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Nuclear Medicine Technologists
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.
Other titles employers use
Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT) · Nuclear Cardiology Technologist · Nuclear Medicine PET-CT Technologist (Nuclear Medicine Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography Technologist) · Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) · Radiation Safety Officer · Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist · Staff Nuclear Medicine Technologist · Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- English Language
- Physics
- Medicine and Dentistry
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.4 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.2 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.9 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A two-year degree 63%
- A four-year degree 21%
- A certificate or some college 6%
- A master's degree 6%
- A doctorate or professional degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,140
- Job openings each year
- 110
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2,140 | 110 | 8.1% |
| California | 1,600 | 80 | 14.3% |
| Texas | 1,350 | 70 | 11.6% |
| New York | 1,230 | 30 | 26.8% |
| Ohio | 910 | 40 | −3.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 820 | 40 | −2.4% |
| Illinois | 800 | 30 | −2.4% |
| Georgia | 750 | 40 | 10.3% |
| Michigan | 660 | 30 | −4.3% |
| North Carolina | 630 | 30 | 10.5% |
| New Jersey | 610 | 30 | — |
| Maryland | 450 | 20 | 2.3% |
| Arizona | 430 | 30 | 19.4% |
| Missouri | 430 | 20 | 4.9% |
| Virginia | 420 | 20 | — |
| Tennessee | 360 | 20 | — |
| Alabama | 350 | 20 | 2.9% |
| Indiana | 340 | 20 | — |
| Washington | 330 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Colorado | 320 | 20 | 14.3% |
| Wisconsin | 280 | 10 | 3.7% |
| Kansas | 260 | 10 | 4.0% |
| Louisiana | 250 | 10 | 4.2% |
| Oklahoma | 240 | 10 | — |
| Connecticut | 230 | 10 | 4.5% |
| Kentucky | 220 | 10 | — |
| South Carolina | 220 | 10 | — |
| Oregon | 200 | 10 | 5.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 200 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Iowa | 180 | 10 | 5.9% |
| Minnesota | 180 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 160 | 10 | — |
| South Dakota | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Arkansas | 150 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 140 | 10 | — |
| Massachusetts | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Delaware | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Nevada | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Idaho | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Maine | 90 | 0 | −10.0% |
| District of Columbia | 80 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 80 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 70 | 0 | — |
| New Mexico | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| Montana | 50 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 0 | — |
| Vermont | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Wyoming | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Boise State University
- Degrees each year
- 272
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Midwestern State University
- Degrees each year
- 218
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Oregon Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 168
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Degrees each year
- 93
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 87
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Sacred Heart University
- Degrees each year
- 86
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $42,000
Georgia Southern University
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
MCPHS University
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $38,000
Compare every college offering allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions