What do I have to do to get this job?

Educational qualification: Generally, certificate programs are offered in hospitals; associate programs in community colleges; and bachelor's programs in 4-year colleges and in universities. Courses cover physical sciences, the biological effects of radiation exposure, radiation protection and procedures, the use of radio pharmaceuticals, imaging techniques, and computer applications.

One-year certificate programs are for health professionals, especially radio logic technologists and ultrasound technologists wishing to specialize in nuclear medicine. Technologists trained in both nuclear medicine and radio logic technology will have the best prospects.

Work environment: Nuclear medicine technologists generally work a 40-hour week. This may include evening or weekend hours in departments which operate on an extended schedule. Opportunities for part-time and shift work are also available. In addition, technologists in hospitals may have on call duty on a rotational basis.

How much will I be paid when I start?

3500/-

What is the future with this job?

Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. The number of openings each year will be very low because the occupation is small. Growth will arise from an increase in the number of middle-aged and older persons who are the primary users of diagnostic procedures, including nuclear medicine tests. Nonetheless, job seekers will face more competition for jobs than in the recent past. In an attempt to employ fewer technologists and lower labor costs, hospitals have begun to merge nuclear medicine and radio logic technology departments. Consequently, opportunities will be best for technologists who can perform both nuclear medicine and radio logic procedures.

Technological innovations may increase the diagnostic uses of nuclear medicine. One example is the use of radiopharmaceuticals in combination with monoclonal antibodies to detect cancer at far earlier stages than is customary today, and without resorting to surgery. Another is the use of radionuclides to examine the heart's ability to pump blood. Wider use of nuclear medical imaging to observe metabolic and biochemical changes for neurology, cardiology, and oncology
procedures, will also spur some demand for nuclear medicine technologists.

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