Life As a Nuclear Medicine Physician
Position Description Diagnose and treat diseases using radioactive materials and techniques. May monitor radionuclide preparation, administration, and disposition.
A Day in the Life of a Nuclear Medicine Physician
- Teach nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology, or other specialties at graduate educational level.
- Perform cardiovascular nuclear medicine procedures such as exercise testing and pharmacologic stress testing.
- Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings.
- Review procedure requests and patients’ medical histories to determine applicability of procedures and radioisotopes to be used.
- Establish and enforce radiation protection standards for patients and staff.
- Compare nuclear medicine procedures with other types of procedures such as computed tomography, ultrasonography, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography.
Featured schools near , edit
Skills Needed to be a Nuclear Medicine Physician
Nuclear Medicine Physicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Director of Nuclear Medicine
- Professor of Radiology
- Physician
- Nuclear Medicine Physician
- Nuclear Physician
Job Outlook for Nuclear Medicine Physicians
There were about 372,400 jobs for Nuclear Medicine Physician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 42,300 new jobs for Nuclear Medicine Physician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Nuclear Medicine Physician are Arizona, Alaska, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Nuclear Medicine Physician
The salary for Nuclear Medicine Physicians ranges between about $60,280 and $208,000 a year.
Nuclear Medicine Physicians who work in Alaska, Arizona, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Nuclear Medicine Physicians in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $183,510 |
| Alaska | $244,220 |
| Arizona | $229,090 |
| Arkansas | $165,290 |
| California | $208,740 |
| Colorado | $219,310 |
| Connecticut | $221,870 |
| Delaware | $216,600 |
| District of Columbia | $182,910 |
| Florida | $205,020 |
| Georgia | $235,060 |
| Hawaii | $228,470 |
| Idaho | $241,670 |
| Illinois | $183,780 |
| Indiana | $237,470 |
| Iowa | $219,300 |
| Kansas | $191,430 |
| Kentucky | $223,770 |
| Louisiana | $183,920 |
| Maine | $257,550 |
| Maryland | $196,210 |
| Massachusetts | $207,990 |
| Michigan | $181,760 |
| Minnesota | $245,040 |
| Mississippi | $174,340 |
| Missouri | $203,440 |
| Montana | $247,260 |
| Nebraska | $161,880 |
| Nevada | $227,500 |
| New Hampshire | $275,840 |
| New Jersey | $208,820 |
| New Mexico | $229,100 |
| New York | $171,060 |
| North Carolina | $198,040 |
| North Dakota | $266,510 |
| Ohio | $212,160 |
| Oklahoma | $155,130 |
| Oregon | $202,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $195,810 |
| Rhode Island | $209,580 |
| South Carolina | $185,210 |
| South Dakota | $227,710 |
| Tennessee | $231,960 |
| Texas | $199,370 |
| Utah | $218,210 |
| Vermont | $176,520 |
| Virginia | $199,080 |
| Washington | $239,080 |
| West Virginia | $222,270 |
| Wisconsin | $239,610 |
| Wyoming | $234,610 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Nuclear Medicine Physicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Nuclear Medicine Physicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Scheduling software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- eClinicalWorks
- Patient electronic medical record EMR software
- SOAPware EMR
- Allscripts Professional EHR
- NextGen Healthcare Information Systems EMR
- Radiopharmacy inventory databases
- Alteer Office
- Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM medical imaging software
Becoming a Nuclear Medicine Physician
Are there Nuclear Medicine Physicians education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Nuclear Medicine Physician?
Nuclear Medicine Physicians Sector
Below are examples of industries where Nuclear Medicine Physicians work:
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Nuclear Medicine Physician may also be interested in:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.