Occupation · SOC 29-2033
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.
Median wage
$97,020
$75,570–$128,090
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
16,960
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
27 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningWritingReading ComprehensionMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationScienceJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationOperations MonitoringMathematicsComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningTime ManagementOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisInstructingPersuasionLearning StrategiesManagement of Personnel ResourcesTroubleshootingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisNegotiationEquipment MaintenanceEquipment SelectionRepairingManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceBiologyEnglish LanguagePhysicsMedicine and DentistryChemistryComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityAdministrativeEducation and TrainingPsychologyAdministration and ManagementEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingLaw and GovernmentMechanicalSociology and AnthropologyTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTherapy and CounselingEconomics and AccountingPersonnel and Human ResourcesForeign LanguageTransportationPhilosophy and TheologySales and MarketingDesignGeographyBuilding and ConstructionHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Electronic medical record EMR softwareGamma camera softwareMEDITECH softwareMedovation RadRunnerMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordRadiopharmacy inventory databases
Representative tasks
Assisting and Caring for OthersWorking with ComputersDocumenting/Recording InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGetting InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Radiopharmaceutical administration procedures — assist with intravenous delivery under direct physician supervision in a clinical nuclear medicine suite.Gamma camera operation — identify basic controls and positioning techniques under guidance during routine diagnostic imaging sessions.Radiation dosage records — calculate and enter prescribed dosage amounts into a computer system following established protocols and physician orders.Patient imaging results — record procedural data and preliminary image outputs using departmental software under supervisor review.Radiopharmaceutical stock preparation — follow written safety protocols to prepare unit doses while minimizing radiation exposure in a shielded laboratory setting.Patient communication — explain basic test procedures and radiation safety precautions to patients using approved departmental scripts before imaging appointments.Cardiac function study data — enter raw scan data into computer-based processing software under the direction of an experienced technologist.Film and digital image production — generate basic computer or film images from completed scans for physician interpretation with supervisor verification.Radiation safety standards — recognize and apply personal protective equipment and shielding requirements in daily nuclear medicine operations.Medical imaging software — navigate electronic records and scheduling systems to retrieve patient files and document procedural outcomes in a hospital setting.
developing
Radiopharmaceutical administration — independently administer prescribed intravenous radiopharmaceuticals to patients in routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within a clinical nuclear medicine department.Body distribution mapping — operate gamma cameras to detect and map radiopharmaceutical uptake throughout patient anatomy, producing accurate photographic and computer images with minimal oversight.Cardiac function studies — process and analyze multi-gated acquisition and stress test data using cardiac imaging software, flagging anomalies for physician review.Dosage calculation and documentation — accurately calculate, measure, and log radiation dosages received, administered, and disposed of in compliance with NRC and institutional regulations.Image quality assurance — evaluate computer-generated and film images for technical adequacy before submission to the interpreting physician, correcting positioning or acquisition errors as needed.Radiopharmaceutical preparation — prepare a variety of stock radiopharmaceuticals according to manufacturer and pharmacy protocols, maintaining contamination-control standards in a hot laboratory.Patient education and support — adapt explanations of test procedures and safety precautions to patients with varying health literacy levels, providing calm physical assistance during scanning.Procedure result processing — compile, format, and transmit finalized study results through PACS and electronic health record systems in a timely and accurate manner.Radiation monitoring — routinely monitor area and personnel dosimetry readings, reporting abnormal levels to radiation safety officers and adjusting work practices accordingly.Interdisciplinary coordination — communicate scan findings, patient status, and scheduling issues clearly with physicians, nurses, and administrative staff to maintain smooth departmental workflow.
proficient
Advanced radiopharmaceutical therapy — autonomously administer therapeutic doses of radiopharmaceuticals for complex disease treatment protocols, managing adverse reactions and adjusting technique based on patient response.Complex image acquisition and interpretation — operate and optimize gamma camera, SPECT, and SPECT/CT systems for non-routine diagnostic cases, producing high-quality images that guide differential diagnosis.Comprehensive cardiac imaging — independently process, quantify, and present cardiac function studies including ejection fraction analysis and wall-motion assessments using advanced cardiology software.Regulatory dosimetry compliance — design and oversee dosage calculation workflows that ensure full compliance with NRC, Agreement State, and institutional radiation protection regulations across all isotopes used.Quality control program execution — perform and interpret daily, weekly, and quarterly quality control tests on all nuclear medicine instrumentation, identifying drift and initiating corrective maintenance.Radiopharmaceutical production oversight — manage the preparation, labeling, and release of a full formulary of radiopharmaceuticals, resolving formulation problems and ensuring sterility and potency standards.Patient-centered care — recognize and respond to physical and psychological distress in patients with complex comorbidities during scanning procedures, adapting protocols to accommodate individual needs.Cross-modal imaging integration — correlate nuclear medicine findings with CT, MRI, and PET datasets to provide contextually complete image packages for physician interpretation.Critical incident judgment — apply independent clinical and technical judgment to resolve equipment failures, unexpected patient reactions, or radiopharmaceutical quality issues during active procedures.Staff training facilitation — mentor new technologists and students through competency-based clinical rotations, providing structured feedback on technique, safety practices, and documentation.
advanced
Departmental strategy and standards — establish clinical protocols, quality benchmarks, and regulatory compliance frameworks for an entire nuclear medicine department aligned with Joint Commission and NRC requirements.Workforce development leadership — design and implement structured competency assessment programs that advance technologist skills from entry level through senior practice across a multi-site health system.Technology acquisition and implementation — lead evaluation, procurement, and installation of new nuclear medicine imaging systems and software platforms, coordinating vendor relations and staff readiness.Radiation safety program direction — serve as authorized user or radiation safety officer designee, directing institution-wide radiation protection policies and chairing safety committee reviews.Research and innovation — lead clinical research initiatives evaluating novel radiopharmaceuticals or imaging protocols, analyzing outcomes data and disseminating findings through peer-reviewed channels.Interdisciplinary program integration — partner with oncology, cardiology, and radiology leadership to develop integrated diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine service lines that improve patient outcomes.Operational performance management — analyze departmental productivity metrics, throughput data, and patient satisfaction scores using reporting software, implementing evidence-based process improvements.Budget and resource stewardship — oversee departmental capital and operating budgets including radiopharmaceutical procurement, dosimetry equipment, and staffing, optimizing cost-efficiency without compromising quality.Accreditation and regulatory leadership — guide nuclear medicine programs through ICANL or ACR accreditation cycles, ensuring documentation completeness and corrective action follow-through.Organizational advocacy and policy influence — represent nuclear medicine technologists at administrative, regulatory, and professional-society levels, shaping practice standards and advocating for patient safety improvements.
Also known as
16 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT)Isotope TechnicianIsotope TechnologistMedical Radiation DosimetristNuclear Cardiology TechnologistNuclear Medical TechnologistNuclear Medicine PET-CT Technologist (Nuclear Medicine Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography Technologist)Nuclear Medicine TechnicianNuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT)Nuclear TechnologistPET Technologist (Positron Emission Tomography Technologist)Radiation Safety OfficerRadioisotope TechnicianRadioisotope TechnologistRegistered Nuclear Medicine TechnologistStaff Nuclear Medicine Technologist