Nuclear medicine technology is a paramedical field concerned with the use of radioactive materials, primarily for the diagnosis of various pathological disease states and, secondarily, for the treatment of some specialized disorders.
While at the University of Findlay, students enroll in the appropriate courses to meet degree requirements and to meet the entrance requirements for the Nuclear Medicine Institute program. Strong faculty advising and program flexibility are key components of UF’s health professions programs. Students are advised thoroughly on all academic options throughout their tenure at UF.
An NMT is required to have a background check and/or drug screen.
What does a nuclear medicine technologist do?
A nuclear medicine technologist (NMT) is a highly-trained individual who has a solid background in mathematics and the physical, chemical and biological sciences. Under the supervision of a physician, the NMT is responsible for radiation safety, quality control, preparing and administering the radiopharmaceuticals, performing imaging procedures, collecting and preparing biological specimens, performing special laboratory procedures and preparing data for interpretation by a physician.
The NMT works closely with other allied health personnel and professionals within the medical community to provide quality patient care.
Job Outlook
As reported by the
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), nuclear medicine offers procedures that are essential in many medical specialties, from pediatrics to cardiology to psychiatry. New and innovative nuclear medicine treatments that target and pinpoint molecular levels within the body are revolutionizing our understanding of and approach to a range of diseases and conditions.
The
SNMMI also states that nuclear medicine will continue to be a field at the forefront of modern clinical medicine and technological development. The future has never been brighter thanks to:
- The development of new radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
- Promising research and development of cancer-detecting and cancer-killing agents, such as genetically engineered antibodies
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The expanding clinical use of exciting new technology known as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Positron Coincidence Detection (PCD), which provide new and unique means of studying biochemistry and metabolism within living tissues.
Traits, abilities and/or skills that a nuclear medicine technologist should possess include being able to:
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Demonstrate normal or corrected hearing so that the technologist can hear a patient calling for assistance or speaking softly when there is a lot of background noise.
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Be compassionate and/or sympathetic.
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Act professionally at all times with a high level of integrity and tact.
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Be a hard worker who is responsible and dependable and can be part of a very active team that works well under pressure.
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Be detail oriented.
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Work at a computer monitor for long periods of time.
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Manipulate small objects, perform venipuncture, perform patient imaging and handle radioactive material.
- Have the manual dexterity to perform procedures.
- Work with a patient population without any judgments regarding the patient's traits or history.
- Lift, transfer and/or move patients and/or heavy equipment and have the ability to stand, sit or walk for long periods of time.
- See with normal or corrected vision in order to discriminate among various shades and colors and be able to see objects up close and from a distance.