Nuclear Medicine Technology, B.S.

Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses safe, painless and cost-effective techniques to image the body and treat disease. Nuclear medicine uses very small amounts of radioactive materials to diagnose and treat disease using gamma or PET/CT scanners. Nuclear medicine imaging is unique in that it documents organ function and structure. It is a method of gathering information that may otherwise be unavailable, require surgery or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests.

Today, nuclear medicine offers procedures that are helpful to a broad span of medical specialties, from pediatrics to cardiology and oncology. There are almost 100 different nuclear medicine imaging procedures available that include every major organ of the human body.

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT) prepares a graduate for an entry-level position as a nuclear medicine technologist. The program includes all basic sciences, as well as a 12-month intensive NMT curriculum that includes 1000 hours of clinical practicum. The nuclear medicine technology program offers curriculum tracks in pre-physician assistant and pre-medicine. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible for national certification to become a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT).

Nuclear medicine technology (NMT) students are encouraged to join and participate in the functions of the Saint Louis University Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapeutics Club.

Curriculum Overview

Advantages to earning your B.S. in nuclear medicine technology at Saint Louis University include:

• Opportunities to participate in professional conferences with faculty and fellow students
• A curriculum with an interprofessional focus to build a team approach to health care
• A flexible curriculum that allows adding a minor or studying abroad
• Medically relevant coursework ideal for pre-professional studies
• Undergraduate opportunities to conduct research and produce projects/papers acceptable for publication and presentation at professional conferences
• Pre-medicine and pre-physician assistant curriculum options
• Student-tailored educational curriculum and individual mentorship by faculty in the NMT profession
• The NMT program contains a strong science curriculum which aids in preparation for immediate job placement as well as future graduate-level education.
• The NMT program has exceptional clinical preceptors and training sites located conveniently within the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Professional coursework in the nuclear medicine technology program is concentrated in the last year of study. Students in the NMT program have opportunities to conduct research and produce projects and papers that are acceptable for publication and could be presented at professional conferences.

Careers

Benefits of SLU's nuclear medicine technology program also include several career opportunities. Graduates can work as technologists in hospitals and clinics. Students may seek positions in information technology, healthcare administration, sales and training, radiopharmacy labs, teaching and other related fields.

Nuclear medicine provides an excellent pre-med curriculum. About 20 percent of graduates proceed to graduate school, with about 50 percent of the remaining class enrolling in graduate school within five years of employment. Many students attend graduate school part-time, with assistance from their place of employment.

Career advancement opportunities from the position of staff technologist may lead to areas of administration, education, sales or research.

A nuclear medicine technologist has many responsibilities that encompass a wide range of skills. Some responsibilities include:

• Preparing, calibrating and administering radioactive chemical compounds, known as radiopharmaceuticals.
• Performing diagnostic imaging procedures using radiation-detection technology.
• Administering radioactive tracers used to image the organs of the human body.
• Operating imaging technology, laboratory and computer instrumentation.
• Providing images, data analysis and patient information to the physician for diagnostic interpretation.

The median annual wage for nuclear medicine technologists is $75,660 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Admission Requirements

Factors considered for admission include academic performance, class rank, college admission test scores, and high school profile.

Admission criteria include:

• ACT composite score of at least 22, with no subsection lower than 20 or equivalent SAT scores
• Minimum GPA of 2.70/4.00

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers a scholarship to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
820 W. Danforth Rd. #B1
Edmond, OK 73003
(405) 285-0546
http://jrcnmt.org

Additional Accreditation Information

JRCNMT Graduate Outcomes Report

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate Jesuit values as they perform diagnostic imaging procedures.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective communication skills with both patients and other healthcare professionals in the nuclear medicine department.
3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
4. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to translate didactic knowledge into clinical practice as a nuclear medicine technologist.
5. Graduates will be able to exhibit professional characteristics expected of nuclear medicine technologists.

Students in Saint Louis University's nuclear medicine technology major take the following courses. 

Standard Track

Pre-Medicine Track

Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholar Track

2+2 Option for Students with Associate Degree in Radiography

Total semester credits vary based on applicable courses complete in undergraduate program. Specific course plan is individually designed for each applicant.

Second Degree Option for Students with Bachelor's Degree

Total semester credits vary based on applicable courses complete in undergraduate program) Specific course plan is individually designed for each applicant.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.70 to remain in good standing.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Standard Track

Pre-Medicine Track

Program Notes

Curriculum is designed to address SLU’s Medical School requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a Medical School at another institution, please consult their website for specific requirements.

Pre-Physician Assistant Track

Program Notes

Curriculum is designed to address SLU’s PA Program requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a PA Program at another institution, please consult their website for specific requirements.

Physician Assistant Scholars Track

Program Notes

Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students will proceed directly into SLU’s graduate-level PA program.

2+2 Option for Students with Associate Degree in Radiography

Program Notes

Selection for student admission is on a space available basis, and final acceptance decision is made by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Director.

Second Baccalaureate Degree Track

Courses to Be Taken at Saint Louis University

Program Notes

This 12-month program is identical to the senior year of the degree option. Successful completion leads to a second baccalaureate degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology. This option is for a student who already possesses a bachelor’s degree and is motivated to become a practicing Nuclear Medicine Technologist in 12 months.

To be considered for the second baccalaureate degree option, the applicant must have satisfactorily completed a baccalaureate degree, with a minimum GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale), including the prerequisite courses listed above.

The applicant must complete the application for the professional year and submit official transcripts of prior college work through the SLU admission website at http://www.slu.edu. Application deadline is August 1^st.

The applicant must show satisfactory evidence of good character and physical ability to perform functions of the Nuclear Medicine Technologist. All applicants must meet the professional performance and technical standards required by the profession. Students must also successfully complete a drug screen and criminal background check prior to the start of the professional year.

Application to the 12-month option is via a competitive application process with admission granted on a space-available basis. The selection process includes a personal interview for qualified applicants.

Selection Factors: Among the parameters considered by the Selection Committee are:

• Applicant’s academic potential as evidenced by previous performance in college
• Specific motivation toward pursuit of a health care profession
• Evidence of sound judgment
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Job shadowing of a Nuclear Medicine Department is highly recommended