Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

 Duties and Responsibilities:

Nuclear medicine technologists use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient’s body. They prepare radioactive drugs and give them to patients undergoing the scans. The radioactive drugs cause abnormal areas of the body to appear different from normal areas in the images making it easier for the doctor to see these areas. They explain imaging procedures to the patient and answer questions, follow safety procedures to protect themselves and the patient from unnecessary radiation exposure, examine machines to ensure that they are working properly, prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to the patient, monitor the patient to check for unusual reactions to the drugs, operate equipment that creates images of areas in the body, such as images of organs, and keep detailed records of procedures.

Salary:

$70,180 per year

$33.74 per hour

Education:

An associate’s degree is required although some do have bachelor’s degrees. License is not required to become a nuclear medicine technologist in all states. Some become certified although not necessary. A 12 month program that focuses in this medical area is needed.

Reflection:

I think I would want to work in this field because I have the skills to calm people down with their emotional stress.