Entry-Level Task Force
Proposed Professional Curriculum
Education for the Entry Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Introduction:
The course work in the professional curriculum of the nuclear medicine technology
(NMT) program consists of the courses required for a technologist to practice
competently in the field of nuclear medicine technology. It is recognized that the
concepts of nuclear medicine build on a core of knowledge that should be acquired first.
The suggested core curriculum to standardize nuclear medicine technology programs is
listed below.
Preparatory Coursework for Future NMTs
Minimum Prerequisite Science and Math Courses:
• General Physics (two course sequence)
• General Chemistry (two course sequence)
• Anatomy and Physiology (two course sequence)
• College Algebra
• Statistics
Recommended Liberal Arts courses:
• English and Literature (one each)
• Humanities (which includes the Arts), Social Sciences (one each)
Recommended miscellaneous courses:
• Computer Science
Optional Preparatory Coursework for Future NMTs
• Biology (two semester sequence)
• Molecular Biology/Cellular Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Pathophysiology
• Immunology
• Biomedical Ethics
• Health Care Management Courses
• General Business Courses
• Medical Terminology
• Advanced Mathematics
Professional Curriculum
Building upon a strong science and math background, the SNMTS is proposing a
standardized professional curriculum for current baccalaureate NMT programs to be
implemented by 2010.
Components of the Professional Curriculum
Some of the professional content will remain the same on the surface but the content will
need to be expanded to include the addition of concepts not previously emphasized or
covered. Increased content is due to rapid technological advances occurring in the field
and the complexity of health care delivery. Content that may not be currently included in
all NMT programs is shown in italics below.
Proposed Professional Curriculum
 Patient Care
o
Patient Assessment
 Medical Ethics
 Radiobiology
 Radiation Protection
o
Radiation Producing Instrumentation
 Radiation Physics
o
X-ray production
 MRI Physics
o
MRI Safety
 Nuclear Instrumentation: Non-imaging
 Instrumentation: Imaging
o
X-ray Image Production
o
Computed Tomography
 CT Systems
 CT Process
 CT Quality Control
o
Magnetic Resonance
 MR Systems
 MR Process
 MR Quality Control
o
Scintimammography Systems
 Instrumentation: Computers
 Emerging Technologies
o
Advances in Technology
o
New Radiopharmaceuticals
 Cross Sectional Anatomy
 Nuclear Pharmacy
 Pharmacology
o
Interventional Agents
 Class of drug
 Alternate names
 Indications
 Mechanism of action
 Pharmacokinetics
 Dosage range
 Precautions and Contraindications

Other drugs

Pathological conditions
 Adverse Effects

Management

Documentation
o
Contrast Media
Class of drug
Alternate names
 Indications
 Mechanism of action
 Pharmacokinetics
 Dosage range
 Precautions and Contraindications

Other drugs

Pathological conditions
 Adverse Effects

Management

Documentation
Diagnostic Procedures
o
Skeletal Imaging
o
Cardiovascular Imaging
o
Central Nervous System Imaging
o
Digestive System Imaging
o
Endocrine/Exocrine System Imaging
o
Genitourinary Imaging
o
Hematology and In Vitro Procedures
o
Oncology Imaging
o
Respiratory System Imaging
o
Inflammation Imaging
o
Pediatric Imaging
Therapeutic Procedures
o
Radiation Therapy Imaging Protocols
Clinical Education
o
PET rotation
o
PET/CT and/or SPECT/CT rotation
o
Administration of contrast media
o
Recommended Ancillary Rotation
 CT
 MR
Research
o
Development
o
Design
o
Presentation/Publication
Health Information Systems
o
Electronic Medical Record Documentation (RIS, HIS)
o
Radiopharmacy Information Systems
o
PACS
Health Care Administration
o
Strategic Planning
o
Professional Ethics/Law
o
Health Care Delivery System
 Economics (Reimbursement)
 Insurance
 Coding
 Managed care systems
 Hospital economics and organization
 Critical Pathways










Other Delivery Systems
Role of Health Care Providers
Constraints
There are many obstacles that have already been overcome regarding the addition of
these courses to the NMT curriculum. For example, the American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists now allows nuclear medicine technologists to sit for the CT registry.
However, there are still many obstacles for nuclear medicine technologists to obtain the
clinical experience needed to sit for the Registry. Most nuclear medicine technologists
are now educated in the following ways: certificate programs, associate degree programs
and baccalaureate programs. While the goal is to have entry level into the field of
nuclear medicine be at the baccalaureate degree level, the more important aspect is the
inclusion of all the coursework necessary for the success of the nuclear medicine
technologist. Inclusion of more courses in the associate degree program is probably the
most difficult due to the constraint of a maximum number of credits allowed for an
associate’s degree. Certificate programs tend to have more flexibility when it comes to
entry requirements into their programs and courses taught within their programs.
The other major constraint is regulation. There are many states with regulatory language
(licensure) that prohibit anyone from performing CT procedures unless they are a
radiographer. Since it is essential that nuclear medicine technologists perform CT when
it is in conjunction with a SPECT or PET camera, it must be shown that this is part of the
NMT professional curriculum to support regulatory changes.
Time Frame
Given the necessary additions to the core and professional curriculum, the suggested time
frame for educating and preparing a student in nuclear medicine technology is four years.
This is already supported by most educational programs, although indirectly. Many
certificate programs only admit students who already have some college or experience in
the allied health sciences. Many associate degree programs are requiring a year or more
of pre-requisite courses prior to entry into their programs.
Summary
These changes are both timely and necessary. The additional curricular content should be
included into a standardized curriculum. The standardized curriculum needs to be
endorsed in order to ensure that the field of nuclear medicine is practiced by technologists
specifically educated in nuclear medicine technology. Regulations will not change until
the curriculum for nuclear medicine technology changes. Currently, many states only
allow radiographers to independently perform hybrid imaging due to regulations
regarding the operation of radiation producing machines. PET/CT and SPECT/CT
should be performed by individuals with education and clinical experience in the use of
radionuclides and education and clinical experience in CT. The addition of CT to the
curriculum for the NMT is an easier pathway than adding the entire field of nuclear
medicine to the radiography curriculum.
The endorsement of the NMT core and professional curriculum is the first step toward
standardizing the curriculum. This is essential in ensuring that the graduates of a nuclear
medicine technology program will have the skills necessary to competently perform all
aspects of nuclear medicine technology independently.