Nuclear Medicine Technology

A pivotal figure in disease diagnosis and treatment, the nuclear medicine technologist assumes a crucial role. Merging chemistry, physics, mathematics, information technology, and medicine, nuclear medicine employs radioactivity for both diagnosis and treatment. This sophisticated discipline offers insights into the intricate workings of virtually every major organ system within the human body.

As a nuclear medical technologist, your responsibilities encompass the preparation and administration of radioactive compounds (radiopharmaceuticals), execution of patient imaging procedures using specialized instruments, and processing images and data analysis, for physicians to perform diagnostic interpretation. Nuclear Medicine Technology contributes to the diagnosis, treatment, and therapy of a wide array of diseases and conditions. Upon graduation, your newfound expertise will seamlessly merge with your intrinsic passion for aiding others. 

While a college degree or a current radiology degree is an asset, it is not necessary to apply to the program. Certain criteria are required for the application process and acceptance into the program.

To ensure a smooth academic journey, it is strongly advised that interested students establish early contact with a Health Sciences advisor at Midlands Technical College. Collaborating with an advisor will help you create an educational plan tailored to fulfill all program requirements effectively. Additionally, after application, you will need to complete the following:

• Attend a mandatory information session.
• Perform two clinical observations.
• Provide two letters of recommendation (employers or if no work history, instructors)
• Successfully complete a formal interview

The Nuclear Medicine Certificate is an advanced program offered at the Airport Campus.

Application Information

Eligible Applicant Requirements

In addition to general Health Sciences Program requirements, specific requirements for attaining application eligibility status for the NMT program include one of the following:

• AAS degree in progress, with MTC's prerequisites for Associate in Applied Science in General Technology/Health Care (AAS.GEN.NMT), with a cumulative ≥ 2.75.​
• Associate Degree, with MTC's or transferrable prerequisites for Associate in Applied Science in General Technology (AAS-GEN-NMT), with a cumulative ≥ 2.75.
• Bachelor’s Degree, with MTC's or transferrable prerequisites for Associate in Applied Science in General Technology (AAS-GEN-NMT), with a cumulative ≥ 2.75.

How Do I Apply?

For application inquiries, please reach out to a Health Sciences Advisor. They will guide you through the process, including reviewing your transcript and helping you formulate a pathway to adequately prepare for the application. Subsequently, the Health Sciences Advisor will provide you with detailed instructions regarding the subsequent stages of the application process.

You can also click here to review Midlands Technical College's enrollment steps.

Summary of Steps to Acceptance

1. Apply to the program – must meet with your advisor – they contact Admissions to get the app sent to your email.
2. Complete degree and prerequisites (to include NMT 100 preparation for clinic offered in Summer) prior to starting the program (starts in Fall each year). You CAN APPLY to the program without degree completion (speak with your advisor).
3. Attend at least one Information Session (ask your advisor and/or Gracyn Johnson – administrative specialist - johnsong@midlandstech.edu).
4. Two hospital observations – scheduled by the Clinical Coordinator.
5. Submit two letters of recommendation to the program director. The letters should preferably come from an employer, previous employer, or if there is no work history, an instructor. The correspondence information for email is Snows@midlandstech.edu and the mailing address is 1260 Lexington Dr., Health Sciences Bldg, Suite 211, West Columbia, SC 29170.
6. Interview – held in Jan, Feb or March. If accepted, start the NMT 100 course in Summer
7. Start the program in the Fall of acceptance year.

Need More Information?

You can contact Nuclear Medicine Technology Contact Program Director, S. Crystal Snow, MHA, CNMT at Snows@midlandstech.edu.

Where Can I Work

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions in:

• Hospitals
• Private offices
• Imaging facilities
• Research facilities

What Will I Earn

Competitive starting salary as much as $75,500 per year or higher. 

What Will I Learn

The Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) listed below identify some of the major learning skills related to MTC’s Nuclear Medicine Technology Program and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

Student Learning Outcomes

SLO 1:  Students will possess the knowledge, technical and patient care skills, and proper effective, ethical and professional behavior, required for an entry-level nuclear medicine technologist.

SLO 2: Students will possess sound written and oral communication in the didactic and clinical environment.

SLO 3: Students will be professionally minded to value life-long learning opportunities.

SLO 4:  Students will operate imaging and non-imaging instrumentation, using appropriate radiation safety and radiopharmaceutical handling techniques to protect patients, self, and others.

In addition, program goals (PG) are outlined, which are related to MTC’s Nuclear Medicine Technology Program mission.

Program Goals

PG 1: Embrace an innovative learning environment that enhances teaching, learning and individual development. (Commitment to student)

PG 2: Prepare a workforce that meets the demands of the community. (Commitment to Customer Service)

PG 3: Collaborate with educational and community partners to create a responsive curriculum for a diverse population. (Commitment to excellence in education)

PG 4: Partner with community constituencies to enhance clinical education opportunities for students. (Quality clinical environment)

PG 5: Validate the program through a comprehensive assessment and evaluation process. (Quality outcome assessment)

PG 6: Engage in efficient, effective and innovative resource development and management, (Effective use of resources)

PG 7: Recruit, retain and develop exceptional faculty and staff. (Commitment to faculty and staff)

Important Program Information

Statement of Mission

The Nuclear Medicine Program is a comprehensive one-year certificate program which provides its students a high-quality, patient care, competency-based didactic and clinical education. The education provided prepares the students to enter the entry level job market in nuclear medicine, as well as instilling life-long learning values and assists them in achieving their professional and personal goals.

Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Student Outcome Data

View the program's student outcome data.

Essential Functions for the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program

View the program's essential standards and functions.

Accreditation

The Midlands Technical College Nuclear Medicine Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology and graduates are eligible to take the ARRT and the NMTCB examinations.

Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
820 W. Danforth Rd
Unit #B1
Edmond, OK 73003
Phone: (405) 285-0546
Visit the JRCNMT Website 

Professional Affiliations

Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)

Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)

South Carolina Society of Nuclear Medicine (SCSNM)

The American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

Graduate Achievement

The current report on graduate achievement data, identified by program, is available on the JRCNMT website by clicking on the following link: Graduate Achievement Report.

Admission Criteria

Complete all prerequisites and all coursework within the required AAS.GEN.NMT degrees, as assigned by the nuclear medicine technology faculty and/or health science advisor. Each course must be completed with at least a “C.” An overall GPA of 2.75 must be maintained in the prescribed coursework. No prerequisite AAS.GEN.NMT course may be repeated more than once; no more than two courses may be repeated.  

Prerequisite General Education Courses

Course	Credit Hours
AHS 102 - Medical Terminology	3.0
COL 106 - Skills for College Success	1.0
BIO 210 - Anatomy and Physiology I	4.0
BIO 211 - Anatomy and Physiology II	4.0
CHM 110 - College Chemistry I or CHM 105 - General Organic and Biochemistry	4.0
ENG 160 - Technical Communications	3.0
MAT 110 - College Algebra	3.0
PSY 201 - General Psychology	3.0
PHI 115 - Contemporary Moral Issues	3.0
PHY 201 - Physics I	4.0
NMT 100 - Preparation for Clinic (Mandatory for all accepted NMT students; Offered only in summer semester)	6.0

Recommended Additional Courses

Course	Credit Hour
These courses are supplemental depending on the student's degree track and/or transferable credits.
AHS 117 - The Care of Patients or AHS 127 - Basic Patient Care (3.0 credits)	4.0
AHS 131 - Computers in Healthcare	3.0
AHS 141 - Phlebotomy	3.0
AHS 145 - (Lecture)  Electrocardiography	2.0
AHS 156 - (Lab for AHS 145) Electrocardiography Practicum	1.0

Clinical Requirements

Students are accepted contingent upon successful completion of the health form, criminal background investigation, and drug screening.

Students must present BLS CPR certification (adult, infant, and child) and first-aid certification cards at the time of advisement before entering their first nuclear medicine course. The CPR certification must be kept current while in the program. Students who are not certified radiologic technologists will be required to complete NMT 100–Preparation for Clinic during the summer semester prior to beginning professional courses.

In order to graduate from the NMT program, students must complete each course with at least a “C.” No courses having an NMT prefix may be repeated.