______________________________________ Investigative Occupations: Nuclear Medicine Technologistsprocedures for therapies. Measure glandular activ-
ity, blood volume, red cell survival, and radioactivity
of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintilla-
tion counters, and other laboratory equipment. Train
and supervise student or subordinate nuclear med-
icine technologists. Position radiation fi elds, radia-
tion beams, and patients to allow for most eff ective
treatment of patients’ diseases, using computers. Add
radioactive substances to biological specimens such
as blood, urine, and feces to determine therapeutic
drug or hormone levels. Develop treatment proce-
dures for nuclear medicine treatment programs.
GOE—Interest Area/Cluster: 08. Health Science.
Work Group: 08.06. Medical Technology. Other
Jobs in! is Work Group: Biological Technicians;
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians;
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers; Medical and
Clinical Laboratory Technicians; Medical and Clin-
ical Laboratory Technologists; Medical Equipment
Preparers; Medical Records and Health Informa-
tion Technicians; Opticians, Dispensing; Orthotists
and Prosthetists; Radiologic Technicians; Radio-
logic Technologists; Radiologic Technologists and
Te c h n i c i a n s.
Skills: Operation Monitoring; Equipment Mainte-
nance; Quality Control Analysis; Systems Analysis;
Operation and Control; Systems Evaluation.
Education and Training Programs: Nuclear Medi-
cal Technology/Technologist; Radiation Protection/
Health Physics Technician. Related Knowledge/
Courses: Medicine and Dentistry; Biology; Chem-
istry; Physics; Customer and Personal Service; # er-
apy and Counseling.
Work Env ironment : Indoors; contaminants; radia-
tion; disease or infections; standing; using hands on
objects, tools, or controls.Nuclear Medicine Technologists
! Personality Code: IRS! Education/Training Required: Associate
degree
! Annual Earnings: $64,670
! Beginning Wage: $47,370
! Earnings Growth Potential: Low
! Growth: 14.8%
! Annual Job Openings: 1,290
! Self-Employed: 1.0%
! Part-Time: 17.3%
Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive iso-
topes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer stud-
ies, using a variety of radioisotope equipment.
Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials
and calculate doses to be administered by radi-
ologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute
blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorp-
tion studies, following standard laboratory tech-
niques. Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in
patients’ bodies, using a camera to produce photo-
graphic or computer images. Administer radiophar-
maceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or
treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under
direction of a physician. Produce computer-gener-
ated or fi lm images for interpretation by physicians.
Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosages or
radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed,
using computers and following physicians’ prescrip-
tions. Perform quality control checks on laboratory
equipment and cameras. Maintain and calibrate
radioisotope and laboratory equipment. Dispose of
radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals,
following radiation safety procedures. Process car-
diac function studies, using computers. Prepare stock
radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards
that minimize radiation exposure to workers and
patients. Record and process results of procedures.
Explain test procedures and safety precautions to
patients and provide them with assistance during test
procedures. Gather information on patients’ illnesses
and medical histories to guide choices of diagnostic Investigative–N