There Are New Forms Of Medical Science Developing, Be Part Of It!

The medical world is experiencing an increase in use of nuclear medicine for diagnostic testing and for research for cancer treatments that involve radiation therapy.  This is good news for nuclear medicine technologist industry.  The rise in nuclear medicine creates job opportunities for science degree hopefuls who may be interested in pursuing a career in this profession.

Mention the word nuclear, and some people think of hardcore radiation.  Nuclear medicine is far from what was recently witnessed in Japan.  Instead, it joins together computer technology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and medicine in using radioactivity to diagnose or control various diseases.  It is significant because it allows the physician to get an image of a specific organ or part of the body.  Other imaging procedures, such as x-rays do not produce that type of result.

Nuclear medicine works like this; small amounts of radioactive material are introduced into the patient’s body and traced through certain organ systems.  The procedure allows the doctor to capture a picture of a specific area of the body with the purpose of treating the disease, like thyroid cancer.  The procedures are safe and painless, and the patient feels little or no discomfort.  Anesthesia is not needed.

In addition to assisting the nuclear medicine physician, the technologist has many primary responsibilities such as performing patient imaging procedures, maintaining sophisticated radiation-detecting instruments, preparing and administering radioactive chemical compound, and analyzing biologic specimens in the laboratory.  One also correlates data analysis, patient information, and test images for the physician to make diagnostic interpretation.

A special quality every technologist should possess is patient care.  He or she works very closely with the patient, and so becomes the patients point of contact throughout the medical visit.  In addition to performing the actual imaging procedure, the tech asks personal questions to create a patient profile and answer any questions the patient has regarding the procedure.  These professionals should have a warm and caring disposition in order to relate to the patient and gain his or her confidence.

This field continues to be at the forefront of modern clinical medicine and technological development.  The future has never been brighter for up and coming nuclear medicine technologists.  Career opportunities are available in a variety of clinical settings including community hospitals, university-affiliated teaching hospitals, research institutes, public health institutions, and outpatient imaging facilities.

A nuclear medicine technologist must complete special training in a four-year college or in a nuclear medicine program.  Course requirements vary depending on the degree program; however, a strong background in science and mathematics is generally required. 

These technologists are expected to complete on-the-job training to round out their education.  An increasing number of employers and states now require certification or licensees upon completion of a nuclear medicine program as well.

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