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Nuclear Medicine Technologist Careers

Learn about nuclear medicine technology schools, education, and careers.

The Basics

What you’ll do: As a nuclear medicine technologist (NMT), you’ll perform diagnostic tests on patients using imaging equipment such as gamma cameras.

Where you’ll work: Hospitals, physician’s offices and clinics, private practice or for a firm. Some nuclear medicine technologists may work for state or federal government agencies.

Degree you’ll need: Associate’s degree, but preferably a bachelor’s degree

Average annual salary: $80,240*

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Description

Working directly with patients and under the supervision of a physician, you’ll fulfill the following standard duties of a nuclear medicine technologist:

Explaining procedures to patients
Administering radioactive substances to patients
Producing the images on a computer screen or on film for a physician to interpret
Taking precautions to limit radiation exposure to the patient and yourself

You might also document laboratory operations and participate in scheduling patient examinations.

Education & Licensure

First and foremost, you’ll need to make sure you complete an accredited NMT program. Certificate programs are offered for experienced technologists who wish to specialize in nuclear medicine. In the training programs, students receive a combination of classroom and clinical instruction.

Coursework May Include the Following:

Nuclear physics
Statistics
Health physics
Anatomy
Biochemistry

Radiopharmacology
Radiation biology
Clinical nuclear medicine
Radionuclide therapy
Immunology

Regulations about certification and licensing vary from state to state. However, getting your certification is a good idea because most employers require it. Upon completion of an accredited program, you can receive your NMT certification from these agencies:

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics; Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

^{*The salary information listed is based on a national average,
unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization
within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other
factors. National long-term projections of employment growth may not
reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not
guarantee actual job growth.}