Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Nuclear Medicine Technologists typically perform the following tasks: • Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician. • Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images. • Process cardiac function studies, using computer. • Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription. • Record and process results of procedures. • Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician. • Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients. • Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures. • Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras. • Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures. • Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy. • Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment. • Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, or radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, or other laboratory equipment. • Train or supervise student or subordinate nuclear medicine technologists. • Position radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to allow for most effective treatment of patient's disease, using computer. • Add radioactive substances to biological specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, to determine therapeutic drug or hormone levels. • Develop treatment procedures for nuclear medicine treatment programs. • Schedule patients for nuclear medicine exams and procedures.