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Return to Nuclear Medicine Page
Goals and Mission of the Program
Established in 1982 and sponsored by the University of Tennessee Medical Center, the Nuclear Medicine Technology program is designed to produce competent nuclear medicine technologists of a high professional standard. Our expectation is to provide a continuous supply of well qualified nuclear medicine technologists to better serve the medical communities of East Tennessee and surrounding states. The program is committed to excellence in Nuclear Medicine education through state of the art imaging technologies and unmatched clinical experience opportunities.
Job Description
Nuclear medicine technologists are highly specialized health care professionals who perform an integral role on the nuclear medicine/molecular imaging team in diagnosing and treating disease, working with physicians, patients, physicists, nuclear pharmacists, computer specialists, nurses, secretaries and other health care professionals. They have direct patient contact; prepare, calibrate and administer radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and therapy; perform patient imaging procedures (including computer processing) using sophisticated radiation-detecting instrumentation; operate imaging, lab and computer instrumentation; and ensure radiation safety.
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Program Description
The School of Nuclear Medicine Technology at the University of Tennessee Medical Center is a 12-month certificate program designed to prepare students for certification as Nuclear Medicine Technologists. The program is professionally accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRC-NMT)*. The full time program includes both didactic study and clinical practice. Didactic areas of instruction include clinical nuclear medicine, nuclear physics, radiochemistry, patient care, radiation safety, radiobiology, nuclear imaging instrumentation, and computer applications. Hands on, clinical training is emphasized as each student participates in clinical training at UTMC (the area’s only Level 1 trauma center and academic teaching hospital) and six additional affiliated sites (see below). Students successfully completing the program are eligible to take the national certification exams for Nuclear Medicine Technologists. In addition to the certificate program, a 4-year BS degree is also available through affiliation with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Middle Tennessee State University.
* The JRC-NMT is nationally recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the sole agency authorized to accredit professional educational programs in nuclear medicine technology. It provides the foundation for excellence in the nuclear medicine profession by setting standards for education and accrediting academic programs that meet or exceed those standards.
Nuclear Medicine Application and Reference Form
Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Information Packet
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Local Affiliated Clinical Institutions: Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, TN
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Knoxville, TN
St. Mary’s Medical Center, Knoxville, TN
Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge, TN
Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville, TN
Cardinal Health, Knoxville, TN (Radiopharmacy)
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Employment and Salaries in Nuclear Medicine
The need for dedicated, energetic individuals is continually expanding. Nuclear Medicine Technologists work in a variety of clinical settings, including community hospitals, university-affiliated teaching hospitals and medical centers, outpatient imaging facilities, physician offices, public health institutions, and government and private research centers. Nuclear Medicine Technologists generally work 40 hours per week, with some on call periods. Salaries vary depending on employer and geographical location. A Bureau of Labor and Statistics survey (2004) reported median annual earnings of nuclear medicine technologists were $56,450. The middle 50 percent earned between $48,720 and $67,460. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,300. Median annual earnings of nuclear medicine technologists in general medical and surgical hospitals were $54,920. A survey of corporate HR departments by Salary.com (2006) showed a typical nuclear medicine technologist working in the United States earning a median base salary of $56,730, with half earning between $52,791and $61,538.
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The Application Process: - http://www.utmedicalcenter.org/radiology.
A complete application consists of
(1) The application form
(2) An application narrative describing your reasons for choosing Nuclear Medicine
(3) All transcripts from post-secondary schools, colleges, and/or technical schools. (Please note any courses currently in progress or to be completed prior to school) and
(4) Three personal reference forms or letters of personal reference by individuals who are familiar with the applicant's personal, academic, and/or employment background.
Applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, creed, or national origin. All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit scores on the TOEFL exam.
The deadline for all application materials is APRIL 15th for the following fall class. Incomplete applications will not be considered, but will be kept on file for one year.
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Current Tuition Expenses
Certificate Program (Non degree seeking) students:
Certificate program students pay a hospital allied health professions flat fee of $4,000. Certificate students are eligible for financial aid through The Educational Resources Institute (TERI), a consortium of private financial institutions and lenders. See www.teri.org for more information and application.
UTK Baccalaureate Program:
Students applying program hours towards a UTK bachelor's degree pay full undergraduate tuition to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. See www.utk.edu for current tuition rates. The 2006-2007 estimated tuition was $2811/semester. The Nuclear Medicine Technology program is the equivalent of 3 semesters.
UTK students are eligible for Federal financial aid programs (Title IV Funds) authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
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Pertinent Names and Addresses:
Mr. Glenn Hathaway
Program Director
Phone 1-VOL-305-9726
Email: ghathawa@mc.utmck.edu
Mary Ann Hoskins
Chairperson, Arts and Sciences Advising Services, University of Tennessee
1 Alumni Memorial Building
Office: 1-VOL-974-4481
Email: mhoskins@utk.edu
Andy Burden
Department of Chemistry, Pre-Nuclear Medicine Technology program coordinator and advisor Middle Tennessee State University
Ph:1-615-898-5466
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
#1, 2nd Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860-2320
Phone 406.883.0003
*****Information contained in this web page is subject to revision. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to consult with the school officials on a regular basis.
Websites and Organizations with Additional Information:
Additional information on a career as a nuclear medicine technologist is available from:
Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologists
1850 Samuel Morse Dr. Reston, VA 20190-5316
Telephone: 703-708-9000
Internet: http://www.snm.org
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
15000 Central Ave. SE. Albuquerque, NM 87123
Telephone: 800-444-2778, press 5
Internet: http://www.asrt.org
Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nuclear Medicine Technology web page:
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos104.htm
For a list of accredited programs in nuclear medicine technology:
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
2000 W. Danforth Rd., Ste 130 #203 Edmond, OK 73003
Telephone: 405-285-0546
Internet: http://www.jrcnmt.org
Information on technologist certification/licensure is available from:
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
1255 Northland Dr. St. Paul MN 55120-1155
Telephone: 651-687-0048
Internet: http://www.arrt.org
Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
3558 Habersham @ Northlake, Bldg. 1 Tucker, GA 30084
Telephone: 404-315-1739
Internet: http://www.nmtcb.org
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The Selection Process: The Selection Process
Following the application deadline, qualified and promising applicants are invited for a personal interview with the admissions committee. The admissions committee considers all aspects of each applicant's record and offers admission to the best-qualified individuals. To facilitate the unequaled clinical experience opportunities offered in this program, class size is limited to no more than 7 students per year.
Certification
Certification
Upon completion of the accredited Nuclear Medicine technology program, qualified graduates are eligible for certification through examination by one of the national credentialing agencies (NMTCB or ARRT). Many employers and an increasing number of states now require certification and/or licensure. This professional requirement will expand career choices for the future.
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