All About Nuclear Medicine Physicians
Occupation Description Diagnose and treat diseases using radioactive materials and techniques. May monitor radionuclide preparation, administration, and disposition.
Nuclear Medicine Physician Responsibilities
- Review procedure requests and patients' medical histories to determine applicability of procedures and radioisotopes to be used.
- Compare nuclear medicine procedures with other types of procedures such as computed tomography, ultrasonography, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography.
- Prescribe radionuclides and dosages to be administered to individual patients.
- Determine appropriate tests or protocols based on patients' needs or conditions.
- Interview and physically examine patients prior to testing.
- Monitor quality control of radionuclide preparation, administration, or disposition ensuring that activities comply with applicable regulations and standards.
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Nuclear Medicine Physician Needed Skills
These are the skills Nuclear Medicine Physicians say are the most useful in their careers:
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
- Professor of Radiology
- Nuclear Medicine Physician
- Nuclear Physician
- Nuclear Medicine Officer
- Director of Nuclear Medicine
What Kind of Nuclear Medicine Physician Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 372,400 jobs in the United States for Nuclear Medicine Physician. 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.
Nuclear Medicine Physician Salary
Nuclear Medicine Physicians make between $60,280 and $208,000 a year.

Nuclear Medicine Physicians who work in Alaska, Arizona, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Nuclear Medicine Physicians make 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
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Nuclear Medicine Physicians may use on a daily basis:
- 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
How do I Become a Nuclear Medicine Physician?
Individuals working as a Nuclear Medicine Physician have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Nuclear Medicine Physicians Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Nuclear Medicine Physician might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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