University of Nebraska Medical Center

A nuclear medicine technologist is a highly skilled allied health professional who uses radioactivity to:

		help detect diseases or other conditions in people
		treat certain diseases
		study samples of blood or tissues
		investigate better methods of diagnosis

Radioactivity - those unstable, radiation-emitting atoms we mentioned earlier- can be used to study disorders in virtually any part of the body.

For most nuclear medicine testing procedures, this is how it works:

		First, the nuclear medicine technologist explains the test procedure to the patient, answers any questions and puts the patient at ease.
		Next, the technologist prepares and administers a radioactive chemical compound, known as a radiopharmaceutical, to the patient.
		Once the radiopharmaceutical enters the body, it localizes in the tissues or organs to be studied and emits signals from the patient's body.
		Next, the nuclear medicine technologist positions the patient for the imaging procedure.
		The technologist then uses sensitive camera equipment to detect where the radioactive drug is located and takes pictures of the area.
		Abnormal areas show higher or lower concentrations of radioactivity than normal areas.
		The pictures, or images, are then reviewed by a physician specializing in nuclear medicine.

As you can tell, the fascinating field of nuclear medicine depends upon high technology, sophisticated equipment and, most importantly, dedicated professionals. An exciting and rewarding future awaits those who pursue a career in nuclear medicine technology.

Is this career for you?

		Do you have a strong interest in health sciences?
		Are you into computer technology?
		Do you enjoy working with people?
		Do you possess good manual dexterity and physical stamina?

If so, a career as a nuclear medicine technologist might be for you. These professionals rely on their knowledge of physiology and anatomy, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer technology to help diagnose and treat diseases.

The job sounds very scientific, and it is. But, there's more to it than that.

Since nuclear medicine technologists have a high degree of patient contact, they must enjoy working with people. They should also be good communicators. Why? Because it is the nuclear medicine technologist's job to explain a procedure to the patient, answer any questions the patient may have, and put that patient at ease.

Nuclear medicine technologists should also possess good manual dexterity and physical stamina since they may need to lift or turn disabled patients.

Want to know more?
Jump over to Day in the Life and spend a "virtual day" with a practicing nuclear medicine technologist.