Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Overview

Nuclear Medicine Technologists has a national median salary of $101,370 per year, with +4.4% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using 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.

Work Values

• Relationships
• Support
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
• Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
• Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
• Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
• Record and process results of procedures.

Work Activities

• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Working with Computers
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Getting Information
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Detailed Work Activities

• Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for an associate's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Nuclear Medicine Technologists:

Video Resources