Nuclear Medicine Technologists

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-2033
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
• Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
• Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
• Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
• Record and process results of procedures.
• Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
• Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
• Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.
• Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras.
• Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
• Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.
• Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.

Tools and technology

MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Automated blood pressure cuffs, Automated external defibrillators AED, Automated multisample liquid scintillation counters, Automatic film developing equipment, Beta vial shields, Blood drawing syringes

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
• Radiation Therapists
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
• Radiologists
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Nuclear Medicine Technologists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.