Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Quick Facts
Median Salary$74,678
Most Common EducationAssociate's degree
Projected 10-Year Growth+37.34%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Nuclear Medicine Technologist performs procedures that use radioactive materials to diagnose and treat illnesses. Works under the supervision of a physician, including physicians that specialize in nuclear medicine, in hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
Core Tasks:
- Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
- Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
- Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
- Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
- Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.
- Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
- Record and process results of procedures.
- Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
- Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
- Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras.
- Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.
- Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
- Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, or radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, or other laboratory equipment.
- Train or supervise student or subordinate nuclear medicine technologists.
What to expect as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
1Earn a Associate's degree
13% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Nuclear Medicine Technologist related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
2396 openings for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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