THE NUCLEAR MEDICNE TECHNOLOGIST PROFESSIONAL who works closely with the nuclear medicine physician,...

1. Nuclear medicine technologist. - Free Online Library
THE NUCLEAR MEDICNE TECHNOLOGIST PROFESSIONAL who works closely with the nuclear
medicine physician, according to the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM). The technologist prepares
and administers radioactive chemical compounds known as radiopharmaceuticals to patients,
performs patient imaging procedures using sophisticated detection instruments, analyzes biologic
specimens in the lab, and provides the images, data analysis and patient information to the
physician.
The Workplace
According to the U.S. Departmcnt of Labor, two-thirds of nuclear medicine technologists work in
hospitals, but SNM notes that they may also work in clinical settings that include outpatient imaging
facilities, public health institutions, and government and private research institutes.
Educational Requirements
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that educational
requirements for the field vary among states, but more than half require certification or licensing.
Certification programs are offered in some hospitals, and there are community and technical
colleges with associate degree programs, as well as four-year institutions offering bachelor's degree
programs.
Earnings
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, median annual earnings of nuclear medicine
technologists were $62,300 in May 2006, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $82,310.
Job Outlook
SNM says new developments in the field and the expanding use of new technology will keep nuclear
medicine in the forefront of modern clinical medicine. The Department of Labor predicts that
employment of nuclear medicine tcchnologists will increase by 15 percent from 2006 to 2016, taster
than the average for all
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Explore More
To learn more about a career as a nuclear medicine technologist and the training and education it
requires, here are some places to turn.
American College of Radiology: www.acr.org
American Society of Radiologic Technologists: www.asrt.org

2. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists: www.arrt.org
Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: www.jrcnmt.org
Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board: www.nmtcb.org
Society of Nuclear Medicine: www.snm.org
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