Locate Nuclear Medicine Technologist, NMT Schools, Training, Jobs, and Careers

What is a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
Sometimes you just know you are sick, but can not quite tell what it is. Even your doctor can be stumped when you describe it to him or her. This is where nuclear medicine technologists (NMTs) come in.

Nuclear medicine technology is one method used to diagnose illness. The NMT will use radiopharmaceutical (radioactive materials) to detect and treat all kinds of disease. The job of these technologists involve doing things like:

1. Explaining the procedure to the patient
2. Reviewing the patient’s medical records
3. Reviewing the doctor’s orders
4. Determining the radiopharmaceutical dosage
5. Determining the dosage delivery method, like oral, inhalation, or intravenous
6. Protecting the patient from overexposure to radioactive materials
7. Administering the radiopharmaceutical test
8. Monitoring the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs where the test in being performed
9. Updating patient’s medical records, like the type and amount of radionuclides used
10. Updating the physician of test results
11. Etc.

The NMT must be comfortable using computers and technical laboratory equipments. The test results and distribution of radioactive materials in the body are monitored with these equipments.

He or she must also be safety conscious. There are strict guidelines for handling radioactive materials.

How to Become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist:
The first thing to do if you want to become an NMT is get a high school diploma or GED. You should take courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, etc. After you meet the above requirement, you then need to apply to a school that has nuclear medicine technology program.

An NMT program will take you from 12 to 48 months to complete. The length of time will depend on if you are getting a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelors degree in nuclear medicine technology. You should expect to take such courses as:

a. Fundamentals of Nuclear Medicine Technology
b. Nuclear Medicine Methodology
c. Radiation Safety
d. Fundamentals of Exposure
e. Radiopharmacy
f. Physics of Nuclear Medicine
g. Patient Care
h. Etc.

After graduation, some states require that you be registered and licensed. You can do so by taking and passing the certification examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

There is another way you can be licensed and registered. This is through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). Though not necessary, you can get both certifications.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary:
This is another medical assistant career that pays really well. The average salary for an NMT is $63,000 per year. Some make as much as $78,000 per year.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist School:
We have found a school that offers the NMT program. The school is Keiser University. It offers the nuclear medicine technologist program part online and part on campus. You need to check them out. You can do so through this link.

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