What is a nuclear medicine technologist do?
What is a nuclear medicine technologist do?
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or treatment. They provide technical support to physicians or others who diagnose, care for, and treat patients and to researchers who investigate uses of radioactive drugs.
How long does it take to become a nuclear medicine technologist?
This associate of arts (AA) program typically takes 18 months to complete and combines general education requirements with specialized coursework in basic nuclear medicine science, radiopharmacy, positron emission tomography (PET), and instrumentation.
What does a nuclear medicine technologist do daily?
Nuclear medicine technologists perform tests for diagnosis and medical research. They prepare and give small doses of radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) to patients, then use high-level imaging equipment to record images of the radioactive material in the body.
What are the job opportunities in nuclear medicine?
Careers for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Certified nuclear medicine technologists.
- Isotope technologists.
- Nuclear cardiology technologists.
- Nuclear medical technologists.
- PET technologists.
- Positron emission tomography technologists.
- Radioisotope technologists.
- Registered nuclear medicine technologists.
Is a nuclear medicine technologist a doctor?
Nuclear medicine radiologists, also called nuclear radiologists, are physicians who use radioactive materials, called radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and treat disease. They employ such techniques as scintigraphy, which uses radiopharmaceuticals to produce images of the body’s organs or to visualize certain diseases.
Is nuclear medicine technologist safe?
Radiation safety is the main health issue of concern to a nuclear medicine technologist (NMT). Ionizing radiation is a known carcinogen at high doses, and clinical symptoms are known to be associated with chronic low-dose exposure. At doses greater than 7 Gy (700 rads), everyone irradiated would develop cataracts.
Is nuclear medicine technologist a stressful job?
In comparison to other jobs in the health care field, nuclear medicine technologists have a pretty good work-life balance. Woiwode says her job can be stressful because sometimes her patients are really sick.
Is becoming a nuclear medicine technologist hard?
How hard is it. You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. For example, an electrician must complete three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Is nuclear medicine expensive?
Nuclear medicine supplies the most useful diagnostic or treatment information for many diseases. A nuclear medicine scan is less expensive and may yield more precise information than exploratory surgery.
What degree do I need to be a nuclear medicine technologist?
In order to begin a career as a nuclear medicine technologist, students must earn, at a minimum, an associate of applied science (AAS) degree.
Is it safe to be a nuclear medicine technologist?
Nuclear medicine procedures are safe, they involve little or no patient discomfort and do not require the use of anesthesia. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist is a highly specialized healthcare professional who works closely with the nuclear medicine physician.
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make?
How Much Does a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Make? Nuclear Medicine Technologists made a median salary of $77,950 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $93,370 that year, while the lowest-paid 25…
How to become a nuclear medicine technologist (NMT)?
Understand the job description and responsibilities of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. What does a Nuclear Medicine Technologist do?