Career in nuclear medicine

Career in Nuclear Medicine Technology Dr. S. S. Verma, Department of Physics, S.L.I.E.T., Longowal, Distt.-Sangrur (Punjab)-148 106.

Nuclear medicine Growth and scope is arising as each day passes by as with technological advancements, the development of new nuclear medicines, the growth in population and the decrease in mortality of the old aged people.

People today are extra health conscious and the awareness among them about the newer diagnostic tools has led to an increase in the scope for Nuclear Medicine Technologists. The research and development of cancer detecting and killing agents such as genetically engineered antibodies, the expanded use of exciting new technology known as PET and the development of new radio pharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes has thus made nuclear medicine to be in the forefront of modern medicine. Today new diseases are diagnosed; this is only possible with developing diagnostic imaging. As population is more concerned about health and thus believe in accurate early diagnosis and treatment.

Thus nuclear medicine technology has become a boon to the technologists as well as the patients in need. If you have a keen interest in the health sciences and computer technology and are looking for a people-oriented career, consider Nuclear Medicine Technology. Nuclear medicine combines chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and medicine in using radioactivity to diagnose and treat disease. Though there are many diagnostic techniques currently available, nuclear medicine uniquely provides information about both the structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body. It is this ability to characterize and quantify physiologic function which separates nuclear medicine from other imaging modalities, such as x-ray. Nuclear medicine procedures are safe; they involve little or no patient discomfort and do not require the use of anesthesia.

A degree in nuclear medicine technology is a passport for a bright future for the degree holder.

Nuclear Medicine course is a specialist field in which very small amounts of radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals are used to diagnose and treat disease. Though there are many diagnostic techniques currently available, nuclear medicine provides information about structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body. Nuclear Medicine technologists administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients and then monitor the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs in which the drugs localize. Abnormal areas show higher than expected or lower than expected concentrations of radioactivity. 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 the organ structures.

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Nuclear medicine technologist courses: Nuclear medicine technologists typically need an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in nuclear medicine technology. Technologists must be licensed in some states; requirements vary by state.

Some technologists become qualified by completing an associate’s or a bachelor's degree program in a related health field, such as radiologic technology or nursing, and then completing a 12-month certificate program in nuclear medicine technology. Generally, certificate programs are offered in hospitals, associate's degree programs are in community colleges, and bachelor's degrees are granted by colleges and universities. Nuclear medicine technology programs include clinical experience—practice under the supervision of a certified nuclear medicine technologist and a physician or surgeon who specializes in nuclear medicine. In addition, these programs often include courses in human anatomy and physiology, physics, chemistry, radioactive drugs, and computer science. There are many reputed institutions all over the country offering full time/part-time nuclear medicine courses like Diploma, B.Sc., M.Sc. PG Diploma, MD and Ph.D. with fixed entry qualifications, cost of course and duration. With essential minimum qualifications, one can select the desired course suitable locally and financially to apply as per terms and conditions of admission (merit or common entrance tests).

• Diploma in nuclear medicine technology: duration of course is 2 years and the eligibility is that the candidate must have completed10+2 with science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as subjects with 45% of minimum marks.

• B.Sc. in nuclear medicine technology: duration of course is 3 years and the eligibility is that the candidate must have completed 10+2 with science subjects Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The candidate must have scored a minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying examination.

• M.Sc. in nuclear medicine technology: duration of course is 2 years and the eligibility is that the candidate must have either completed a B.Sc in nuclear medicine technology, or a candidate possessing BSc with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics/Biology or B.Sc in life sciences with Physics as a main subject or B.Sc in Radio diagnosis (MRT), or Radiotherapy is eligible.

• A diploma in medical radioisotope techniques (one-year) is also offered where students who have 60% aggregate in BSc in chemistry, physics, life sciences, biophysics, BSc in nuclear medicine technology, BSc (medical radiological technology), MSc degree holders can also apply. Sponsored candidates with 55% aggregate in BSc can also apply.

• The Radiation Medicine Centre at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai offers two programmes to equip professionals for working in nuclear medicine centres. A diploma in radiation medicine (two years) is offered where MBBS students from a recognized university, who have completed their internship can apply. Postgraduate medical qualification-holders and sponsored candidates can also apply.

Career paths Nuclear medicine technologists are allied health professionals who, under the direction of an authorized user, are committed to applying the art and skill of their profession to optimize diagnostic evaluation and therapy through the safe and effective use of radiopharmaceuticals and adjunctive medications. There is high demand for nuclear medicine technologists globally. They can work as nuclear medicine technologists in the hospitals, at medical centers, OP imaging centers, public health institutions, research centers, government and private hospitals etc. They 2

have a flexible work schedule, where they can work either as full time technologists. They can also work as senior staff technologists. As they gain more experience, one can work in the field of research, as imaging industry sales representatives, as technical specialist and also as research and development specialists. Today they even work as supervisors and administrators in the health care industry and hospitals. Employment is expected to grow faster than average. Nuclear medicine technologists have a wide variety of alternative career paths available, including: Senior staff technologist, Research technologist, Technology program educator, Chief technologist, Team leader, lead or supervisor, Hospital administrator, Industry sales representative, technical specialist, or research-and-development specialist. After additional experience or training, a technologist can choose to specialize in positron emission tomography (PET) or nuclear cardiology (NCT). PET uses a machine that creates a three-dimensional image of a part of the body, such as the brain. NCT uses radioactive drugs to obtain images of the heart.

