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Nuclear Medicine Technologists Occupation Detailed Description

Nuclear Medicine Technologists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Nuclear Medicine Technologists

The main tasks and work activities of Nuclear Medicine Technologists are to record patient medical histories, calculate numerical data for medical activities, operate diagnostic imaging equipment, create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems. In general, for the Nuclear Medicine Technologists, critical Thinking, speaking, active Listening, monitoring and other 14 skills are required.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Nuclear Medicine Technologists jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
4.24%
Some College Courses
1.81%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
62.63%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
31.32%

Tasks and Work Activities of Nuclear Medicine Technologists

  • Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
  • Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
  • Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.
  • Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
  • Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
  • Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
  • Record and process results of procedures.
  • Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
  • Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
  • Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.
  • Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, or radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, or other laboratory equipment.
  • Train or supervise student or subordinate nuclear medicine technologists.
  • Position radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to allow for most effective treatment of patient's disease, using computer.
  • Add radioactive substances to biological specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, to determine therapeutic drug or hormone levels.
  • Develop treatment procedures for nuclear medicine treatment programs.
  • Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
  • Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras.
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Calculate numerical data for medical activities.
  • Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
  • Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
  • Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
  • Process x-rays or other medical images.
  • Monitor the handling of hazardous materials or medical wastes.
  • Follow protocols or regulations for healthcare activities.
  • Process healthcare paperwork.
  • Prepare medications or medical solutions.
  • Maintain medical laboratory equipment.
  • Gather medical information from patient histories.
  • Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples.
  • Supervise patient care personnel.
  • Train medical providers.
  • Position patients for treatment or examination.
  • Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
  • Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
  • Determine protocols for medical procedures.
  • Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.

Skills and Abilities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Electronic blood pressure unitse.g. Automated blood pressure cuffs
  • Automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddlese.g. Automated external defibrillators AED
  • Liquid scintillation counterse.g. Automated multisample liquid scintillation counters
  • Medical imaging wet darkroom or daylight processorse.g. Automatic film developing equipment
  • Medical radiological shielding portable containers for radioactive materialse.g. Beta vial shields
  • Blood collection syringese.g. Blood drawing syringes
  • Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubese.g. Computed tomography CT scanners
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Radiation detectorse.g. Digital ratemeters
  • Medical radiation dosimeterse.g. Dose calibrators
  • Spectrometerse.g. Dual channel spectrometer systems
  • Medical gamma cameras for general usee.g. Dual headed gamma cameras
  • Electrocardiography EKG unitse.g. Electrocardiography EKG units
  • Vacuum blood collection tubes or containerse.g. Evacuated blood collection tubes
  • Medical radiation dosimeterse.g. Finger film badges
  • Gamma counterse.g. Gamma scintillation counters
  • Radiation detectorse.g. Geiger-Mueller meters
  • Intravenous infusion pumps for general usee.g. Infusion pumps
  • Hypodermic needlee.g. Intramuscular hypodermic needles
  • Intravenous tubing with catheter administration kitse.g. Intravenous IV sets
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • BiologyKnowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • PhysicsKnowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • PsychologyKnowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.