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Career Information
Nuclear Medicine Technologists work closely with the imaging physician to diagnose and treat disease. Nuclear medicine technology combines chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and medicine in using radioactivity to diagnose and treat disease. Though there are many diagnostic techniques currently available, nuclear medicine uniquely provides information about both the structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body. It is this ability to characterize and quantify physiologic function which separates nuclear medicine from other imaging modalities, such as x-ray. Nuclear Medicine procedures are safe; they involve little or no patient discomfort and do not require the use of anesthesia.
The Department of Medical Laboratory, Imaging, and Radiologic Sciences offers three pathways into the bachelor of science in radiologic sciences degree program with a major in nuclear medicine technology.
Pathway 1. College students with no previous healthcare credentials may transfer 60 semester hours of liberal arts courses (junior transfer)
Pathway 2. Credentialed Nuclear Medicine Technologists certified in Nuclear Medicine Technology may obtain advanced professional studies culminating in a BSRS degree (degree completion program)
Pathway 3. Individuals who have completed the Nuclear Medicine Technology curriculum through the Armed forces of the United States, and who possess diplomas of Phase I and Phase II of this training may obtain advanced professional studies culminating in a BSRS degree (military degree completion program)
Following is information for junior transfer students. For information about the degree completions, contact the Office of Academic Admissions.
Professional Tasks and Working Environment
The nuclear medicine technologist aids in diagnosis by producing images or information of the function and structure of body organs using radioactive pharmaceuticals. Responsibilities generally include laboratory preparation, quality control and intravenous administration of radioactive pharmaceuticals; patient preparation and care in positioning for imaging procedures; monitoring operation and quality control of computer-intensive imaging equipment; and monitoring radiation safety equipment and clinical instruments. The nuclear medicine technologist takes an active part in data and image acquisition and in image processing and analysis.
The nuclear medicine technologist may focus on one area, such as nuclear cardiology or nuclear oncology, or may function in the general imaging area. Baccalaureate-level education often leads to specialization in cardiology, management or fusion imaging technology.
About the Program
The Nuclear Medicine Technology B.S.R.S. degree program is a 2+2 transfer program. Sixty credit hours of freshman and sophomore core courses are completed at the college of choice, after which the applicant applies to transfer to the university for the N.M.T. professional component during the junior and senior years.
The programs are flexible to accommodate busy lifestyles. Clinical affiliates are located in Augusta, Athens, Atlanta, Gainesville, and Columbus, Georgia. Academic course work and clinical attendance require 40 hours per week, regardless of locale.
Certification
Graduates are eligible for certification exams of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board and the American Registry of the Radiologic Technologist.
Skills and Interests Suited to a Career in Radiologic Sciences
An individual entering this field should have technical and math/science proficiency, computer literacy, self-motivation, empathy, emotional stability, people skills and a strong work ethic. Graduates work directly with patients to obtain diagnostic information or to treat with ionizing radiation.
Related career interests include nursing, medical technology and other patient contact-related fields.
Career Opportunities
Practice settings include hospitals, outpatient imaging clinics and radiopharmacies. The nuclear medicine program provides clinical and didactic instruction in general nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and nuclear cardiology imaging. As these technologies grow, career opportunities grow as well.
Many nuclear medicine technologists work in cardiology offices or clinics and in P.E.T. imaging centers.
Salary Information
Meadian annual salaries of nuclear medicine technologists were $74,492 in 2013. Nuclear medicine technology salaries have broad regional variation. Meadian salaries in the Southeast were at $62,000 in 2013. Median entry-level salary is $58,614 annually (http://www.nmtcb.org).
Technical Standards
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards. Visit http://www.augusta.edu/alliedhealth/mlirs/nmt/standards.php to review these requirements.
Computer and Internet-Supported Programs
Students must have access to a highspeed (DSL or cable) personal computer. Most student and faculty communication, projects and research require Internet interaction and many lectures are presented online for repeated viewing. Faculty and technical staff are available for technical and instructional support seven days a week.
Financial Aid
The university participates in all federal student aid programs as well as state and private programs. The university helps students fund their education through grants or scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or employment. Scholarships are available to rising seniors. Foreign national students need to contact the admissions department to establish residency.
Distance Programs
Online nuclear medicine programs are offered with clinical education in Athens, Atlanta, Gainesville, and Columbus, Georgia. Contact the Office of Academic Admissions for more information. Students in the distant program meet with faculty at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville once or twice a week, and travel to the Augusta campus three or four times a year for laboratories and advisement.
Accreditation/Review
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970
Chicago, IL 60601-2208
Tel: (312) 553-9355
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Techonology
2000 W. Danforth Rd., Ste 130 #203Edmond, OK 73003
Tel: (405) 285-0546
Fax: (405) 285-0579
Web: www.jrcnmt.org
Admission Requirements
Please see the Office of Academic Admissions website for specific admissions information:
http://www.augusta.edu/alliedhealth/mlirs/nmt/index.php
Estimated Tuition and Fees
For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Financial Information section of this catalog.
BSRS - Nuclear Medicine Technology Curriculum Sequence
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