Nuclear Medicine Technology

Career Information & Outlook

The nuclear medicine technologist (NMT) is a highly skilled individual who has a solid background in anatomy, physiology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, radiation safety, clinical nuclear instrumentation, and laboratory technique. Under the supervision of a physician, the NMT either directs or participates in the daily operation of the nuclear medicine department.

The responsibilities are varied and can include performing radiation safety and quality control procedures, preparing and administering radiopharmaceuticals, operating nuclear medicine instruments, positioning patients for imaging procedures, collecting, preparing, and analyzing biologic specimens, and preparing data for the physician's interpretation.

Visit the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET (29-2033.00 - Nuclear Medicine Technologists) for additional career information.

Nuclear Medicine Technology is the medical specialty concerned with the use of small amounts of radioactive material for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes. It is a vigorous, dynamic field that has grown phenomenally over the years and is expected to continue to grow in the future.

Nuclear Medicine procedures use radioactive materials to:

1. Perform body function studies and organ imaging,
2. Analyze biologic specimens, and
3. Treat disease.

Organ imaging in patients requires the intravenous, oral administration, or inhalation of radioactive materials (called radiopharmaceuticals). When administered, these radiopharmaceuticals localize in a specific organ or organ system of the body. Instruments called scintillation cameras can then detect the radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical concentrated in the organ and produce an image of the organ on a computer screen or photographic film. These images provide a way of studying the structure and measuring the function of that organ, as well as a way of identifying tumors, areas of infection, or other disorders. Imaging procedures provide information that can assist the physician in diagnosing diseases. The patient experiences little or no discomfort and the radiation dose is small.

Radioactive analyses of biologic specimens provide great accuracy and sensitivity. Blood, urine, or other specimens collected from the patient may be combined with radioactive materials to measure the level of various components in the sample such as hormones, drugs, or other chemical substances. Sample collection is simple, and because the radioactive material is added to the specimen outside the body, the patient is not exposed to radiation.

Therapeutic doses of radioactive materials can be administered to patients to treat a specific disease. Although not used as frequently as diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures, treatment of disease with radiopharmaceuticals is a valuable contribution to patient care.

2010 - 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook for nuclear medicine technologists is expected to increase by 16 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will arise from technological advancement, the development of new nuclear medicine treatments, and an increase in the number of middle-aged and elderly persons, who are the primary users of diagnostic and treatment procedures.

For statistics on salary expectations and additional information on a career in Nuclear Medicine Technology visit the Bureau of Labor and Statistics website (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos104.htm).

2011 - 2012 Tuition, Fees, and Expenses

• Students offered admission into the program must pay a non-refundable NMT Program acceptance fee ($250).  If the student was not already enrolled at the University of Iowa, he or she must also pay the University of Iowa’s standard application fee ($40) and the University of Iowa’s acceptance fee ($250) which will be assessed via U-bill.
• Students applying program hours towards a baccalaureate degree must pay full University of Iowa undergraduate tuition (For Fall 2011/Spring & Summer 2012:  $8,131.12/yr. for residents; $30,072.91/yr. for nonresidents).
• Students receiving only a certificate of completion and zero hours of credit pay a reduced tuition established specifically for the NMT program (For Fall 2011/Spring & Summer 2012: $4500/yr.).  The full-year certificate tuition is due, in the form of at cashier’s check, on the first day of program.
• All students are required to pay mandatory students fees which include a computer fee ($374/yr.), a student activity fee ($84/yr.), a student services fee ($89/yr.), a student union fee ($146/yr.), a building fee ($148/yr.), an arts and cultural events fee ($30/yr.), and a recreational services fee ($296/yr.).  Students in a degree program must also pay a Career Services fee ($26.50/yr.) and a student health fee ($294.50/yr.).  Students in the certificate program must also pay a miscellaneous non-degree certificate program fee ($1,032/yr.).  The mandatory student fees are assessed via University U-bill for all NMT students.
• *Room & Board - $11,670 (Annually; based on double room with full board - 20 meals/week).
• All health science students who experience significant clinical exposure as part of their education are required to maintain health insurance sufficient to satisfy minimum standards of coverage throughout each year of attendance at The University of Iowa. There is coverage offered by the University at a cost of $120 per month. A student may obtain health insurance through another provider, but will then be required to provide proof of coverage to the University before the first day of classes.
• Medical History and Health Screening, TB & TB Respirator-fitting Tests, & Immunizations

  All Nuclear Medicine students are required to complete a medical history and a health screening form, complete a TB skin and mask-fitting test annually and show proof of immunizations. The TB tests and any needed immunizations may be obtained at UI Student Health Services or from your personal physician. Cost varies.

• Textbooks and calculator ($800-900) - all books needed for the whole year are bought at the start of the program.
• Uniforms ($70-100) - two white waist-length long-sleeved lab jackets are required.
• National Certification Examination Fees
  • Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board "NMTCB" ($145) - applications can be sent in two months before the projected graduation date.
  • American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, "ARRT" ($200)
    - applications can be sent in two months before the projected graduation date.
• *Personal - $4,844 (Annual; includes phone charges, clothes, entertainment, laundry, mandatory student health insurance, and other costs. Although your actual expenses may vary, these are estimates to help with budgeting.)
• *Transportation - $1,190 (Annual)

*These figures are developed and provided by the UI Office of Student Financial Aid annually.

Commitment to the Pursuit of Quality

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program takes great care in its pursuit to select and educate top quality technologists. The items below provide verification of our commitment to this pursuit.

Certification Examination Rates

Program graduates sit for at least one of two (or both, if they wish) national certification examinations.  Both the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) provide certification for graduates of accredited nuclear medicine technology programs.  Since 1990, the program has maintained a 100% first attempt pass rate on the ARRT and a 99% pass rate on the NMCTB.  Below are the average scores of the graduates from the past 5 years.  A scaled score of 75 is the minimum passing scores for both exams.

ARRT Certification Rates:

NMTCB Certification Rates:

Program On-Time Completion Rate Information

**Due to federal privacy issues when less than 10 people start or graduate from the program this data is not listed.

Program Placement Rate

*Placement rate is calculated using the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (www.jrcnmt.org) methodology. **Due to federal privacy issues when less than 10 people start or graduate from the program some this data is not listed.

Median Student Debt Load

These median debt figures are developed and provided by the UI Office of Student Financial Aid.