| Nuclear Medicine is a branch of medical diagnostic | | | | associates or bachelors degree. One year certificate |
| imaging that involves the use of radioisotopes to | | | | programs are available for individuals who already |
| visualize, diagnose, and treat medical conditions. | | | | possess training in a related diagnostic imaging field, |
| The nuclear medicine technologist is the trained health | | | | such as x-ray or ultrasonography. |
| care professional responsible for the administration of | | | | Most states will require a licensure or certification in |
| radioisotopes and operation of the nuclear medicine | | | | order to work as a nuclear medicine technologist. |
| camera. The technologist usually works under the | | | | Certification is available through the American Registry |
| direction of a radiologist, who is a physician specializing | | | | of Radiologic Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine |
| in the interpretation of medical diagnostic images. | | | | Technology Certification Board. Different states may |
| The successful technologist will be well versed in a | | | | also have individual licensure requirements. The |
| number of skills required to produce quality nuclear | | | | licensed / certified technologist must also be prepared |
| medicine scans. Among them are; safe and thorough | | | | to show evidence of continuing education in order to |
| knowledge in the operation of the gamma camera and | | | | maintain their credentials. |
| related equipment; administration and monitoring of | | | | Hospitals, private imaging centers, and larger cardiology |
| radionuclides; quality control of the nuclear medicine lab | | | | practices are generally the major employers of nuclear |
| and equipment; and radiation safety. The technologist | | | | medicine technologists. In terms of advancement, the |
| will also be responsible for related paperwork and the | | | | technologist may be promoted to supervisor and on to |
| monitoring of patients undergoing examinations. Good | | | | chief technologist. The job outlook for nuclear medicine |
| communication skills are a must as are the ability to | | | | technologists is expected to remain strong for a |
| recognize and respond to both medical and radiation | | | | number of years due to advances in the technology |
| related emergencies. | | | | and increased diagnostic imaging needs of an older |
| The training period for a nuclear medicine tech is | | | | population. |
| usually two to four years, and leads to either an | | | | |