Nuclear Medicine Technology

Nuclear Medicine is the medical specialty that utilizes the nuclear properties of radioactive and stable nuclides to make diagnostic evaluations of the anatomic and/or physiologic conditions of the body and to provide therapy with unsealed radioactive sources.

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist is an allied health professional who, under the direction of an authorized user, is committed to applying the art and skill of diagnostic evaluation and therapeutics through safe and effective use of radionuclides. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, patient interviews and instruction, preparation, quality control testing, and administration of radioactive compounds, execution of patient imaging procedures including computer processing and image enhancement, laboratory testing, patient preparation for radioactive compounds and preparation and administration of prescribed radioactive compounds for therapy, quality control, and radiation safety.

Our program is an intense and comprehensive one year program of study. It is a combination of academic course work and clinical training. This is a full time program of study entailing 40 hours per week.

This component of our program actually happens in the patient care areas. The students will have tremendous opportunities to perform nuclear medicine examinations on patients under the direct supervision of registered and/or certified technologists. This aspect of our program is vital to the area of teaching proper patient care skills and the proper method of positioning the patient. The radiopharmacy component occurs at three different radiopharmacies with registered nuclear pharmacists. This is the actual “hands on portion of the program”.

As a registered and/or certified nuclear medicine technologist, you will have a variety of areas you will be able to work in. They are the hospital, outpatient imaging centers, doctor’s offices, radiopharmacies and mobile companies. Some graduates expand into sales, application specialists and teaching.

Upon graduation, you will take the national credentialing board exam. One is given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and the other by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. Passing this examination will give you the status of “registered” and/or “certified”. Many states though, will require you to take an additional examination called a “licensing examination”. This proves you are indeed qualified and competent in the nuclear medicine field.

Enclosed you will find a copy of our information packet. We can send you an application. You may also obtain an application from the Admissions Office at both Airport and Beltline Campus. You can review a video tape about our profession at the Student Center Building on Airport Campus. You will also find a copy of our Policy and Procedure Manual for your review. Once you meet the acceptance requirements, you will be asked to attend two observations. These observations are for you to see what we do on a daily basis. During these observations you will have opportunities to speak with several radiography students. We feel this is the best way for you to experience our profession and see if it is right for you! Prior to acceptance into our program you will sit for an interview with our interview committee.

Successful students are those who want to help people, enjoy a rapidly changing environment, can adapt to changing technology, can think and respond quickly to changing situations and can tolerate the stress of being a member of the health care team.

So give us a call or make an appointment with counseling services to view the video tape. We look forward to talking with you. Please call us at 803-822-3491!!!!

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program of Midlands Technical College upholds the College policy relating to non-discrimination:

Admission, employment, programs and activities of Midlands Technical College are

non-discriminatory in regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, handicap, and national origin.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program further delineates Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended:

No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States as defined in Section 7(6), shall, solely by reason of his handicap be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance.

However, a Nuclear Medicine Technology student must possess motor and visual skills that would enable him/her to meet program objectives and perform job duties required in the profession. Specifically, the students:

1. Must have sufficient hearing ability in order to respond appropriately to patients, physicians, and co-workers.

2. Must be able communicate verbally and in writing in order to respond to patients, physicians, and co-workers.

3. Must be physically able to transfer patients to and from wheelchairs or stretchers to a nuclear medicine imaging table or hospital bed.

4. Must have sufficient visual acuity in order to perform in semi-dark conditions required by some specialized nuclear medicine and darkroom processing procedures.

5. Must have sufficient manual dexterity to allow them to handle small objects such as syringes and needles.

6. Must be able to complete tasks/examinations within required time limits in the laboratory and in the clinical areas.

7. Must demonstrate emotional health required for utilization of intellectual abilities and exercise of good judgement.

Prior to applying to the program, or if you have already applied, please view the career video tape on Nuclear Medicine Technology. Report to room 237 in the Student Center located behind the Academic Center on Airport Campus and request permission to view the tape. It is only 10-12 minutes long, but should give you a brief overview of the profession in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Also on file for your review and consideration is the program’s Policy and Procedure manual. The manual contains specific information regarding dress codes, attendance policies, clinical grading, clinical suspension and other pertinent policies. There will be a form for you to sign indicating you have seen the video tape and reviewed the Policy and Procedure manual. Please place the form in the attached envelope and give it to the receptionist to mail to the Radiologic Sciences program. This form will be placed in your file. Please take an information packet for your use, but PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE the Policy and Procedure manual from the room.