Radiopharmaceuticals and Nuclear Medicine Enhancing
Pharmaceuticals Prepared and Administered by Certified Nuclear
Medicine Technologists
Description of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
The nuclear medicine technologist is an allied health professional certified in nuclear
medicine technology and educated in patient care whom, under the direction of an
authorized physician user, is committed to applying the art and skill of diagnostic and
therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures through the safe and effective use of
radionuclides. As outlined in our scope of practice, responsibilities include but are not
limited to direct patient care, the preparation and administration of
radiopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and contrast media that enhance nuclear
imaging, patient imaging procedures including computer processing, laboratory testing,
patient preparation, quality control and radiation safety. The technologist's professional
development is achieved through medical and technical education and ultimately
contributes to the delivery of quality patient care.
Historical Practice
Nuclear medicine technologists have been preparing and administering
radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine enhancing pharmaceuticals, under the
direction of an authorized user for five decades, as prescribed by the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, education in nuclear
medicine technology was standardized with the adoption of didactic curricular standards
and establishment of programmatic accreditation.
I. Identified component in didactic curriculum of nuclear medicine technologists.
The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
(JRCNMT) specifies in Section IV.B that “nuclear medicine technologist prepares and
verifies quality of radiopharmaceuticals under the direction of an authorized user” and
under Section V.A.2 that “a nuclear medicine technologist performs imaging procedures
by administering radiopharmaceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals using standard
precaution techniques as authorized by the institution”, as listed in the professional
standards, the Essentials and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the
Nuclear Medicine Technologist. These standards are adopted and reviewed by the
following professional organizations on an ongoing basis:

American College Of Radiology

American Society Of Radiologic Technologists

Society Of Nuclear Medicine

Society Of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section
II. Identified component in the certification process of nuclear medicine technologists.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) specifies this
practice in Section B.III labeled Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals:
Preparation and Administration in the Content Specifications for the examination
in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Founded in 1977, The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
(NMTCB) lists the following as tasks performed by nuclear medicine
technologists in the NMTCB Content Specifications:
o # 35: “Select and administer the appropriate radiopharmaceutical by
the proper route.”
o #40: “Prepare/administer interventional pharmacologic agent.”
o #43: “Elute radionuclide generator, perform and evaluate quality
control tests.”
o #46: “Prepare and dispense diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.”
o #47: “Prepare and dispense therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.”
III. Identified component within scope of practice for nuclear medicine technologists,
practice standards and as well as included in the procedure guidelines for nuclear
medicine procedures

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) in a resolution
acknowledges “the preparation, identification and administration of contrast
media, radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications are within the scope of practice
of radiologic technologists with appropriate clinical and didactic education where
state statutes and/or institutional policy permit”.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) considers
“venipuncture to administer contrast media, radiopharmaceuticals and/or IV
medications is within the practice standards for radiologic technologists with
appropriate clinical and didactic education where state statutes and/or
institutional policy permit”.

Within the ASRT Nuclear Medicine Practice Standards, page 5.NM, lists “
Prepares and administers radiopharmaceutical dosages according to established
guidelines.”

The Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) states in NMT Scope of Practice
statement defines Radiopharmaceuticals as a major task of NMTs: Involves the
procurement, preparation, quality control, dispensing, dose calculation,
identification, documentation, administration, disposal, storage, and safe handling
of radioactive materials used by the nuclear medicine technologist.
o NMT Scope of Practice, Section III. A. “A nuclear medicine technologist
performs imaging procedures: 1. By preparing, evaluating and properly
administering the appropriate radiopharmaceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals
and contrast (under the direction of an authorized user)”.


SNMTS Performance and Responsibility Guidelines for the Nuclear Medicine
Technologist defines this practice even further under Section IV on
Radiopharmaceuticals.

The American College of Radiology, within the ACR Technical Standard for
Diagnostic Procedures Using Radiopharmaceuticals, Section IV.A.2 on
Radiopharmacy, defines the “Handling, preparation, and administration of
radiopharmaceuticals may be delegated to qualified personnel, subject to
applicable state or local laws.”

The ACR Practice Guideline for the Use of Intravascular Contrast Media under
page 22, subsection 1 defines Res.1-H, 1987, 1997, which states “The American
College of Radiology approves the injection of contrast material and diagnostic
levels of radiopharmaceuticals by certified and/or licensed radiologic technologists
and radiologic nurses under the direction of a radiologist or his or her physician
designee who is personally and immediately available, if the practice is in
compliance with institutional and state regulations. There must be prior written
approval by the medical director of the radiology department / service of such
individuals; such approval process having followed established policies and
procedures, and the radiologic technologists and radiologic nurses who have been
so approved maintain documentation of continuing medical education related to
the materials being injected and to the procedure being performed.”
Procedure protocols from SNM and Tyco Healthcare/Mallinckrodt illustrate the use
of pharmaceuticals in the nuclear medicine procedure.
Documents that Define the Profession of Nuclear Medicine Technology
Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section
www.snm.org


SNMTS Scope of Practice for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist
SNMTS Performance and Responsibilities Guidelines for the Nuclear Medicine
Technologist
 SNMTS Code of Ethics for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
 SNM Procedure Guideline for the Use of Radiopharmaceuticals
 The Practice of Nuclear Medicine Technology Survey Executive Summary
Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
www.nmtcb.org
 NMTCB Components of Preparedness
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear
www.jrcnmt.org
Medicine Technology

Essentials and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Nuclear
Medicine Technologist
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
www.asrt.org
 ASRT Nuclear Medicine Practice Standards
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
www.arrt.org

ARRT Content Specifications For The Examination in Nuclear Medicine
Technology
American College of Radiology
www.acr.org


ACR Technical Standard for Diagnostic Procedures Using Radiopharmaceuticals
ACR Practice Guideline For The Use Of Intravascular Contrast Media