A Michigan Jobs & Career Portal service.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare, measure, and administer radioisotopes (elements or chemicals that are radioactive) which are used to detect or treat disease.

JOB DUTIES  

Nuclear Medicine Technologists may:

Study the physician's orders to determine the radiopharmaceutical required for testing

Compile information regarding patients' illness and medical history to determine the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy

Prepare stock solutions of radiopharmaceutical and calculate doses

Make calculations for the tests after validating data

Explain the nature of the test to the patient

Position the patient and the machine

Measure glandular activity, trace radioactive doses, and calculate radiation amounts

Determine the quality of radiopharmaceutical received from suppliers

Operate scanning devices to record radiopharmaceutical concentrations in specific body areas

Perform laboratory tests on body specimens

Post test results on forms and send them to the physician for interpretation

Dispose of radioactive waste and store radiopharmaceutical safely

Assist in and/or administer radiation to patients

Calibrate equipment and control inventories

Train and supervise students or subordinate nuclear medicine technologists

Click here to watch Nuclear Medicine Technologists at work.

The equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

078.361-018 NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGISTS prepare, administer, and measure radioisotopes (elements or chemicals that have been subjected to radioactivity) in order to detect and treat disease.

078.131-010 NUCLEAR MEDICINE CHIEF TECHNOLOGISTS supervise and coordinate the activities of Nuclear Medicine Technologists, engaged in preparing, administering and measuring radiopharmaceutical in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies.

078.361-034 RADIATION-THERAPY TECHNOLOGISTS operate radiation therapy equipment to treat patients with prescribed doses of ionizing radiation.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Nuclear Medicine Technologists are supervised by the Nuclear Medicine Chief Technologist or the Nuclear Medicine Physician. Technologists usually work alone when operating equipment or conducting laboratory tests. They may sometimes work with physicians in the operating room when therapeutic administrations of isotopes are being given. Work is performed in a specialized laboratory or other hospital or clinical settings. Laboratories are generally well lighted and clean.

There is a hazard of exposure to radiation while preparing doses and while handling body products containing radioactive isotopes. Technologists use protective lead shielding and follow rigid laboratory techniques to minimize the hazards. Specially designed film badges are worn by all personnel to measure radiation exposure. Workers wear disposable gloves and use metal tongs when preparing isotope doses.

Technologists generally work a 40-hour week. In hospitals, they can expect some night and weekend duty. Some may have on-call hours. Opportunities for part-time work are also available.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists may belong to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists or the Society of Nuclear Medicine. Members generally pay periodic membership fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities involving direct personal contact to help people

• Activities resulting in satisfaction from working on/producing things

You Should Be Able To:

• See differences in forms, shapes, and shadings

• Communicate with patients to calm their fear of tests

• Use arithmetic quickly and accurately to calculate test results

• Make decisions based on standards which can be measured or checked

• Use logical step-by-step procedures in your work

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a patient's heart beats 16 times in 15 seconds, what is the heart rate for a minute?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. It kills nearly 40,000 American women each year.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the results of any tests that you might do.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to hook up different patients to various testing machinery.

At present, certification of Nuclear Medicine Technologists is not mandatory. However, most hospitals require certification or eligibility for certification. Associations offering certification include the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board of the Society of Nuclear Medicine.

Applicants for certification must have an acceptable combination of education and experience, which may include: A high school diploma plus 6 years of professional experience; registration as a medical or radiologic technologist plus one year of professional experience; or completion of an approved nuclear medicine technology program. Applicants may also have to pass a written exam.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one years of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH, 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this CAREER EXPLORATION Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

116 NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology provide opportunities to gain the skills and knowledge needed in the use of radioactive drugs for diagnoses, treatment, and research in medicine. Technologists work primarily in hospitals and clinics.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

149 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

Radiologic Technology programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment in hospitals and clinics taking and processing X-ray photographs of patients for doctors and other medical specialists. Courses vary from school to school but may include:

      Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this CAREER EXPLORATION Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at  Todaysmilitary.com.

