Career Details :: Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Description
Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies utilizing a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.
Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks
- Administers radiopharmaceuticals or radiation to patient to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of physician.
- Calculates, measures, prepares, and records radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals, using computer and following physician's prescription and x-rays.
- Measures glandular activity, blood volume, red-cell survival, and radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, and other laboratory equipment.
- Maintains and calibrates radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
- Disposes of radioactive materials and stores radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
- Develops treatment procedures for nuclear medicine treatment programs.
- Positions radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to develop most effective treatment of patient's disease, using computer.
Related Careers
- Anesthesiologists
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- Dental Hygienists
- Optometrists
- Physician Assistants
- Radiation Therapists
- Radiologic Technicians
- Radiologic Technologists
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Processing Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Analyzing Data or Information
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Radiation
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Medical Radiography |  [ add ] |
| Nuclear Medical Technology | [ add ] |
| Nuclear Medicine | [ add ] |
| Nuclear Medicine Science | [ add ] |
| Nuclear Medicine Technology | [ add ] |
| Radiation Therapy | [ add ] |
| Radiation Therapy Technology | [ add ] |
| Radiography | [ add ] |
| Radiologic Science | [ add ] |
| Radiologic Technology | [ add ] |
| Radiological Science | [ add ] |
| Radiological Technology | [ add ] |
| Radiological/Health Sciences | [ add ] |
| Radiology Technology | [ add ] |
| Therapeutic Radiation Technology | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.