Nuclear Medicine Technology
One Year Advanced Certificate Program
Send E-mail inquiries to: smithfm@midlandstech.edu
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
WHAT IS NUCLEAR MEDICINE?
Nuclear Medicine is the medical specialty that utilizes the nuclear
properties of radioactive and stable nuclides to make diagnostic evaluations of
the anatomic and/or physiologic conditions of the body and to provide therapy
with unsealed radioactive sources.
The Nuclear Medicine Technologist is an allied health professional who,
under the direction of an authorized user, is committed to applying the art and
skill of diagnostic evaluation and therapeutics through safe and effective use
of radionuclides. Responsibilities
include, but are not limited to, patient interviews and instruction,
preparation, quality control testing, and administration of radioactive
compounds, execution of patient imaging procedures including computer processing
and image enhancement, laboratory testing, patient preparation for radioactive compounds and preparation and administration
of prescribed radioactive compounds for therapy, quality control, and radiation
safety.
WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING IS NEEDED?
Our program is an intense
and comprehensive one year program of study.
It is a combination of academic course work and clinical training.
This is a full time program of study entailing 40 hours per week.
WHAT EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND IS NEEDED?
There are three ways to qualify for an interview:
Certification or registry eligibility in Radiologic Technology,
Medical Technology or Nursing; and an Associate Degree
With the required courses taken.
OR
OR
60 hours of appropriate college courses including Algebra, Chemistry,
Medical Terminology, Computer, and Human Anatomy and Physiology.
WHAT IS CLINICAL TRAINING?
This
component of our program actually happens in the patient care areas.
The students will have tremendous opportunities to perform nuclear
medicine examinations on patients under the direct supervision of registered
and/or certified technologists. This
aspect of our program is vital to the area of teaching proper patient care
skills and the proper method of positioning the patient.
The radiopharmacy component occurs at three different radiopharmacies
with registered nuclear pharmacists. This
is the actual “hands on portion of the program”.
WHERE DOES CLINICAL TRAINING TAKE PLACE?
We are very fortunate to have the following facilities as our clinical
sites:
Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital
Lexington Medical Center
Providence Hospital
Palmetto Baptist Medical Center
Syncor International, Inc.
Cosource Nuclear Pharmacy
AFTER I GRADUATE, WHERE WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK?
As a registered and/or certified nuclear medicine technologist, you will
have a variety of areas you will be able to work in.
They are the hospital, outpatient imaging centers, doctor’s offices, radiopharmacies
and mobile companies. Some
graduates expand into sales, application specialists and teaching.
HOW DO I BECOME ‘REGISTERED”?
Upon graduation, you will take the national credentialing board exam. One is given by the American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists, and the other by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification
Board. Passing this
examination will give you the status of “registered” and/or “certified”. Many states though, will require you to take an
additional examination called a “licensing examination”.
This proves you are indeed qualified
and competent in the nuclear medicine field.
You
may obtain an application from the Admissions Office at both Airport and
Beltline Campus or online at www.midlandstech.com/edu/sds/adm/admiss.html. You can review a
video about our profession at the Student Center Building on Airport
Campus. You will also find a copy
of our Policy and Procedure Manual for your review.
Once you meet the acceptance requirements, you will be asked to attend
two observations. These
observations are for you to see what we do on a daily basis.
During these observations you will have opportunities to speak with
several nuclear medicine students. We
feel this is the best way for you to experience our profession and see if it is
right for you! Prior to acceptance
into our program you will sit for an interview with our interview committee.
Successful students are those who want to help people, enjoy a rapidly
changing environment, can adapt to changing technology, can think and respond
quickly to changing situations and can tolerate the stress of being a member of
the health care team.
Return to Nuclear Medicine Home
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Admission, employment, programs and activities of Midlands Technical College are non-discriminatory in regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, handicap, and national origin.
No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States as defined in Section 7(6), shall, solely by reason of his handicap be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance.
However, a Nuclear Medicine Technology student must possess motor and visual skills that would enable him/her to meet program objectives and perform job duties required in the profession. Specifically, the students:
Must have sufficient hearing ability in order to respond appropriately to patients, physicians, and co-workers.
Must be able communicate verbally and in writing in order to respond to patients, physicians, and co-workers.
Must be physically able to transfer patients to and from wheelchairs or stretchers to a nuclear medicine imaging table or hospital bed.
Must have sufficient visual acuity in order to perform in semi-dark conditions required by some specialized nuclear medicine and darkroom processing procedures.
Must have sufficient manual dexterity to allow them to handle small objects such as syringes and needles
Must be able to complete tasks/examinations within required time limits in the laboratory and in the clinical areas.
Must demonstrate emotional health required for utilization of intellectual abilities and exercise of good judgment.
OUTCOMES FOR MTCs NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Upon successful completion of the MTCs Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, students will:
1. possess the knowledge, clinical skills, and proper affective behavior needed for an entry-level nuclear medicine technologist
2. be able to problem solve, communicate effectively and utilize critical thinking skills
3. be professionally minded to value life-long learning opportunities
4. function as competent entry-level nuclear medicine technologists.
Prior to applying to the program, or if you have already applied, please view the career video on Nuclear Medicine Technology. Report to room 237 in the Student Center located behind the Academic Center on Airport Campus and request permission to view the video. It is only 10-12 minutes long, but should give you a brief overview of the profession in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Also on file for your review and consideration is the program’s Policy and Procedure manual. The manual contains specific information regarding dress codes, attendance policies, clinical grading, clinical suspension and other pertinent policies. There will be a form for you to sign indicating you have seen the video and reviewed the Policy and Procedure manual. Please place the form in the attached envelope and give it to the receptionist to mail to the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Program. This form will be placed in your file. Please take an information packet for your use, but PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE the Policy and Procedure manual from the room.