Nuclear Medicine Technology

Provided by Bellevue College

Nuclear medicine is a branch of radiology that uses radioactive materials to image the body and in some cases to cause a therapeutic effect. Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or therapeutic purposes. They work in hospitals, imaging centers and sometimes in physician offices.

About the Program

The program is a full-time, six consecutive quarter (18-month) program beginning in the fall of each academic year. Students enroll at Bellevue College for the core of the program and take the required Nuclear Medicine course work online. Students complete the required clinical internship at clinical facilities in the Tri-Cities area. For more information check out  Bellevue College website.

Degree Options

  • Bellevue College offers the opportunity to obtain an Associate of Arts degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology to a limited number of students.

What You'll Learn

The curriculum prepares students in all aspects of nuclear medicine technology.

Graduates of the Nuclear Medicine Technolgy program at Bellevue College should be able to:

• Demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of nuclear medicine practice. 

• Provide patient care as appropriate to a variety of situations encountered in nuclear medicine and in accordance with the scope of practice for nuclear medicine technologiest.

• Provide caring communications about exams and related information for patients and family members in such a way that patient cooperation is obtained and with consideration for cultural and age related factors is given.

• Perform nuclear medicine functions of all types including diagnostic and therapy procedures, quality control, radiopharmacy, and radiation safety, using the appropriate equipment for each function.

• Assess technical results of nuclear medicine functions and results and determine appropriate actions in response.

• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent decision-making as applied to nuclear medicine patients and procedures.

Program Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses for the Nuclear Medicine Program are:

ENGL& 101 - English Composition
MATH& 141 - Pre-Calculus
CHEM& 121 - Intro to Chemistry
CHEM& 131 - Intro to Organic & Biochemistry
PHYS& 114/115/116 - First year Physics sequence (algebra based)
BIOL& 241- Human Anatomy & Physiology I
BIOL& 242 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II

 

Upon successful program completion, students are eligible for national certification exams as well as Washington state licensure. Students who are not located in Washington state should verify that this program meets the educational requirements for licensure in their state or contact the Bellevue College staff for more information.

This exciting healthcare field is experiencing faster than average growth as America’s population ages. Additionally, Washington State is one of the top paying state for this occupation!

Contact:  
Jennifer Prekeges, Bellevue College
Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Chair
Jennifer.prekeges@bellevuecollege.edu
425-564-2475		  
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Application and Acceptance

Acceptance to the Nuclear Medicine program is selective and competitive. Applications are available on December 1 each year and are due at the end of February. Applicants are screened according to academic performance and timely completion of prerequisite courses and a two-step interview process. The program chair makes the final selection of students after all transcript screening and interview evaluation is completed by the acceptance committee. Course work begins in the fall after acceptance.

Steps in the Application Process:
1. Attend a virtual Information Session.

2. Make an appointment to observe at least two nuclear medicine departments, including at least one that is affiliated with the program. A form for documenting your visits is available on the program website: Bellevue College Nuclear Medicine Technology. Bring the completed form to the first interview.

3. Apply for college admissions. If you are new to Bellevue College or have not attended in the last four academic quarters, you must apply for college admission in addition to applying to the program. Note: To avoid paying an additional fee for the college application, you should apply for the college through the Apply Online link on this website when you submit your Nuclear Medicine Technology program application.

4. Application packet must include the following:
      a. Transcripts from all colleges you have attended
      b. Radiologic Sciences and Imaging programs application
      c. Current resume
      d. Reference letter from an employer (not a professor unless you were employed by them)
      e. A personal statement indicating why you are interested in becoming a nuclear
 medicine technologist and;
      f. $40 application fee

5. Mail application packet to: 
    Radiation and Imaging Sciences, A242
    Bellevue College
    3000 Landerholm Circle SE
    Bellevue, WA 98007-6484

Most nuclear medicine technologists work in hospitals. However, some will work in:

  • Physician’s office
  • Medical and Diagnostic laboratories
  • Imaging clinics


In a hospital setting, a nuclear medicine technologist may advance into these positions:

  • Lead technologist
  • Nuclear medicine supervisor
  • Advanced medical imaging manager
  • Radiology department administrator


Other areas of practice that nuclear medicine technologists may move into, depending on education level and/or advanced training:

  • Health physics
  • Medical physics
  • Applications technologist (e.g., for a company selling nuclear medicine equipment)
  • Research
  • Faculty for a nuclear medicine technology program

 

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