Nuclear Medicine Technologist Jobs
Nuclear medicine technology is one of the fastest-growing industries out there. And, as the Baby Boomers continue to get older and require more medical care, the number of nuclear medicine technology jobs is expected to go up even more.
With a job in nuclear medicine, you are right on the cutting edge of medicine. Nuclear medicine technology is being used to diagnose diseases sooner and treat patients more effectively. Nuclear medicine technology offers diagnostic tools that are far more advanced than X-rays and MRIs. Because they use radioactive materials and complex computers, nuclear medicine tools can help doctors spot tiny abnormalities that pop up early on in a disease. Spotting diseases like cancer sooner can mean the difference between life and death.
Most nuclear medicine technology jobs are found in hospitals. In fact, it's estimated that 70% of nuclear medicine technologists work in either a public or private hospital. However, there are also nuclear medicine technologists working in private doctors' offices, in clinics, and in research labs.
While nuclear medicine in a growing field, it is still a relatively small field. That means job opportunities can be somewhat limited. To make yourself stand out, you will need the right education and certification.
There are more than 100 accredited nuclear medicine technology programs around the country. If you are brand new to the medical industry, you can get either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in nuclear medicine. If you are a medical professional who's looking for something new, you can get a nuclear medicine certificate in a year.
When it comes to nuclear medicine technology jobs, the key is to get the right certification. Most states require nuclear medicine technologists to have a license, and most insurance companies will not pay for services done by a nuclear medicine technologist who isn't certified.
That's why most employers require nuclear medicine technology jobs to be filled by someone who is certified by either the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Both will require you to pass a test before you are officially certified. Before you head off to school, make sure your program offers certification by one of these entities.
If you're lucky enough to land one, nuclear medicine technology jobs can be very rewarding. A successful nuclear medicine technologist can help doctors spot diseases sooner, or help doctors figure out if treatments are working they way they're supposed to be. The work you do can make a huge difference in a patient's life!
