What is a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?

A nuclear medicine technologist is a specially trained healthcare professional who use radioactive materials to diagnose and treat disease. Nuclear medicine procedures are noninvasive and often used to provide information that would otherwise be unavailable.

Job Description

Nuclear medicine technologists use radioisotopes to diagnose and treat diseases. The radioisotopes emit gamma rays that can be detected by special cameras. This process is known as nuclear imaging.

Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radioisotopes to patients. They work with physicians and other health care professionals to develop imaging protocols and to explain the procedures to patients.

Nuclear medicine technologists operate gamma cameras, PET scanners, and other equipment to create images of the body. They also maintain records of procedures and administer quality control testing.

In some states, nuclear medicine technologists must be licensed or certified.

Salary

Nuclear medicine technologists are in high demand and earn a median salary of $75,560 per year, or $36.38 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10 percent of earners make more than $102,860 per year, while the bottom 10 percent make less than $56,340 per year.

Education and Training

Nuclear medicine technologists must complete a postsecondary educational program in nuclear medicine technology. Programs typically lead to an associate’s degree, but some offer a certificate or a bachelor’s degree.

Nuclear medicine technology programs include classroom and laboratory work in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, and radiobiology. These programs also include clinical components, in which students gain experience working with patients.

Most states require nuclear medicine technologists to be licensed or registered. Requirements vary by state but generally include completing an accredited educational program and passing a written exam.

What Does a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Do?

A Nuclear Medicine Technologist is a medical professional who is responsible for imaging tests that use radioactive materials. They work closely with Nuclear Medicine Physicians to prepare and administer radioactive drugs to patients. They also operate imaging equipment and are responsible for patient safety during the procedure.

Preparation

Nuclear medicine technologists work in hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers and doctors’ offices. They prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, which are drugs that contain radioactive isotopes. The isotopes emit gamma rays, which are then detected by special cameras to create images of the body’s tissues and organs.

Nuclear medicine technologists must have a thorough understanding of the scientific principles involved in nuclear medicine imaging. They must be able to explain the procedures to patients and answer their questions. They must also be able to work with computers and other sophisticated equipment.

Most nuclear medicine technologists complete a two- or four-year program in nuclear medicine technology.

Procedure

Nuclear medicine is the branch of medicine that uses unsealed radioactive materials to diagnose and treat illness. A nuclear medicine technologist is a highly trained professional who uses special cameras to create images of the inside of the body. These images can then be used by physicians to help diagnose and treat a variety of diseases.

Nuclear medicine procedures are performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In a diagnostic procedure, a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the body or swallowed. This material then travels to the area of the body being studied and emits gamma rays, which are detected by the camera. The resulting images can show abnormalities such as tumors or blockages.

In a therapeutic procedure, a larger amount of radioactive material is injected into the body or swallowed. The material then collects in the area of the body being treated and emits gamma rays, which destroy the targeted cells. Nuclear medicine procedures are noninvasive and usually cause little or no discomfort.

After the Procedure

After the procedure is completed, the nuclear medicine technologist will take pictures of the area that was injected with the radioisotope. The patient will then be able to leave and go about their day-to-day activities. The radioactivity in the body will naturally decrease over time and will be eliminated through urine and feces. In some cases, a second set of images may be taken a few hours or days after the first set to see if there has been any change in the area that was injected.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Career Outlook

Job prospects for nuclear medicine technologists should be excellent. Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Candidates with certification or those who completed accredited educational programs should have the best job opportunities.

Conclusion

Nuclear medicine technologists are highly skilled professionals who play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They use nuclear imaging techniques to produce images of the body that can be used by physicians to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. Nuclear medicine technologists must be registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and must complete a four-year degree from an accredited program.

What is a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?

Introduction