RADIOLOGIC (X-RAY) TECHNICIANS

Radiology (the use of X-rays) is a health care service provided to men and women in the military. X-ray photographs help doctors detect injuries and illnesses. Radiology is also used to treat some diseases, such as cancer. Radiologic technicians operate X-ray and related equipment used in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases. They work as part of a medical team of doctors and specialists to provide health care to patients.

What They Do

Radiologic technicians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Read requests or instructions from doctors to determine each patient's X-ray needs

• Position patients under radiologic equipment

• Adjust X-ray equipment to the correct time and power of exposure

• Process X-ray pictures

• Prepare and administer radioactive solutions to patients

• Keep records of patient treatment

Work Environment

Radiologic technicians work in hospitals and clinics. In combat situations, they may work in mobile field hospitals. They follow strict safety procedures to minimize exposure to radiation.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 12 to 19 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in radiologic equipment. Extensive on-the-job training is also provided. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Operation of X-ray equipment

• Radioactive isotope therapy

• X-ray film processing

• Anatomy and physiology

Additional training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include algebra, biology, and other science courses. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in activities requiring accuracy and attention to detail

• Ability to follow strict standards and procedures

• Interest in helping others

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian radiologic technicians work in hospitals, diagnostic clinics, and medical laboratories. They perform duties similar to military radiologic technicians. They may specialize in various areas of radiology and may be called X-ray technologists or nuclear medical technologists.

Opportunities

The military need new technicians each year. After job training, technicians start taking routine X-rays. With experience, they may specialize in nuclear medicine and administer radiation and radioisotopic treatment and therapy. In time, they may advance to become supervisors of radiologic units.   

 E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Experience may be gained by first becoming a nuclear medical technician who assists the Technologist and needs less formal training. Some branches of the military provide training in this field. Postsecondary nuclear medicine technology programs also provide experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

Mentorships

Job shadowing experiences

Touring a local Nuclear Medicine Technologist employer

Internships

Volunteer work with a Nuclear Medicine Technologist employer

Community service work with an agency

To find a job as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, apply directly to hospitals, clinics, public health institutions, or civil service offices. College placement offices and professional associations may provide assistance. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as: 

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings of Nuclear Medicine Technologists vary by employer, education, experience, certification, and location. In general, those employed in the Midwest and in urban areas receive the highest salaries.

Nationally, annual salaries early 2009 of most Nuclear Medicine Technologists employed by hospitals and related institutions were between $58,900 and $68,800, with an average of $63,100.   The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $37,544 in 2008.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists working for federal VA Hospitals earned from $43,244 per year to $80,913 per year in 2009.  The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

In Michigan hospitals, annual salaries (late 2008) of Nuclear Medicine Technologists were:

Most Nuclear Medicine Technologists receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; a retirement plan; and sick pay. Technologists working in hospitals may also receive dental and optical insurance.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists may advance to supervisor or chief radiologic technologist. Advancement depends on a combination of ability, experience, certification, and additional education in one of the biological sciences or chemistry.  

                                                EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 19,900 Nuclear Medicine Technologists employed in 2006. Employment is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016 as physicians make wider use of laboratory tests in the treatment of disease. The industry distribution for Nuclear Medicine Technologists looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

 Advances in medical diagnostics are also likely to lead to new applications of nuclear medicine. The demand for Nuclear Medicine Technologists exceeds the supply of qualified individuals in some areas of the country.

There are about 1,200 Nuclear Medicine Technologists employed in Michigan. Most are employed by large hospitals and independent nuclear medicine clinics. Others are employed by federal and local government agencies in research clinics and by physicians in private practice.  

Employment of Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Michigan is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. An average of 35 annual openings is expected, with 20 due to growth and 15 due to replacement. About 116 of the community hospitals in Michigan have diagnostic radioisotope facilities. Nearly 39% of these facilities are located in the Detroit area. An aging population and increased life expectancy will result in a greater demand for the diagnostic services performed by Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

In general, the aged tend to suffer more from chronic diseases and physical impairment. Opportunities will be best for highly trained Technologists, especially those with some expertise in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOY MENT OUT LOOK TO 2016

[back to top]

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFO RMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

 Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth