Nuclear Medicine Technology Program
Program Description
General Characteristics of Persons Entering This Profession
- Aptitude and interest in math and sciences
- Interest in people and their welfare
- Good communication and listening skills
- Capability to organize and analyze information
- Interest in practical application of knowledge to new technology
- Desire to be a lifelong learner as the field evolves
Desirable High School Background
- Math -- prerequisite for many of the required science, computer, and statistics courses and used daily by nuclear medicine technologists. Algebra, geometry and trigonometry are therefore highly recommended. If not taken at a high school level, may be required at college level before being offered admission.
- Sciences -- courses with laboratory in chemistry, physics and animal biology are highly recommended as good preparation for the required college courses in each of these areas.
- English, Speech & Writing -- oral and written expression are an important part of all college work as well as the daily work of a nuclear medicine technologist.
- Social Sciences -- valuable for daily interaction with patients and coworkers.
- Foreign Language -- completion of four years in high school satisfies the University of Iowa B.S. degree requirement and results in more elective time in college.
Admission Requirements for Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Admission requirements vary, depending on whether the student is seeking an undergraduate (B.S.) degree or not (See following page titled "Admission Requirements" for specifics)
The NMT Program Clinical Year (12 months)
- More than 350 hours of classroom work in radiopharmacy, radiobiology, physics and instrumentation, radiation protection, patient care, radiochemistry and radioimmunology, medical terminology, applied anatomy and physiology, radioimmunoassay techniques, mathematics and statistics, administration and management, and computer applications. Most of the didactic coursework is completed in the first 4 months of the clinical year.
- More than 1500 hours of clinical experience at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics and the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Clinical rotations begin on the first day and involve progressive responsibility in performing nuclear imaging, radiopharmacy, radiobioassay, quality control, and computer acquisition and analysis.
For more information contact:
Tony Knight, MBA, CNMT, Director
Nuclear Medicine Technology Program
Department of Radiology
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1077
(319) 356 - 2954
E-mail: anthony-knight@uiowa.edu
