Bachelor in Nuclear Medicine Technology

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at the University of Findlay provides the field of nuclear medicine with technologists who are highly skilled, knowledgeable, conscientious, and competent providers of high-quality patient care in the medical community.

Your Nuclear Medicine Technology Training Program

​Degree Options

You can earn a Certificate of Completion, Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology at the University of Findlay. 

Nuclear Medicine Institute

The Nuclear Medicine Institute (NMI) at Findlay is a worldwide known, one-year program that will prepare you to apply for one, or possibly both, of the national certification exams in nuclear medicine technology.

​Clinical Training

During your clinical training, you will perform nuclear medicine procedures under the supervision of a certified nuclear medicine technologist.

What is nuclear medicine technology?

Nuclear medicine technology is a paramedical field concerned with the use of radioactive materials, primarily for the diagnosis of various pathological disease states and, secondarily, for the treatment of some specialized disorders.

While at the University of Findlay, students enroll in the appropriate courses to meet degree requirements and to meet the entrance requirements for the Nuclear Medicine Institute program. Strong faculty advising and program flexibility are key components of UF’s health professions programs. Students are advised thoroughly on all academic options throughout their tenure at UF.

An NMT is required to have a background check and/or drug screen. 

What does nuclear medicine technologist do?

A nuclear medicine technologist (NMT) is a highly-trained individual who has a solid background in mathematics and the physical, chemical and biological sciences. Under the supervision of a physician, the NMT is responsible for radiation safety, quality control, preparing and administering the radiopharmaceuticals, performing imaging procedures, collecting and preparing biological specimens, performing special laboratory procedures and preparing data for interpretation by a physician.

The NMT works closely with other allied health personnel and professionals within the medical community to provide quality patient care.

Job Outlook

As reported by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), nuclear medicine offers procedures that are essential in many medical specialties, from pediatrics to cardiology to psychiatry. New and innovative nuclear medicine treatments that target and pinpoint molecular levels within the body are revolutionizing our understanding of and approach to a range of diseases and conditions.

• The SNMMI also states that nuclear medicine will continue to be a field at the forefront of modern clinical medicine and technological development. The future has never been brighter thanks to:
• The development of new radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
• Promising research and development of cancer-detecting and cancer-killing agents, such as genetically engineered antibodies

The expanding clinical use of exciting new technology known as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Positron Coincidence Detection (PCD), which provide new and unique means of studying biochemistry and metabolism within living tissues.​

Traits, abilities and/or skills that a nuclear medicine technologist should possess include being able to:

• Demonstrate normal or corrected hearing so that the technologist can hear a patient calling for assistance or speaking softly when there is a lot of background noise.
• Be compassionate and/or sympathetic.
• Act professionally at all times with a high level of integrity and tact.
• Be a hard worker who is responsible and dependable and can be part of a very active team that works well under pressure. 
• Be detail-oriented.
• Work at a computer monitor for long periods of time.
• Manipulate small objects, perform venipuncture, perform patient imaging and handle radioactive material.
• Have the manual dexterity to perform procedures.
• Work with a patient population without any judgments regarding the patient's traits or history.
• Lift, transfer and/or move patients and/or heavy equipment and have the ability to stand, sit or walk for long periods of time.
• See with normal or corrected vision in order to discriminate among various shades and colors and be able to see objects up close and from a distance.

NMI graduates work in a variety of settings including:

• Medical Centers
• Community Hospitals
• University Teaching Hospitals
• Imaging Centers
• Private Industry
• Government Institutions
• Radiopharmacy

Curriculum

Nuclear Medicine Institute at The University of Findlay

The Nuclear Medicine Institute (NMI) was started in 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to the campus of then-Findlay College in 1984. It is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) to offer a 52-week certificate program in nuclear medicine technology. This certificate of completion is presently accepted by seven affiliate colleges, in addition to The University of Findlay, for credit towards a degree. NMI is owned by The University of Findlay and operates in accordance with the accreditation standards set forth in the “Accreditation Standards for Nuclear Medicine Technologist Education.” A copy of these standards is available at the following website: www.jrcnmt.org. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to apply for one or possibly both of the national certification exams offered in nuclear medicine technology.

Nuclear medicine technology is a paramedical field concerned with the safe and effective use of radioactive materials for the diagnosis of various pathological disease states and for the treatment of some specific disorders. A nuclear medicine technologist is a highly trained individual who has a solid background in mathematics and the physical, chemical, and biological sciences. Under the supervision of a physician, the nuclear medicine technologist is responsible for radiopharmaceutical preparation and quality control; the performance of in vivo imaging and non-imaging procedures, instrumentation quality control; and the computer analysis of the data acquired and utilized by the physician for a diagnosis. The nuclear medicine technologist works closely with other health professionals within the medical community to provide quality patient care.

NMI’s 52-week program is a highly concentrated one, with classes being held for 28-32 hours per week during the academic session, and requiring 40 hours of training per week during the clinical session. The academic session is one semester in length and is held on the campus of The University of Findlay. During this session, the student receives the theory and concepts of nuclear medicine technology. Clinical training is 34 weeks in length and takes place at one or more of the NMI clinical affiliates. During clinical training, the student learns the practical application of the theory and receives hands-on experience in performing nuclear medicine procedures under the supervision of a certified nuclear medicine technologist. A one-week review session and the final exam are scheduled at the end of clinical training.

Please contact the program or department to obtain information regarding specific admission requirements or application packets to the Nuclear Medicine Institute.

• NMED 406 Molecular Imaging Mathematics
• NMED 416 Molecular Imaging Physics
• NMED 425 Molecular Imaging Radiobiology
• NMED 435 Molecular Imaging Radiation Protection
• NMED 445 Molecular Non-Imaging Procedures
• NMED 455 Molecular Imaging Procedures
• NMED 462 Radionuclide Therapies
• NMED 465 Radiochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals
• NMED 472 Molecular Imaging Instrumentation
• NMED 475 Molecular Imaging Spect
• NMED 477 Molecular Imaging Pet
• NMED 485 Clinical Nuclear Medicine I
• NMED 486 Clinical Nuclear Medicine II
• NMED 487 Molecular Imaging Capstone

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

A baccalaureate degree from the University is a structured program of study for at least 124 semester hours of credit which consists of CORE+ Curriculum for General Education and major requirements, and possibly elective courses depending on the student's course of study. Baccalaureate students may choose from multiple majors, minors, endorsements, and/or certificates. A baccalaureate course of study enables students to explore focused subject areas in considerable depth that correlate to diverse career and/or educational paths.