Nuclear Medicine Technology
Nuclear medicine will continue to be a field at the forefront of modern clinical medicine and technological development. The future has never been brighter thanks to:
- The development of new radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
- Promising research and development of cancer-detecting and cancer-killing agents, such as genetically engineered antibodies
- The expanding clinical use of exciting new technology known as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which provides new and unique means of studying biochemistry and metabolism within living tissues.
The Role of the Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with diagnostic, therapeutic, and investigative uses of radioactive materials. The results of these usages are recorded and interpreted by a licensed practitioner who has specialized in the profession of nuclear medicine. The knowledge and skills of the nuclear medicine technologist compliment those of the nuclear medicine physician and other professionals in this field.
The Nuclear Medicine Technologist is an allied health professional certified in nuclear medicine technology who, under the direction of an authorized physician user, is committed to applying the art and skill of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures through safe and effective use of radionuclides. Responsibilities include but are not limited to direct patient contact, the preparation and administration of radiopharmaceuticals, patient imaging procedures including computer processing, laboratory testing, patient preparation, quality control and radiation safety. The technologist’s professional development is achieved through medical and technical education and ultimately contributes to the delivery of quality patient care.
Students enroll in the Nuclear Medicine Technology program in the fall and must complete twenty-four months of study with laboratory experience to meet eligibility requirements to take the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board examination in the fall of the graduating year. Upon completion of the two-year curriculum, graduates will be awarded the Associate in Applied Science degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology, and upon passing the A.R.R.T. and /or N.M.T.C.B. examination, will be registered as an ARRT(N) and/or Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT).
Did you know?Depending on a number of factors, including geographic location, duties of employment and their own personal qualities, graduates can reasonably expect entry level salaries ranging from $58,200 to $64,500 per year. The median annual wage for nuclear medicine technologists was $70,180 in May 2012.
In addition to supporting the mission and goals of Galveston College, the mission of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program is to provide a comprehensive, competency-based nuclear medicine curriculum to prepare a diverse group of graduates with the entry-level skills needed to provide quality nuclear medicine procedures, the best possible patient care, and rewarding careers; encouraged to become leaders in the nuclear medicine community with a need for a lifetime of continued learning.
- Trained and qualified entry level position as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
- Qualified and eligible to sit for national certification exam (NMTCB and/or ARRT).
- Discern and manage ethical issues in a rapidly changing environment.
- Embrace a commitment to lifelong learning and the ability to acquire and use new knowledge.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- Draw from multiple disciplines in the healthcare environment in order to understand the patient’s overall condition.
The Galveston College Nuclear Medicine Program is nationally accredited by the:
Joint Review Committee on Educatinal Programs
2000 W. Danforth Rd., Ste 130 #203
Edmond Ok 73003
Tel: (405) 285-0546
Fax: (405) 285-0579
Nuclear Medicine Technology – Associate of Applied Science Degree
2016 National Certification Exam Pass Rates (First Attempt)
• ARRT Certification Exam Pass Rate = 7 out of 7 students = 100%
For additional information about the profession or the program, please visit the Galveston College Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Facebook page: www.facebook.com/gcnucmed
1. Complete the requirements for admission to the College. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Program.
● Requirements for the college include:
a. TSI scores for TSI-eligible students or placement scores for TSI-exempt students which permit enrollment in college level courses. Official TSI scores must appear on a transcript to be sent directly to Galveston College from the test company on an official test score report form.
Degree Plan must show evidence of:
b. Achieve a grade of “C” or better in MATH 1314 College Algebra or a passing placement test score within five years of acceptance into the Program.
c. Achieve a grade of “C” or better in BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I, within five years of acceptance into the Program. BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II is strongly recommended as a prerequisite.
d. Achieve a grade of “C” or better in PHYS 1401 College Physics, within five years of acceptance into the Program.
e. Achieve a grade of “C” or better in CHEM 1405 Introductory to Chemistry I or equivalent, within five years into the Program.
f. An overall G.P.A. of 2.5. It is highly recommended that the general education courses be completed prior to enrollment in the Program. A grade of “C” or better is required in the general education courses. Math and Science courses must be completed within five years of acceptance into the Program.
2. Submit program application to the Program Director.
● Program applications are accepted beginning September 15th through May 31st of each year to be considered for the next academic year. Applications that are submitted after the deadline will be reviewed at the discretion of the Selection Committee. Due to limited enrollment, we can not accept every applicant. Applicants not admitted to the program must re-apply each year. Successful applicants will be notified by mail of acceptance to the program.
a. Complete the Hepatitis B immunization series including titer or show proof of illness. To be eligible to apply to the Program, student must show proof that the immunization process has been started. The process needs to be completed by the start of the Program. (This process takes seven months. to complete).
b. Complete Varicella immunization (Chicken pox) or show proof of illness by the start of the Program.
c. Complete a background check through the College at students cost upon acceptance to the Program.
d. Complete a clear drug screening test at students cost as directed by the Program.
e. Meet with the Program Director upon requestf. Attend Mandatory Orientation.
|BIOL2401||Anatomy and Physiology I||4|
|MATH 1314||College Algebra||3|
|CHEM 1405||Introductory Chemistry||4|
|Fall Semester One|
|BIOL 2402||Anatomy and Physiology II||4|
|NMTT 1201||Introduction to Nuclear Medicine Technology||2|
|NMTT 1211||Nuclear Medicine Patient Care||2|
|SCIT 1320||Physics for Allied Health||3|
|Spring Semester Two|
|ENGL 1301||Composition I||3|
|NMTT 1162||Clinical (Nuclear Medicine Technology||1|
|NMTT 2201||Radiochemistry & Radiopharmacy||2|
|NMTT 1203||Radiation Biology and Safety||2|
|NMTT 1309||Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation||3|
|Summer Semester Three|
|NMTT 2309||Nuclear Medicine Methodology I||3|
|NMTT 2233||Pet and Fusion Technology||2|
|NMTT 2361||Practicum I||3|
|FALL SEMESTER FOUR SECOND YEAR|
|ELEC X3XX||Behavioral/Social Science||3|
|ELEC X3XX||Humanities/Fine Arts||3|
|NMTT 2313||Nuclear Medicine Methodology II||3|
|NMTT 2466||Practicum II||4|
|Spring Semester Five|
|NMTT 2235||Nuclear Medicine Technology Seminar*||2|
|NMTT 2467||Practicum III||4|
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS IN PROGRAM
|4Select one course from ENGL 2333, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333, ENGL 2343, HUMA 1301, HUMA 1302, PHIL 1316, 2303, 2307, 2321, SPAN 2311, SPAN 2312, FREN 2311, FREN 2312, GERM 2311 OR GERM 2312
7Select one course from ANTH 2346, ANTH 2351, CRIJ 1307, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, GEOG 1303, HIST 2311, HIST 2312, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2306, PSYC 2311, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2317, SOCI 1301, SOCI 1306, SOCI 2301, SOCI 2319, SOCI 2336 or SOCI 2339
*Identifies capstone course (TP) Identifies Tech Prep courses
Underline- Identifies courses to meet academic, general education requirements for AAS degree; minimum 15 credit hours.
Transfer students must:
- Complete admission requirements to Galveston College as well as the Program admission criteria.
- Currently hold a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on transfer course work.
- Submit course syllabi for review, if requested by program coordinator.
- Agree to a complete a disclosure of information form.
Contact Nuclear Medicine Technology
Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Director