Nuclear Medicine Technology

Overview

Nuclear Medicine Technologists administer radioactive materials to patients using cutting-edge imaging technology to create diagnostic images. These technologists work in hospitals and doctors’ offices. MTC graduates can complete the credentialing exam to become a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologists (CNMT).

The Nuclear Medicine Certificate is an advanced certificate and requires entering students to have already completed prior college Health Sciences and/or science coursework. Because this program is an advanced certificate, it is strongly recommended that interested students meet with a Nuclear Medicine Technology program faculty and/or Health Sciences advisor early in their matriculation at Midlands Technical College. Nuclear medicine technologists are trained in the safe handling and application of radioactive materials for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the medical field. The applied skills of nuclear medicine technologists complement nuclear medicine physicians by providing clinical information pertinent to patient diagnosis and treatment.

The Nuclear Medicine Certificate program is a full-time program. Admission is limited to those who meet the specific admissions criteria. The certificate program begins each fall semester and ends with the summer semester. Students will receive clinical education in affiliated hospitals’ nuclear medicine departments. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites that may include Columbia, Florence, Spartanburg, and Greenville. Didactic instruction is given at the Health Science facility located on the Airport Campus.

Learning experiences for students in the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate Program are provided in classrooms and laboratories on the Airport Campus in the Health Sciences Building. Required clinical experiences (externships/internships) are arranged through affiliations with local healthcare facilities.

Accreditation

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology and graduates are eligible to take the ARRT and the NMTCB examinations. Graduate achievement data is an indicator of program effectiveness, demonstrating the extent to which a program achieves its goals.

Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
820 W. Danforth Road, #B1
Edmond, OK 73003
Visit the JRCNMT website

Graduate Achievement

The current report on graduate achievement data, identified by program, is available on the JRCNMT website by clicking on the following link: Graduate Achievement Report.

Interview Eligibility Criteria

In addition to general Health Sciences Program requirements, specific requirements for attaining interview eligibility status for the NMT program include:

  • Bachelor’s Degree, with MTC’s prerequisites for Associate in Applied Science in General Technology (AAS-GEN-NMT), with a cumulative ≥ 2.75. OR
  • Associate Degree, with MTC’s prerequisites for Associate in Applied Science in General Technology (AAS-GEN-NMT), with a cumulative ≥ 2.75. OR​
  • AAS degree in progress, with MTC’s prerequisites for Associate in Applied Science in General Technology/Health Care (AAS.GEN.NMT), with a cumulative ≥ 2.75.​
Admission Criteria
  • Attend an information session.
  • Perform two clinical observations.
  • Successfully complete formal interview

Complete all prerequisites and all coursework within the required AAS.GEN.NMT degrees, as assigned by the nuclear medicine technology faculty and/or health science advisor. Each course must be completed with at least a “C.” An overall GPA of 2.75 must be maintained in the prescribed coursework. No prerequisite AAS.GEN.NMT course may be repeated more than once; no more than two courses may be repeated.  

Prerequisite General Education Courses

Course Credit Hours
AHS 102 - Medical Terminology 3.0
COL 106 - Skills for College Success 1.0
BIO 210 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4.0
BIO 211 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4.0
NMT 100 - Preparation for Clinic 6.0
CHM 110 - College Chemistry I 4.0
OR  
CHM 105 - General Organic and Biochemistry 4.0
ENG 160 - Technical Communications 3.0
MAT 110 - College Algebra 3.0
PSY 201 - General Psychology 3.0
PHI 115 - Contemporary Moral Issues 3.0
RAD 104 - Introduction to Physics 1.0
OR  
PHY 201 - Physics I 4.0

Recommended Additional Courses

Course Credit Hour
AHS 117 - The Care of Patients 4.0
OR  
AHS 127 - Basic Patient Care 3.0
AHS 131 - Computers in Healthcare 3.0
AHS 141 - Phlebotomy 3.0
AHS 145 - Electrocardiography 2.0
AHS 156 - Electrocardiography Practicum 1.0

 

Clinical Requirements

Students are accepted contingent upon successful completion of the health form, criminal background investigation, and drug screening.

Students must present BLS CPR certification (adult, infant, and child) and first-aid certification cards at the time of advisement before entering their first nuclear medicine course. The CPR certification must be kept current while in the program. Students who are not certified radiologic technologists will be required to complete NMT 100–Preparation for Clinic during the summer semester prior to beginning professional courses.

In order to graduate from the NMT program, students must complete each course with at least a “C.” No courses having an NMT prefix may be repeated.

How to Enroll

To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.

Apply Now

Questions?

