CAREER EXPLORATION

By: Josue Prado

 What is Nuclear Medicine Career description and responsibilities Classes in high school for this career Classes after high school for this career. Work Environment Educational Requires

Salary Range, Annual Income Certifications Work Schedule Availability in the Future Video

 Nuclear medicine technologists use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patients body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients undergoing the scans. The radioactive drugs cause abnormal areas of the body to appear different from normal areas in the images.

Duties
Nuclear medicine technologists typically do the following: Explain imaging procedures to the patient and answer questions Follow safety procedures to protect the patient and themselves from excessive radiation exposure Examine machines to make sure that they are safe and working properly Prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to the patient Monitor the patient to check for unusual reactions to drugs Keep detailed records of procedures

 Nuclear medicine technologists must understand anatomy, physiology, and other sciences and be able to calculate accurate dosages. They also work with computers and large pieces of technological equipment and must be comfortable operating them.

Nuclear Medicine Courses and Classes after high school

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Radiopharmacy
Nuclear Medicine Instruments Clinical Education

Work Environment
Nuclear medicine technologists held about 21,900 jobs in 2010. Hospitals; state, local, and private Offices of physicians 6% Medical and diagnostic laboratories Outpatient care centers 25% 63% 2%

 Nuclear medicine technologists typically need an associates degree in nuclear medicine technology; there are also bachelors degree programs. Generally, certificate programs are offered in hospitals; associate's degrees in community colleges, and bachelor's degrees in 4-year colleges and universities.

The median annual wage of nuclear medicine technologists was $68,560 in May 2010.

Median annual wages, May 2010

$80.00

$60.00
$40.00 $20.00 $0.00 $68.56

$39.34

$33.84

Licenses and Certification

Nuclear medicine technologists must be licensed in some states; requirements vary by state. For specifics, contact your states health board.

Work Schedule Because imaging is sometimes needed in emergencies, some nuclear medicine technologists work evenings, weekends, or on call.

 Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the growth will result in only about 4,100 new jobs over the 10-year period.

 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcar e/Nuclear-medicinetechnologists.htm#tab-1 http://educationportal.com/nuclear_medicine_co urses.html http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/p rograms/degrees/proftech/nmtec/ http://www.snm.org/