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Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists are highly skilled medical imaging experts that use radioactive materials to diagnose physiological and metabolic changes within the body and treat diseases.

With experience, and sometimes further training, nuclear medicine technologists may specialise in computer programming, bone mineral densitometry, or scanning techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound.

Nuclear medicine technologists work as part of a team with other health professionals and medical staff.

TASKS

Nuclear medicine technologists may perform the following tasks:

maintain and operate equipment such as gamma cameras and computing systems to acquire images and process and analyse patient data
prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals that demonstrate the function of organs in the body
explain procedures to patients and enquire about previous diagnostic studies and medication, making sure they receive the correct preparation for the procedure
check the patient's medical status and ensure their comfort, privacy and safety needs are met during the procedure
deliver findings of procedures to medical practitioners
provide diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients
perform laboratory procedures, including blood and specimen collection and quality control testing
make sure that radioactive materials are handled, stored and disposed of in a safe manner
perform routine quality control and testing procedures on instrumentation, radiopharmaceuticals, data, images and computing systems
initiate and participate in research programmes and in the development of new techniques
supervise and educate students

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

interest and aptitude in science
able to work accurately
responsible and patient nature
sympathetic and understanding approach
able to work independently or as part of a team

Good Outlook for this career!

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a nuclear medicine technologist you usually have to complete a degree in applied science or medical radiation science at university with a major in nuclear medicine. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics are normally required. A number of universities in Australia offer these degrees.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information

Before undertaking clinical placements required by courses, students will need to obtain a National Police Certificate, a Provide First Aid Certificate, immunisations and a Working with Children Check (NSW) or a Working with Vulnerable People Check (ACT). Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Graduates are required to complete a Professional Development Year (PDY) with an approved department of nuclear medicine before being eligible for accreditation with the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM) and registration with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA).

It is a legal requirement for graduates to be registered with the MRPBA before practising as a nuclear medicine technologist in any state or territory of Australia. For full details, visit the board's website.

In NSW, you must obtain a licence to operate radiation equipment from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Contact the EPA for more information. In the ACT, you must obtain a licence to operate radiation equipment from the Health Protection Service's Radiation Council. Visit their website for more information.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Entry to PDY positions may be competitive. Employment is concentrated in larger centres due to the specialist nature of this branch of medicine. Although nuclear medicine technologists usually work in city-based hospitals, employment opportunities are increasing at private facilities.