Allegheny
Associate of Science
Nuclear medicine is an imaging health science that is used to diagnose and treat disease states. Nuclear medicine technologists administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients and then image with specialized cameras to determine the precise location of the radiopharmaceutical. Nuclear medicine differs from other diagnostic imaging technologies because it determines the presence of disease on the basis of metabolic changes rather than changes in organ structure.
Admission is limited by the availability of clinical sites and the requirements of a national accrediting agency. Students must meet pre-program requirements, which include the successful completion of Intermediate Algebra (MAT 108 ) and Basic Physics (PHY 100 ), Biology (BIO 110 or BIO 151 ) and Chemistry (CHM 109 or CHM 110 /CHM 111 ) with a grade of C or better in the past 5 years. Applicants must be high school graduates and eligible for all college-level courses. Students must also submit a separate Allied Health application and complete a career exploration at a hospital in the Nuclear Medicine department.
This program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), 820 W. Danforth Road, #B1, Edmond, OK 73003; 405.285.0546, www.jrcnmt.org.
The mission of the program is to provide students with affordable, comprehensive and innovative didactic and clinical education in nuclear medicine technology to prepare them to become competent, professional nuclear medicine technologists in a complex global society.
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform nuclear medicine procedures in the clinical setting.
- Utilize radiation safety practices in daily operations in a nuclear medicine department including radiopharmaceuticals, imaging and therapeutic procedures.
- Combine critical thinking, problem solving and compassionate patient care in an ethical and professional manner.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients and members of the healthcare team.
See Nuclear Medicine Technology Program for more information.