Print Plan

Sample Program Plan and Costs

On-Campus Traditional. Classes meet on campus.
Virtual 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom.
Hybrid Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual.
Online 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time.
Semester Course ID Course Title Classroom Online Hybrid Virtual Credits
Semester 1
(14 Credit Hours)
NMT-101 Introduction to Nuclear Medicine

Introduction to Nuclear Medicine

ID: NMT-101

Credit Hours: 2

This course is a study of the overall basics of nuclear medicine technology. This course includes patient care, ethics, medical-legal issues and the history of nuclear medicine.

2
NMT-102 Nuclear Medicine Procedures I

Nuclear Medicine Procedures I

ID: NMT-102

Credit Hours: 2

This course is a study of didactic concepts for the practice of clinical nuclear medicine. Topics include: nuclear cardiology, ventilation and perfusion lung imaging, skeletal imaging, liver and hepatobiliary imaging.

2
NMT-103 Nuclear Medicine Physics

Nuclear Medicine Physics

ID: NMT-103

Credit Hours: 2

This course is a study of the basic math and statistical skills necessary to perform nuclear physics problems.

2
NMT-150 Applied Nuclear Medicine I

Applied Nuclear Medicine I

ID: NMT-150

Credit Hours: 8

This course covers the application of nuclear medicine.

8
Semester 2
(15 Credit Hours)
NMT-104 Nuclear Medicine Procedures II

Nuclear Medicine Procedures II

ID: NMT-104

Credit Hours: 2

This course is a study of background knowledge for application of nuclear medicine procedures. Topics include: edocrinology, renal imaging, infection and tumor imaging.

2
NMT-105 Quality Assurance Methodology

Quality Assurance Methodology

ID: NMT-105

Credit Hours: 2

This course covers the information necessary to plan and implement procedures that will satisfy quality assurance standards. Topics covered include radioplarnacy and quality management.

2
NMT-107 Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation

Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation

ID: NMT-107

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers the theory and application of radiation detection instruments. Topics include quality assurance and methodology nuclear medicine equipment.

3
NMT-151 Applied Nuclear Medicine II

Applied Nuclear Medicine II

ID: NMT-151

Credit Hours: 8

This course covers difficult and challenging clinical application of nuclear medicine theory.

8
Semester 3
(10 Credit Hours)
NMT-106 Nuclear Medicine Procedures III

Nuclear Medicine Procedures III

ID: NMT-106

Credit Hours: 2

This course covers theory and principles of non-imaging procedures.

2
NMT-109 Special Topics in Nuclear Medicine

Special Topics in Nuclear Medicine

ID: NMT-109

Credit Hours: 2

This course covers a variety of special topics in nuclear medicine. This course includes registry preparation.

2
NMT-152 Applied Nuclear Medicine III

Applied Nuclear Medicine III

ID: NMT-152

Credit Hours: 6

This course covers challenging and difficult application of nuclear medicine theory.

6
  Total Credit Hours 39
  Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
$7,332.00
Not including fees and equipment

Careers

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists are trained in the safe handling and application of radioactive materials for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the medical field. The applied skills of nuclear medicine technologists complement nuclear medicine physicians by providing clinical information pertinent to patient diagnosis and treatment.

Average Annual Salary

$75,554
According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

  • Hospitals
  • Medical Clinics

Careers

Positron Emission Tomography Technologist

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) involves the use of an imaging device (PET scanner) and a radiotracer that is injected into the patient’s bloodstream. Once the imaging agent is introduced into the body, it accumulates in a target organ or attaches to specific cells. The technologist uses the PET scanner to create three-dimensional images that show how the FDG is distributed in the area of the body that provides important information on cellular activity.

Average Annual Salary

$59.639
According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

  • Diagnostic Imaging Providers
  • Hospitals
  • Medical Clinics

What’s next after I complete this program?

Become a Computed Tomography Technologist

Computed tomography (CT) can be an exciting and fulfilling career. As CT technologists, graduates have the opportunity to work in a hospital or an imaging center. CT Technologists will perform scans on all parts of the body for a variety of reasons. Some patients need imaging to diagnose a disease or an acute condition. Others need CT scans in emergencies, so physicians can understand the extent of injuries. While CT technologists perform the procedures, the skills and confidence learned at MTC will be critical to balance image quality with radiation dose. CT technologists will also help inform and calm nervous patients.

Become a General or Cardiovascular Sonographer

Sonography (ultrasound) is a non-invasive diagnostic medical imaging procedure that is used to visualize organs or systems in the body. It is commonly used to monitor fetal growth and understand the health of the heart, the abdomen, and the vascular and musculoskeletal systems. Sonographers work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient centers.

Want more information?

Academic programs count as academic credit for a certificate, diploma or degree and may transfer toward future academic endeavors at four-year colleges and universities.
Training programs can be completed in a matter of weeks or months, are focused on career training, and provide credentials and certificates needed in the specific fields of study. Coursework does not transfer.
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