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What Do Nuclear Medicine Technologist Do?
Example of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job 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.
What Do Nuclear Medicine Technologists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
- Gather information on patients’ illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.
- Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients’ bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
- Position radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to allow for most effective treatment of patient’s disease, using computer.
- Add radioactive substances to biological specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, to determine therapeutic drug or hormone levels.
- Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician’s prescription.
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Skills Needed to be a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Medicine Technologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- Nuclear Medicine Technician
- Nuclear Medical Technologist
- Radioisotope Technician
- Radioisotope Technologist
- Radiation Safety Officer
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 20,100 jobs in the United States for Nuclear Medicine Technologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,000 new jobs for Nuclear Medicine Technologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Nuclear Medicine Technologist are Wyoming, Utah, and Alaska. Watch out if you plan on working in North Dakota, Hawaii, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
The typical yearly salary for Nuclear Medicine Technologists is somewhere between $55,330 and $104,730.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists who work in California, District of Columbia, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Nuclear Medicine Technologists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,350 |
| Arizona | $84,230 |
| Arkansas | $73,510 |
| California | $112,040 |
| Colorado | $85,500 |
| Connecticut | $88,670 |
| Delaware | $82,400 |
| District of Columbia | $96,370 |
| Florida | $72,090 |
| Georgia | $74,420 |
| Hawaii | $91,310 |
| Idaho | $78,680 |
| Illinois | $84,200 |
| Indiana | $73,270 |
| Iowa | $73,630 |
| Kansas | $76,290 |
| Kentucky | $67,380 |
| Louisiana | $67,500 |
| Maine | $73,800 |
| Maryland | $80,350 |
| Massachusetts | $83,090 |
| Michigan | $70,270 |
| Minnesota | $85,050 |
| Mississippi | $64,710 |
| Missouri | $75,680 |
| Montana | $76,980 |
| Nebraska | $67,470 |
| Nevada | $82,340 |
| New Hampshire | $82,300 |
| New Jersey | $91,690 |
| New Mexico | $77,270 |
| New York | $87,560 |
| North Carolina | $70,180 |
| North Dakota | $74,630 |
| Ohio | $71,880 |
| Oklahoma | $73,270 |
| Oregon | $86,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,550 |
| Rhode Island | $89,060 |
| South Carolina | $71,410 |
| South Dakota | $64,990 |
| Tennessee | $63,900 |
| Texas | $77,390 |
| Utah | $75,250 |
| Vermont | $82,590 |
| Virginia | $72,090 |
| Washington | $91,950 |
| West Virginia | $60,350 |
| Wisconsin | $80,740 |
| Wyoming | $73,620 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Nuclear Medicine Technologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- MEDITECH software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Radiopharmacy inventory databases
Becoming a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Individuals working as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
Where do Nuclear Medicine Technologists Work?
Below are examples of industries where Nuclear Medicine Technologists work:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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