Launching a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Career in California
For those looking for a career that provides more than just financial success, the medical field is a great option. You’ll get to work alongside like-minded individuals making a difference in people’s lives day after day. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t realize how many unique career opportunities the medical industry provides. At National Polytechnic College in Lakewood, California, we offer comprehensive programs like our nuclear medicine program, which help students get the education they need to make a name for themselves after graduation. Here, we look closely at the role of a nuclear medicine technologist so you can see if it’s right for you.
What Is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine involves the use of radioactive tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) to help evaluate bodily functions and diagnose and treat disease. These radiotracers can be administered via injection, inhalation, or ingestion. Once inside the body, the radiotracers will be followed by a special camera or scanner, allowing them to create images from inside the human body, which gives doctors more accurate information. There are several nuclear medicine imaging modalities, but Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) are two of the more common scans.
These scans are important because they allow medical professionals to get an in-depth view of areas they wouldn’t be able to see without invasive procedures. Some of the conditions that these imaging technologies are used to detect and diagnose are:
- Certain cancers
- Heart disease
- Neurological disorders
- Bone and joint disorders
What Does a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Do?
As a nuclear medicine technologist (or Nuc Med Tech), you’ll be tasked with performing these scans. You’ll need an extensive understanding of human anatomy as well as physiology and medical terminology. They can be found in hospitals and medical clinics as well as universities, imaging clinics, research centers, and diagnostic laboratories. Some of the responsibilities you’ll have as a Nuc Med Tech are:
- Setting up appointments
- Preparing patients for medical imaging procedures and explaining what they can expect
- Administering radiopharmaceuticals via injection, ingestion, or inhalation
- Using medical imaging equipment, including PET scanners, SPECT scanners, and gamma cameras to capture usable images
- Analyzing specimens
- Following all necessary safety protocols
- Using radiation shielding to protect patients during scans
- Discussing the results of scans with radiologists, physicians, and other healthcare providers
Why You Should Consider This Profession
Like all positions in the medical industry, working as a nuclear medicine tech allows you to help people. Knowing that what you do each day truly matters to your patients is one of the main reasons people turn to this career. You’ll also get the chance to work alongside radiologists and other healthcare providers, which means you’ll be part of a team dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives.
The position is also a great choice for those who like technology and using specialized equipment. Each day, you’ll perform a variety of scans and get to work with radioactive materials. This makes the job exciting and interesting.
Of course, a career as a Nuc Med Tech also provides generous pay. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for a nuclear medicine technologist in CA is over $140,000. Also, California is one of the states with the highest employment rate for the job, meaning it will be easier to find openings.
Why National Polytechnic College?
At National Polytechnic College, we have brilliant, passionate instructors who are committed to helping students learn everything they need to excel in the position. Our nuclear medicine technologist school meets the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) requirements, giving it ARRT approval and allowing graduates to pursue their ARRT certification.
The program uses a blended format, which means students will get a mix of classroom lectures and remote learning sessions to offer convenience. We also provide an in-class lab, allowing students to get practical training with the equipment they’ll need to be familiar with. This helps them prepare for both the knowledge and the skills that will be necessary to excel in the field. Overall, the program requires 2,585 course hours and takes between 20 and 24 months.
Take the First Step and Enroll Today
Pursuing a career as a nuclear medicine technologist can lead to professional success and a sense of pride knowing that what you do every day is designed to help people. At National Polytechnic College in Lakewood, CA, our Nuc Med Tech program provides you with the resources you’ll need to feel confident entering the workforce. We even have a career services department that is dedicated to helping students prepare for the next step, and our financial aid office helps make your education affordable. If you have any questions about this or any of our programs or are ready to enroll, call us today at (888) 379-4090.