds a degree in radiology or medical sonography and wishes to obtain a specialty in nuclear medicine technology. In 2006 there were about 100 accredited programs in the United States and Puerto Rico for nuclear medicine technology (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008-09).
More than half of the states in the US require certification or licensing for nuclear medicine technologists, and the requirements vary from state to state. There are two agencies which provide certification, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and the Nuclear Medicien Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). Though not required, some technologists choose to receive certification from both agencies.
Nature of the Work
Nuclear medicine procedures use x-ray techniques and radiopharmaceuticals (purified compounds that emit radiation). Technologists administer the radiopharmaceuticals to patients, and these compounds localize in particular tissues or organs. The technologist then monitors the characteristics and functions of these tissues or organs for abnormalities in radioactive concentration.
In addition to monitoring test results, nuclear medicine technologists will keep records of the mount and type of radionuclides they receive, use, and discard.
Work Environment
Since technologists work with radioactive materials, they are careful to adhere to safety standards in order to keep exposure as low as possible for patients and for themselves. They also wear badges that track their exposure to radiation.
Nuclear medicine technologists are on their feet much of the day. They have to lift patients, and they have to operate complicated equipment. They generally work a 40-hour week, which can include nights and weekends. Technologists who work in a hospital may have on-call duties.
Earnings and Employment Outlook
The average earnings of nuclear medicine technologists in 2006 was $62,000.00. Also in 2006, there were about 20,000 nuclear medicine technology jobs in the US, with 67 percent of those being in hospitals. Employment is expected to increase by 15% from 2006 to 2016 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008-09).
Technological innovations are likely to increase the use of nuclear medicine; however, there are still relatively few jobs available. Because of this, the most successful candidates will be those who have additional training in radiology or medical sonography.
Images
Image: PET scan of a brain with Alzheimer's disease.
Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PET_Alzheimer.jpg
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook , 2008-09 Edition, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos104.htm.