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 the preparation and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals, the performance of in vivo imaging procedures, instrumentation quality control and the computer analysis of data used by the physician for diagnosis. The NMT works closely with other allied health personnel and professionals within the medical community to provide quality patient care.
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
- 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.
The
U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET website provides helpful information regarding the nuclear medicine technology field of study.
NMI graduates of UF are currently working in a variety of health care settings:
- Medical Centers
- Community Hospitals
- University Teaching Hospitals
- Imaging Centers
- Private Industry
- Government Institutions
- Radiopharmacies
- Radiopharmaceutical Drug Representatives
- Radiopharmaceutical Specialists/Research/Development
- Equipment Sales Representatives
- Equipment/Computer Specialists
NMI graduates have a wide variety of career paths available, such as (please click on the job code following each for additional information):