Nuclear Medicine Tech Job Description
Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Radioactive Drugs in Nuclear Medicine, The Role of Technical Skills in the Job Description and Employment Opportunities for Nuclear Medicine Techs and more about nuclear medicine tech job. Get more data about nuclear medicine tech job for your career planning.
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Radioactive Drugs in Nuclear Medicine
- The Role of Technical Skills in the Job Description and Employment Opportunities for Nuclear Medicine Techs
- A State-Obtained License for Nuclear Medicine Technicians
- The Need for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Nuclear Medicine Tech
- Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear Med Techs are responsible for providing patients with radioactive medication and operating technology to track the radiation within the patient's body. Their duties include sterilizing needles, preparing patients for a Scan and processing image reports that show the presence of disease. Nuclear Medicine technologists and Nuclear Medicine phyicians work together to look for potential problems in a patient's internal organs, bones and muscles.
They give radioactive medication to patients through injection, inhalation oral administration, which allows the radiation to be used to see infections, tumors or signs of an internal disorder. Nuclear Medicine Technologists use technology to take pictures for the Physician. They are in charge of implementing safety procedures to protect patients and medical staff from unnecessary exposure to radiation.
A Nuclear Medicine Technologist position requires a minimum of an associate degree in nuclear medicine, but many employers prefer people with a bachelor's degree. Some candidates can become qualified for the position by combining a 12 month certification program in nuclear medicine technology with an associate or bachelor's degree program in a health field. Nuclear Medicine Technologists are not required to be licensed, but they do have to get some sort of certification.
Employers often require candidates to be certified regardless of state regulations. Nuclear Medicine Technologists and Radiologists work with different types of equipment, but they both have the same specialty. Nuclear Medicine Technologists help patients get scans with equipment that will help the Doctor see potential problems.
x-rays are used to diagnose disease by radiologists. Nuclear Medicine Technologists are not Doctors but have a technical certification from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare the treatment room before patients arrive, adjusting the temperature and humidity before running quality control tests on the scanner.
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Radioactive Drugs in Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine technologists use equipment to create images of a patient's body. They prepare and administer drugs. The radioactive drugs cause abnormal areas of the body to appear in the images.
The Role of Technical Skills in the Job Description and Employment Opportunities for Nuclear Medicine Techs
The BLS says that 80% of people earned between $91,970 and $49,130 in 2010. The BLS states that the outlook and future demand of a nuclear medicine tech is good and will grow 19 percent by 2020. Technical skills play a large part in the position of a nuc med tech.
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Nuclear medicine technologists are also involved in trying to defeat diseases. You will be on the front lines of the fight against life threatening illnesses. Nuclear medicine technologists look into the cellular function and physiology of a patient, rather than just viewing the images of the body.
A State-Obtained License for Nuclear Medicine Technicians
NMT majors take a lot of classes. They study the uses and effects of radiation techniques, safety procedures, the administration of radiopharmaceuticals, diagnostic images, and the use of computers and other medical equipment. If you are planning to enter the field, you should check the websites of the medical-licensing boards in your state to see if a state-issued license is required. Some states have passed laws that require Nuclear Medicine Technology graduates to get credentials.
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The Need for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear medicine technologists need an associate's degree from an accredited program. Nuclear medicine technology and related healthcare fields can lead to a certificate, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree. Nuclear medicine technologists must be licensed.
Over the next decade, about 1,500 openings for nuclear medicine technologists are projected. Many openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire. Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and give drugs to patients.
They provide technical support to doctors who diagnose, care for, and treat patients and to researchers who investigate uses of radioactive drugs. They may act as emergency responders in the event of a nuclear disaster. Nuclear medicine technologists use radioactive drugs to help diagnose patients.
They may inject radiopharmaceuticals into a patient with foot pain and use special scanning equipment that captures images of the bones, and a radiologist interprets the scans to identify the source of the patient's pain. Nuclear medicine technologists deliver radiopharmaceuticals to tumors to treat medical conditions. Internal radiation treatment can be used in conjunction with surgery.
Nuclear medicine technologists are usually full time. Nuclear medicine technologists work odd hours. They may be on call if they work in hospitals.
Nuclear Medicine Tech
Nuclear medicine technologists are highly trained and specialized. They use radioactive chemical compounds and specialized equipment to help diagnose and treat disease. Nuclear medicine provides information about the structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body, according to the Society of Nuclear Medicine.
Nuclear medicine technology can detect disease or complications based on metabolism or biological changes. Nuclear medicine tech send appropriate radiopharmaceuticals to an injured or sick organ. Nuclear medicine technologists have a job description that includes patient care.
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Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
NMTs are required to be licensed in 30 states by 2020. Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board provides a table of exams, continuing education requirements, and agency contact information for each region. Employers prefer certification even though it isn't required by the state.
Nuclear medicine technicians must be licensed to practice in 30 states. Most states consider current NMTCB certification to be valid for licensure. To be prepared for job searches, all aspiring NMTs are encouraged to research the state licensure requirements for where they plan to work.
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