What Does it Take to Be a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
Job Description & Duties 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.
List of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Duties
- Record and process results of procedures.
- Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
- Gather information on patients’ illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.
- Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
- Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, or radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, or other laboratory equipment.
- Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras.
What a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Should Know
These are the skills Nuclear Medicine Technologists say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Other Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Titles
- Nuclear Technologist
- Isotope Technician
- Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT)
- Medical Radiation Dosimetrist
- Radiation Safety Officer
What Kind of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 20,100 jobs in the United States for Nuclear Medicine Technologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,000 new jobs for Nuclear Medicine Technologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,300 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Nuclear Medicine Technologist are Wyoming, Utah, and Alaska. Watch out if you plan on working in North Dakota, Hawaii, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Nuclear Medicine Technologists Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Nuclear Medicine Technologists ranges between about $55,330 and $104,730 a year.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists who work in California, District of Columbia, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Nuclear Medicine Technologists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,350 |
| Arizona | $84,230 |
| Arkansas | $73,510 |
| California | $112,040 |
| Colorado | $85,500 |
| Connecticut | $88,670 |
| Delaware | $82,400 |
| District of Columbia | $96,370 |
| Florida | $72,090 |
| Georgia | $74,420 |
| Hawaii | $91,310 |
| Idaho | $78,680 |
| Illinois | $84,200 |
| Indiana | $73,270 |
| Iowa | $73,630 |
| Kansas | $76,290 |
| Kentucky | $67,380 |
| Louisiana | $67,500 |
| Maine | $73,800 |
| Maryland | $80,350 |
| Massachusetts | $83,090 |
| Michigan | $70,270 |
| Minnesota | $85,050 |
| Mississippi | $64,710 |
| Missouri | $75,680 |
| Montana | $76,980 |
| Nebraska | $67,470 |
| Nevada | $82,340 |
| New Hampshire | $82,300 |
| New Jersey | $91,690 |
| New Mexico | $77,270 |
| New York | $87,560 |
| North Carolina | $70,180 |
| North Dakota | $74,630 |
| Ohio | $71,880 |
| Oklahoma | $73,270 |
| Oregon | $86,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,550 |
| Rhode Island | $89,060 |
| South Carolina | $71,410 |
| South Dakota | $64,990 |
| Tennessee | $63,900 |
| Texas | $77,390 |
| Utah | $75,250 |
| Vermont | $82,590 |
| Virginia | $72,090 |
| Washington | $91,950 |
| West Virginia | $60,350 |
| Wisconsin | $80,740 |
| Wyoming | $73,620 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Nuclear Medicine Technologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- MEDITECH software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Radiopharmacy inventory databases
How to Become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
What education or degrees do I need to become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
What work experience do I need to become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
Where do Nuclear Medicine Technologists Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Nuclear Medicine Technologists employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: {} via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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