Nuclear Medicine Technology - Certificate
Questions / More Information
(423) 697-4450 | Request Information
Deadline Dates
Program Admission
It is mandatory that all students attend an information session each academic year, even if they have attended in a previous year. There are two ways to experience a Nuclear Medicine Technology info session, and both are valid.
Who Are Nuclear Medicine Technologists?
Nuclear Medicine Technologists are members of the diagnostic imaging health care team. The technologists actively participate in the performance of diagnostic imaging procedures which analyze both the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Nuclear Medicine imaging procedures are performed through the administration of a radioactive pharmaceutical which is then analyzed with gamma cameras. In addition, Nuclear Medicine Technologists use radioactive drugs for therapeutic procedures involving certain diseases.
Choose Your Program
Chattanooga State offers two Nuclear Medicine Technology programs:
- AAS degree
- Certificate. (This webpage covers the Certificate option.)
Graduate Achievement Data
Graduate Achievement data is an indicator of program effectiveness, demonstrating the extent to which a program achieves its goals. The current report is available here.
Program Information
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate Program is only available to students who can perform clinic within a 6-hour radius at one of our affiliates in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Students only perform rotations at an affiliated clinical facility. A list of current clinical affiliates is available here. The Program requires full-time dedication, with clinical rotations for four 8.5-hour days and one full day of live virtual instruction.
- The NMT certificate program consists of 39 semester credits. Classes and clinics are integrated to require 40 hours per week.
- The NMT Certificate program lasts 12 months. It begins every August and ends the following August.
- The NMT Certificate program is well established and has been graduating students since 1994.
- The NMT Certificate program also provides preparation for the ARRT and/or NMTCB certification exams in nuclear medicine technology.
- The NMT Certificate program faculty are very involved in the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, have held national offices, and are well respected in the nuclear medicine community.
- The NMT program offers study-abroad opportunities. Students in the program have traveled to Portugal, England, and Australia.
- The NMT AAS program has specific requirements for prospective students. The Nuclear Medicine Technology - Application Checklist provides detailed admission criteria and application instructions..
Accreditation
The Nuclear Medicine Technology program is an accredited program, therefore, graduates are eligible to take both the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board Exam (NMTCB) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Nuclear Medicine board exam upon graduation. Attempting either or both of the exams is not a requirement of graduation, however, many employers require certification/registration as a criteria for employment. In addition, some states require licensure as a condition for employment. Though many states will accept the NMTCB and ARRT credentials in lieu of sitting for a state licensure exams, it has not been determined whether this program satisfies the requirements of all states and territories for licensure. It is the responsibility of the applicant to inquire of the state licensure board within which they live or plan to work in order to determine whether graduation from this program meets state requirements.
Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
820 W. Danforth Rd., #B1
Edmond, OK 73003
(405) 285-0546, FAX (405) 285-0579
Mission
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program provides educational opportunities that reflect the current practice of nuclear medicine technology, resulting in high-quality patient care by competent, professional, entry-level nuclear medicine technologists through various didactic and clinical experiences.
Goals
- To provide an exceptional collaborative program that addresses the societal demand for skilled and capable medical imaging and therapeutic professionals in association with our partner institutions.
- To educate individuals in nuclear medicine to become knowledgeable, confident, and responsible healthcare providers.
- To foster the growth of intellectual abilities, professional attitudes, and values that will facilitate constant learning and development beyond graduation.
- To assist students and graduates in obtaining career opportunities that use relevant knowledge, skills, and personal attributes.
Career Opportunities
Career advancement opportunities in nuclear medicine technology are excellent. Employment opportunities are abundant across the USA for graduates who have passed the registry exam. Hospitals and clinics nationwide require qualified nuclear medicine technologists to meet the growing demand for patient services. This creates diverse job opportunities in supervision/management, education/research, and positron emission tomography.
Gainful Employment Disclosures
- Ability to move wheelchairs, stretchers, etc., alone or with assistance as available. Must be able to lift, support, and/or transfer a morbidly obese patient in a 2–3 person transfer.
- Ability to visualize patient for identification, positioning, camera placement and alignment and image analysis. Ability to move the body and body regions in order to provide patient care and support and to position patient for imaging and/or treatment.
- Ability to reach, position, and operate imaging tables, camera control panels, collimators, dose calibrators, etc., at standard locations and placements.
- Ability to safely administer radiopharmaceuticals and appropriately handle vials, syringes, sterile items, pharmaceuticals, catheters, IVs, etc.
- Ability to read written passages, to communicate orally and to write. Ability to hear or lip read for reception of spoken communication.
- Ability and stamina to withstand lengthy periods of physical activity including moving quickly and continuously.
- Ability to perceive events realistically, to think clearly and rationally and to function independently in routine, stress and/or emergency situations.
- Ability to properly visualize and distinguish subtle changes in image detail.
- Ability to properly label images with information necessary for identification and interpretation and evaluate the quality of the image for accuracy.
Program Cost
| First Semester (16 hours) (fall) | In-state | *Out-of-state eRate |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 2363.00 | 4267.00 |
| Nursing & Allied Health Fee | 400.00 | 400.00 |
| Truescreen: my Record Tracker Fee: | 17.50 | 17.50 |
| Upload documentation for: | ||
| Physical Exam and Required Tests (estimate) | 150.00 | 150.00 |
| Hepatitis B (estimate) | 175.00 | 175.00 |
| Student Liability Insurance | 11.05 | 11.05 |
| Radiation Badges (estimate) | 75.00 | 75.00 |
| CPR Certification Course | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Truescreen Criminal Background Check | 24.50 | 24.50 |
| Truescreen Drug Screen (12 panel) | 39.00 | 39.00 |
| Textbooks and Supply Costs (estimate) | 500.00 | 500.00 |
| Lab Coat | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Trajecsys | 100.00 | 100.00 |
| TB Skin Test | 65.00 | 65.00 |
| Uniform | 200.00 | 200.00 |
| Subtotal | 4195.05 | 6099.05 |
| Second Semester (12 hours) (spring) | In-state | *Out-of-state eRate |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 2215.00 | 3241.00 |
| Nursing & Allied Health Fee | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| Subtotal | 2515.00 | 3541.00 |
| Third Semester (12 hours) (summer) | In-state | *Out-of-state eRate |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 2215.00 | 3241.00 |
| Nursing & Allied Health Fee | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | 100.00 | 100.00 |
| ARRT | 200.00 | 200.00 |
| NMTCB | 175.00 | 175.00 |
| Passport Photo for ARRT(N) Application | 15.00 | 15.00 |
| Subtotal | 3005.00 | 4031.00 |
| Total | 9,450.05 | 13,398.05 |
| * Out of state maintenance total is calculated from the eRate Fee Table. |
|---|
Costs Disclaimer
These are estimated program costs. Actual costs may vary due to changes in tuition and/or fee increases as determined by the Tennessee Board of Regents. This list does not include expenses for lodging and other expenses incurred during class scheduled times. Students are responsible for the cost of uniforms/lab coats for clinic.
Note: College fees are included in the maintenance cost. To view current calculation tables, refund policies, fee payment info, the refund calendar, and more, the Chattanooga State Financial webpage.