What You Need to Know About Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Example 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.
Life As a Nuclear Medicine Technologist: What Do They Do?
- Position radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to allow for most effective treatment of patient’s disease, using computer.
- Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
- Add radioactive substances to biological specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, to determine therapeutic drug or hormone levels.
- Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
- Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician’s prescription.
- Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, or radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, or other laboratory equipment.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Other Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Titles
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Nuclear Med Tech)
- Nuclear Technologist
- Radioisotope Technician
- Nuclear Medical Technologist
- Isotope Technician
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. The BLS estimates 1,300 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Average Salary
Nuclear Medicine Technologists make between $55,330 and $104,730 a year.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists who work in California, District of Columbia, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Nuclear Medicine Technologists 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 |
What Tools do Nuclear Medicine Technologists Use?
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
What kind of Nuclear Medicine Technologist requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Nuclear Medicine Technologists Are Employed
Nuclear Medicine Technologists work in the following industries:
References:
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