Explore
Molecular imaging
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
You handle the radioactive material, not just the machine.
Typical pay
$80k-$115k
How you get in
2-year associate plus NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification
Outlook
Stable; PET and theranostics are the growth areas
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, then image how the body processes them. It is the imaging specialty with the most pharmacology and the most direct radiation handling.
A day in the life
- 6:30aReceive and assay the day's radiopharmaceutical doses
- 7:30aInject the first patient, then wait for uptake
- 9:00aBone scan imaging
- 11:00aCardiac stress test with a nurse and physician present
- 1:00pLunch
- 2:00pPET-CT scans and dose documentation
How to get in
Associate degree
Duration
2 years
Cost
$10,000-$35,000
Credential
NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification
- Complete a JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine program
- Finish clinical rotations handling real doses
- Pass the NMTCB or ARRT nuclear medicine exam
- Add CT certification, which most PET-CT positions now require
Rad tech cross-training
Duration
12-18 months
Cost
$5,000-$20,000
Credential
ARRT(N) added to your registry
- Work as a radiologic technologist first
- Complete a nuclear medicine certificate program
- Pass the certification exam
- Combines well with CT for the most employable skill set
Into PET and theranostics
Duration
1-3 years after certification
Cost
$1,000-$8,000
Credential
PET and CT certifications
- Build general nuclear medicine experience
- Add PET and CT credentials
- Move into theranostics, where radiopharmaceuticals treat rather than image
- The fastest-growing and best-paid corner of the specialty
What people love
- · Strong pay for a two-year credential
- · Fascinating physiology and pharmacology
- · Dual certification with CT raises pay further
- · Small field means low competition for openings
What wears people down
- · Direct handling of radioactive material
- · Strict dosimetry monitoring and regulation
- · Very few programs and few positions
- · On-call for cardiac and emergency studies