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Career Details : Nuclear Medicine Technologists

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Description

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies utilizing a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.

Experience

A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Tasks

  • Administers radiopharmaceuticals or radiation to patient to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of physician.
  • Calculates, measures, prepares, and records radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals, using computer and following physician's prescription and x-rays.
  • Measures glandular activity, blood volume, red-cell survival, and radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, and other laboratory equipment.
  • Maintains and calibrates radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
  • Disposes of radioactive materials and stores radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
  • Develops treatment procedures for nuclear medicine treatment programs.
  • Positions radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to develop most effective treatment of patient's disease, using computer.

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    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Consequence of Error
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Radiation

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