Nuclear Medicine Technician Job Description

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.

Nuclear medicine technologists are employed by hospitals, universities, medical clinics, diagnostic labs, and research centers. They work 40 hours a week, which may include evening or weekend hours. They may have to take on some responsibilities on call.

If you are interested in becoming a nuclear medicine technologist, you should take high school courses in math and science. Nuclear medicine technologists need certification or licensure to work. The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists can be used to certify individuals who have completed a nuclear medicine program.

Nuclear medicine technologists are in demand there are good career opportunities. Nuclear medicine technologists are expected to have faster growth than average. Diagnostic procedures, including nuclear medicine testing, will be in demand as the middle-aged and older adult population grows.

Diagnostic use of nuclear medicine will likely increase due to technological advancement. A nuclear medicine technologist with additional training and experience could become a lead technologist. They could move into a management role.

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 Technologists in Western Australia

Nuclear medicine technologists use radioactive materials and equipment to diagnose and treat diseases. They prepare radioactive materials for injection and administer them to patients via injection, ingestion or inhalation, and they have to explain the procedures to patients. Diagnostic equipment and computers are used to analyse the images after the examination is over.

They use radioactive materials to treat diseases and test equipment to make sure they are working. Nuclear medicine technologists work in hospitals, medical laboratories and the diagnostic departments of diagnostic facilities in cities and large regional centres. They work regular hours, but may be called in to help in emergencies.

They need to follow strict safety procedures because they are in contact with radioactive materials. They work with a variety of people, including patients, other radiology professionals, and doctors and nursing staff. Nuclear medicine technologists work with radiopharmaceuticals and other biological tracers.

They use safety equipment like radiation monitoring equipment and laboratory equipment to prepare radiopharmaceuticals. Nuclear medicine technologists in Western Australia need to register with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia. You will need to get a licence from the Radiological Council to operate radiation equipment.