Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists operate equipment that detects and maps a radioactive drug within a patient’s body to create diagnostic images. The images are then produced on a computer screen or on film for diagnosis by the health care team.

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

Summary

Nuclear medicine differs from other diagnostic imaging technologies because it determines the presence of disease on the basis of metabolic changes rather than changes in organ structure. These professionals handle radionuclides — unstable atoms that emit radiation — which are purified and compounded to form the radiopharmaceuticals detected by highly specialized equipment. By administering these radiopharmaceuticals to patients they can monitor the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs in which the drugs localize.

Educational Requirements

To become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, students can complete a bachelor’s degree in a health science field (biology or chemistry) and continue education through a 12 month certification program in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Some enter the profession through obtaining an associate’s degree in medical imaging.

Salary Information 2022

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in 2022 was $78,760.

Want to know more?

Get Connected

Belonging to professional organizations & LinkedIn groups can provide you with networking, informational interviewing, & job shadowing opportunities, as well as assist you with finding internships and jobs.

Get Experience

Research & Internship Listings

NMT Certification Programs

Information retrieved from O*NET Online: Nuclear Medicine Technologists and Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nuclear Medicine Technologists.