What Do Nuclear Medicine Technologist Do?
Career Description 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.
What Do Nuclear Medicine Technologists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
- Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
- Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
- Develop treatment procedures for nuclear medicine treatment programs.
- Train or supervise student or subordinate nuclear medicine technologists.
- Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
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Things a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Should Know How to Do
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Radioisotope Technician
- Nuclear Medicine PET-CT Technologist (Nuclear Medicine Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography Technologist)
- Nuclear Medicine Technician
- Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Lead Nuc Med Tech)
- Isotope Technologist
Are There Job Opportunities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists?
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,300 job openings in this field each year.
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.
How Much Does a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Make?
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
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Nuclear Medicine Technologists:
- 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
Education needed to be a Nuclear Medicine Technologist:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Nuclear Medicine Technologists Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Nuclear Medicine Technologists employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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