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Nuclear Medicine (NUC)
Nuclear Medicine Technology is the medical specialty that uses the physiologic properties of radioactive material to evaluate conditions of the body and to provide therapy. The skills of the nuclear medicine technologist complement those of the nuclear medicine physician and other professionals in the field.
Nuclear medicine technologists perform a number of tasks in the areas of patient care, technical skills, and radiopharmaceutical administration. They apply their knowledge of radiation physics and safety regulations to limit radiation exposure, prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, and use radiation detection devices and other kinds of laboratory equipment that measure the quantity and distribution of radionuclides deposited in the patient. They also perform in-vivo and in-vitro diagnostic procedures, use quality control techniques as part of a quality assurance program covering all procedures and products in the laboratory, and may participate in research activities.
Technology classes begin once per year. Admission to the program is competitive with completed applications received annually. Because students and health care workers in the health care field may be exposed to infectious materials and communicable diseases, the program emphasizes safety and prevention.
Upon completion of the associate degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology, the graduate will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and positioning techniques to accurately acquire/process/display functional and anatomical structures on a nuclear medicine image.
- Develop the necessary skills to apply effective communication, critical thinking and problem solving in a nuclear medicine setting.
- Provide patient care and comfort in a compassionate, ethical and professional manner.
- Act as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent information for the physician to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.
- Evaluate nuclear medicine images for appropriate positioning and image quality.
- Apply the principles of radiation protection for the patient, staff, and general public.
- Recognize emergency patient conditions and, if necessary, initiate lifesaving first aid and basic life-support procedures.
- Evaluate the quality control performance of nuclear medicine equipment systems, including the safe limits of equipment operation, and report malfunctions to the proper authority.
- Exercise independent judgment and discretion while performing nuclear medicine imaging procedures.
- Participate in nuclear medicine quality assurance programs.
- Meet or exceed the entry level expectations of employers.
- To successfully complete the ARRT and/or NMTCB national certification exams.
Specific Program Admissions Information
Prospective students are required to attend an informational and
advising session to learn detailed program requirements and career
opportunities. These sessions are held in the autumn and winter
quarters and are extremely helpful in answering students’ questions.
A program application is available in each information packet
distributed at the autumn and winter quarter informational/advising
sessions. Interested persons can obtain session dates and general
information by contacting Shawndeia Thomas in the Nuclear Medicine
Technology Office, (614) 287-5215, or via e-mail to:
nuclearmedicine@cscc.edu.
For the most current admissions requirements, consult CSCC Nuclear
Medicine web link at
http://www.cscc.edu/NucMed/index.htm
Listed below are additional requirements for admission to the Nuclear Medicine Technology program:
- High school graduate or GED equivalency
- Required high school (or equivalent) courses in Biology (grade of “C” or better) or completion of BIO 100 (grade of “C” or better) and Chemistry (grade of “C” or better) or completion of CHEM 100 (grade of “C” or better).
- Placement into ENGL 101 Beginning Composition or completion of ENGL 100.
- Completion of PHYS 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better
- Completion of MATH 104 and/or placement into or completion of MATH 148 College Algebra
- Completion of CHEM 112 or CHEM 113 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better.
- Placement into “No Reading Required” or completion of DEV 040
- Completion of sixteen observation hours in a hospital- based Nuclear Medicine department
- Attendance at a nuclear medicine technology information and advising session.
NOTE: Individuals who have been convicted of, plead guilty to, or plead nolo contendere to a crime may be ineligible to take the credentialing exams. For additional information, contact the Nuclear Medicine Technology office at (614) 287-5215 or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Code of Ethics, Section B.3, Rules of Ethics at www.arrt.org.
Associate of Applied Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology (NUC)
Quarter 1
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUC 200 | Introduction to Nuclear Medicine | 3 |
| NUC 232 | Radiation Safety and Protection | 2 |
| BIO 261 | Human Anatomy | 5 |
| MATH 148 | College Algebra | 5 |
| MULT 101 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 17 |
Quarter 2
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUC 149 | Introduction to Clinical Nuclear Medicine | 3 |
| NUC 213 | Physics and Nuclear Imaging I: Lecture | 3 |
| NUC 214 | Physics and Nuclear Imaging I: Lab | 1 |
| NUC 234 | Nuc. Med. Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacology I | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| BIO 262 | Human Physiology | 5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 18 |
Quarter 3
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUC 215 | Physics and Nuclear Imaging II: Lecture | 3 |
| NUC 216 | Physics and Nuclear Imaging II: Lab | 1 |
| NUC 235 | Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy II | 4 |
| NUC 251 | Clinical Theory and Procedures I | 5 |
| NUC 260 | Clinical Practicum I | 2 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 15 |
Quarter 4
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUC 217 | Physics and Nuclear Imaging III: Lecture | 3 |
| NUC 218 | Physics and Nuclear Imaging III: Lab | 1 |
| NUC 252 | Clinical Theory and Procedures II | 5 |
| NUC 261 | Clinical Practicum II | 2 |
| BIO 263 | Pathophysiology | 5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 16 |
Quarter 5
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUC 240 | Seminar I | 1 |
| NUC 254 | Clinical Theory III | 5 |
| NUC 262 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| NUC 270 | Case Studies I | 1 |
| SSCI XXX | 100, 101, 102, 105 or GEOG 240 or SOC 202 | 5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 15 |
Quarter 6
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUC 241 | Seminar II | 1 |
| NUC 263 | Clinical Practicum IV | 3 |
| NUC 271 | Case Studies II | 1 |
| COMM 105 | Speech | 3 |
| or | ||
| COMM 110 | Conference and Group Discussion | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Essay and Research | 3 |
| RAD 210 | Introduction to Sectional Anatomy | 1 |
| NUC 280 | Cross Modality Directed Practice | 2 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 14 |
Quarter 7
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUC 242 | Seminar III | 1 |
| NUC 264 | Clinical Practicum V | 3 |
| NUC 272 | Projects in Nuclear Medicine | 1 |
| COMM 200 | Business Communications | 3 |
| HUM XXX | 111, 112, 113, 151, 152, or 224 | 5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 13 | |
| TOTAL DEGREE CREDIT HOURS | 108 |
Students should request a program plan of study from their faculty advisor.