Patients exercise during the imaging process while the technologist creates images of the heart and blood flow. In addition to receiving general certification, technologists can earn specialty certifications that show their proficiency in specific procedures or on certain equipment. A technologist can earn certification in positron emission tomography (PET) or nuclear cardiology (NCT). Both fields require the technologist to have a high level of knowledge about the specific procedures and technologies involved. The NMTCB offers NCT and PET certification exams.

Job requirements and duties Radioactive drugs, known as radiopharmaceuticals, give off radiation, allowing special scanners to monitor tissue and organ functions. Abnormal areas show higher-than-expected or lower-thanexpected concentrations of radioactivity. Nuclear medicine technologists use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient’s body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients undergoing the scans. The radioactive drugs cause abnormal areas of the body to appear different from normal areas in the images. Physicians and surgeons then interpret the images to help diagnose the patient’s condition. Important qualities of a nuclear medicine technologist comprises as: ability to use technology, analytical skills, compassion, detail oriented, interpersonal skills and physical stamina. Nuclear medicine technologists typically do the following: • Explain imaging procedures to the patient and answer questions • Follow safety procedures to protect themselves and the patient from unnecessary radiation exposure • Examine machines to ensure that they are working properly • Prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to the patient • Monitor the patient to check for unusual reactions to the drugs • Operate equipment that creates images of areas in the body, such as images of organs • Keep detailed records of procedures Work environment Salaries in nuclear medicine are very good. Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is projected to grow 20 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations.

However, because it is a small occupation, the growth will result in only few hundred jobs. Upon successful completion of a nuclear medicine program, qualified technologists can be certified through examination by one of the national certifying agencies. Many employers and an increasing number of states now require certification or licensure. Nuclear medicine 3

technologists can improve their job prospects by earning a specialty certification, such as in positron emission tomography (PET) or nuclear cardiology (NCT). Nuclear medicine technologists held about 20,900 jobs in 2012. Technologists are on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients who are disabled. The industries that employed the most nuclear medicine technologists in 2012 were as follows: General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private (65%), Offices of physicians (21%), Medical and diagnostic laboratories (6%) and Outpatient care centers (2%).

Most nuclear medicine technologists work full time. Because imaging is sometimes needed in emergencies, some nuclear medicine technologists work evenings, weekends, or on call.

Although radiation hazards exist in this occupation, they are minimized by the use of gloves and other shielding devices. Nuclear medicine technologists wear badges that measure radiation levels in the radiation area. Instruments monitor their radiation exposure and detailed records are kept on how much radiation they get over their lifetime. When preparing radioactive drugs, technologists use safety procedures to minimize radiation exposure to patients, other healthcare workers, and themselves. Like other healthcare workers, nuclear medicine technologists may be exposed to infectious diseases. Nuclear medicine will continue to be a field at the forefront of modern clinical medicine and technological development. The future has never been brighter thanks to: • The development of new radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes • Promising research and development of cancer-detecting and cancer-killing agents, such as genetically engineered antibodies • The expanding clinical use of exciting new technology know as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which provides new and unique means of studying biochemistry and metabolism within living tissues.

Selection of courses and institutes The courses offered in this program are specially designed in order to meet the academic as well as clinical necessities and requirements for health professional education. In the professional stream of nuclear medicine technology, the mode of learning is focused on all those areas in which the professionals are expected to work as technologists. These areas include pediatric hospitals and adult tertiary care hospitals. The list of courses and institutes present here is only a small collection just to act as introductory guidelines for the applicant.

Diploma in radiation medicine • Army Hospital Research & Referral, New Delhi (Delhi University) • Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai • Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, New Delhi (Delhi University) • Tata Memorial centre, Mumbai B.Sc. nuclear medicine technology • Amity Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, Noida , Delhi NCR • College of Allied Health Sciences : Manipal University, Manipal (Karnataka) Manipal (Udupi Dist.) - 576119 • Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM University, Kancheepuram , Tamil Nadu • Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Chennai , Tamil Nadu • MIOT Academy of Allied Health Science, Chennai , Tamil Nadu 4

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Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) 69, Anna Slai, Guindy , Chennai (Chennai Dist.) - 600032

Master of Science in nuclear medicine technology • All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi (Delhi) Safdarjung Enclave, Aurobindo Marg, Ansari Nagar , New Delhi (Delhi) - 110029 • Amity Institute of Space Science and Technology, Noida (Uttar Pradesh) Block – J2, Ground Floor Amity University Campus Sector-125 , Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar Dist.) – 201303 • Centre for Nuclear Medicine, Panjab University, Chandigarh , Punjab • College of Allied Health Sciences : Manipal University, Manipal (Karnataka) Manipal (Udupi Dist.) – 576119 • Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh - Other , Andhra Pradesh • Kishinchand Chellaram College, Mumbai , Maharashtra • Mahatama Jyoti Rao Phoole University, College of Engineering & technology, Jaipur , Rajasthan • Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal , Karnataka • School of Chemical & Biotechnology, Sastra University, Thanjavur , Tamil Nadu Ph.D. nuclear medicine technology • All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi (Delhi) Safdarjung Enclave, Aurobindo Marg, Ansari Nagar , New Delhi (Delhi) - 110029 • Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) Raebareli Road , Lucknow (Lucknow Dist.) – 226014 • Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai (Maharashtra) Dr. E Borges Road, Parel , Mumbai (Mumbai Dist.) - 400012 Post Graduate Diploma in nuclear medicine technology • Department of Physics, Sambalpur University, Orissa / Odisha - Other , Orissa / Odisha • Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore (Karnataka) Hosur Road , Bangalore (Bengaluru Dist.) - 560029 • Madras Medical Mission, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) 4-A, Dr. J. Jayalalitha Nagar, Mogappair , Chennai (Chennai Dist.) - 600037

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