National
| Median wages (2008) |
$32.05 hourly, $66,660 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
20,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
6,000 additional employees |
29-2033.00 - Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies utilizing 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Staff Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT), Supervisor Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety Officer, Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Nuclear Cardiology Technologist
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.
- Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
- Calculate, measure and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
- Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment and cameras.
- Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
- Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
- Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
- Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
- Record and process results of procedures.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Hypodermic needles — Intramuscular hypodermic needles; Subcutaneous hypodermic needles |
| Liquid scintillation counters — Automated multisample liquid scintillation counters; Well counters |
| Medical gamma cameras for general use — Dual headed gamma cameras; Large-field gamma cameras; Rotating gamma cameras; Triple-head gamma cameras |
| Radiation detectors — Radiation survey meters; Radiation uptake detectors; Thermoluminescent dosimeters; Wipe test counters |
| Spectrometers — Dual channel spectrometer systems |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook |
| Medical software — Electronic medical record EMR software; Gamma camera software; Medovation RadRunner; Radiopharmacy inventory databases |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
