Nuclear medical technology gives doctors a valuable diagnostic tool.
Not too long ago, doctors who wanted to know what was going on inside a patient had only two options: cut them open and look, or take a guess and hope for the best. Today we have a wide variety of tools for what's called non-invasive medical imaging, the use of technology to look at living tissues for diagnostic or research purposes. Nuclear medical technology is one of these techniques, and nuclear medical technologists are the healthcare professionals to administer the tests.
How the Technology Works
Nuclear medical technologists work with substances called radionucleides, atomically unstable radioactive substances. These are purified to make radiopharmaceuticals, which are administered in controlled doses to patients. The technologist measures the concentration of these substances in tissues, and can map areas where it is different than expected. Other diagnostic technologies detect changes in an organ's structure, while nuclear technology detects metabolic changes.
Accreditation and Certification
The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology is the only federally-recognized agency that can accredit programs in nuclear medical technology within the United States. In some states, schools with a general form of accreditation offer programs in nuclear medicine technology, which are not themselves certified by JRCNMT. As of 2008, 25 states required technologists to be licensed. Certification is voluntary as a rule, though some states or employers may require it. Both the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board offer certification, with slightly different criteria.
Choosing an Accredited School
Nuclear medical technology is taught in a variety of settings, from technical schools and community colleges to universities and hospitals. The JRCNMT website maintains a list of accredited programs, sortable by state and with full contact information. The National Center for Education Statistics' College Navigator website offers a searchable database of accredited programs and schools, with a variety of search tools and filters for selection and comparison purposes.
The Educational Process
For professionals who are currently practicing in another diagnostic imaging technology, or who are licensed nurses, many schools offer an accelerated one-year certification program to cross-train as nuclear medical technologists. Students who do not have a comparable credential may complete either a two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor's degree. After graduation, those who wish to gain a recognized credential must earn either the AART's Registered Technologist certification or the NMCTB's CNMT certification. Both require ongoing professional development and must be renewed annually.
Tags: medical technology, medical technologists, Nuclear medical technology, accredited programs, imaging technology