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Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Did You Know:

  • Keen competition is expected for most positions.
  • Technologists with training in multiple diagnostic methods, or in nuclear cardiology, should have the best prospects.
  • Nuclear medicine technology programs range in length from one to four years and lead to a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree.
  • About 66 percent of nuclear medicine technologists work in hospitals.

Industry Areas

  • General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
  • Offices of Physicians
  • Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories

Day-to-Day Tasks

  • 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.
  • Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.

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Overall Kind of Work

Diagnostic imaging embraces several procedures that aid in diagnosing ailments, the most familiar imaging being the X-ray. In nuclear medicine, radionuclides – unstable atoms that emit radiation s...

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Work Environment

Civilian

Physical stamina is important because nuclear medicine technologists are on their feet much of the day and may have to lift or turn disabled patients. In addition, technologists must operate compl...

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Workweek Breakdown

The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.

Pie Chart Representing the section data
  • 10.10% (0-20 Hours)
  • 8.72% (21-34 Hours)
  • 10.79% (35-39 Hours)
  • 65.94% (40 Hours)
  • 4.06% (41-49 Hours)
  • 0.39% (Over 50 Hours)

This data also pertains to Diagnostic related technologists and technicians (29-2030)

Type of Work

The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.

Data: Medium
People: Medium
Things: Medium

Skills at a Glance

The levels of different skills helpful in this career.

Verbal skills: Medium
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Medium
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: High
Math & Science Skills: High
Technology Design & Control: Medium
Leadership: Medium

Workplace at a Glance

The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.

Responsibility: High
Exposure to Job Hazards: Low
Physical Activity: High
Decision Making: High
Repetitiveness: Medium
Level of Competition: High
Time Pressure: Medium

Business Breakdown

The different sectors people in this career currently work in.

Pie Chart Representing the section data
  • 65.86% (Private For-Profit)
  • 26.46% (Private Not For-Profit)
  • 4.21% (State and Local Govt)
  • 2.34% (Federal Government)
  • 1.13% (Self-Employed)

This data also pertains to Diagnostic Related Technologists And Technicians