Nuclear Medicine Technology

B.S. Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology

MISSION

The mission of the program is to provide the health community with intelligent and technically capable technologists who understand the complexity of imaging systems protocols and performance of patient studies.

GOALS

• To develop a solid foundation of general nuclear medicine facts and concepts and the ability to apply this accumulated knowledge to imaging situations.
• To become technologically competent in the operation of imaging, laboratory and computer instrumentation.
• To develop a knowledge base of patient care and management so as to provide optimal patient care.
• To understand and implement radiation safety guidelines and quality control measures.
• To become competent in the preparation and administration of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications when needed.
• To develop effective writing and speaking skills to communicate with patients, the medical community, and society in general.
• To develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• To provide an environment that instills integrity and a sense of responsibility.
• To graduate competent nuclear medicine technologists to help meet the employment needs of the Lehigh Valley hospitals and other hospitals in the middle Atlantic region.
• To provide a liberal arts education as a foundation for future advancement.

ADMISSION TO THE MAJOR

The program is extremely demanding both mentally and physically for the entire one year clinical experience. Please give great thought to the demands of the program prior to declaring a major and applying to the program.

Prior to declaring a major in Nuclear Medicine Technology the following requirements must be met:

1. Completed with a grade of C or above in the following courses:
   1. BIO 121 and 122
   2. CHEM 111 and 112
   3. BIO 217 and 218 (Anatomy and Physiology)
   4. BIO 236 (Cell and Molecular Biology)
   5. MAT 110 and 140 (or College Algebra)
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.

Traditional students may declare the major at the end of their sophomore year. Students are required to have earned a grade of C or better in all required courses for the major and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 to remain in the program.

Transfer students may declare the major after completion of the above criteria and achieving a cumulative (past and present) GPA of 2.75. Students are required to have earned a grade of C or better in all required courses for the major and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 to remain in the program.

Acceptance into the clinical year is competitive and not guaranteed by satisfaction of the minimum requirements. It is based on academic performance (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75), the available number of positions in the clinical program and student interviews conducted by the educational and clinical program coordinators.

Students majoring in Nuclear Medicine Technology are required to complete a clinical experience. Because this requirement necessitates working with the public in a professional setting, it is important that the student has advanced interpersonal skills, mature judgment and appropriate professional demeanor. Thus faculty will review students prior to the clinical experience and make recommendations up to and including removal from placement.

ADMISSION TO THE CLINICAL YEAR

Nuclear Medicine Technology, as any profession, has some potential risks/hazards related to the occupation; students may be exposed to ionizing radiation, blood and body fluids including urine, feces, vomitus, etc. on a daily basis. Students are required to learn and perform venipuncture and to inject radiopharmaceuticals. Nuclear Medicine Technology students are required to assess patients and provide general nursing care to patients while in nuclear medicine departments of our affiliated hospitals.

An extensive amount of verbal communication and self motivation is required in the clinical year. If you are a shy, introverted individual who prefers to stand back and observe before attempting something new and/or who hesitates to speak up, please consider other career options. The clinical year is accelerated and students are required to immediately begin interacting with patients and instructors and attempting procedures.

No student will be allowed to begin the clinical year without documentation that she/he meets all of the following requirements:

1. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
2. Have completed the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program application and letter of intent forms.
3. Have successfully completed an interview with the NMT program director and clinical coordinators.
4. Have a completed Health History Form and Physical exam form.
5. Titers documenting immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis B. Proof of Tetanus/Diptheria (TD or Tetanus/Diptheria/acellular Pertussis (Tdap) within the last ten years.
6. Have a negative two-step TB skin test within three months prior to start date.
7. Have completed a CPR Certification (Health Care Professional Level)
8. Have completed one of the following:
   • If the student is a Pennsylvania state resident and has been for the preceding two years:
     1. PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance
   • If the student is not a Pennsylvania state resident or has not been a state resident for the preceding two years:
     1. PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance
     2. FBI Identification Record Request – Federal Criminal History Check
   • Have completed and submitted a Child Abuse Check.
   • Have proof of health insurance. CCC health insurance is acceptable
   • Have completed all other documents required by the affiliated teaching hospitals.
   • Return the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program application and letter of intent forms to the NMT Program Director no later than 5:00p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the last day of classes, fall semester.
   • Incomplete and/or late applications and letters will not be considered for admission into the clinical year.

There are mandatory standards of minimally acceptable professional conduct for all persons applying for examination and certification by ARRT and NMTCB in order to become a Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

Candidates who have convictions, criminal proceedings, or court-martials as described below may be required to submit a pre-application review of eligibility for certification in order to obtain a ruling as to their eligibility for certification and registration as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

1. Conviction of a crime, including a felony, a gross misdemeanor, or a misdemeanor, with the sole exception of speeding and parking violations. All alcohol and /or drug related violations must be reported. Offenses that occurred while a juvenile and that are processed through the juvenile court system are not required to be reported.
2. Criminal proceeding where a finding or verdict of guilt is made or returned but the adjudication of guilt is either withheld, deferred, or not entered or the sentence is suspended or stayed; or a criminal proceeding where the individual enters a plea of guilty or nolo contender (no contest).
3. Military court-martials that involve substance abuse, any sex-related infractions, or patient-related infractions.

Clinical Training in Nuclear Medicine Technology
The nuclear medicine clinical training begins early June and ends in April of the following year. Students in the clinical year of this program will earn Cedar Crest College credit and will pay one-half of the comprehensive nonresident student tuition fee. Resident students will also pay the fullroom and board fee.

The training is performed in nuclear medicine departments of the program’s affiliated hospitals. Teaching and clinical instructors are physicians, physicists and technologists on the hospital staffs. Students progress and performance are monitored by the program director, who makes periodic visits to the hospital departments. Readings, problem assignments and project work are an integral part of the student’s clinical training.

The hospital training includes the following areas: radionuclide imaging and external monitoring; radiation safety and protection; patient positioning and nursing procedures; and nuclear medicine administrative procedures. Students are required to learn and perform venipuncture and to inject radiopharmaceuticals. The training also includes: nuclear oncology, nuclear cardiology, molecular imaging (PET,and PET/CT), single photon emission tomography, immunology and cross-sectional anatomy. Thirty one credits are awarded for the satisfactory completion of the clinical year.

Travel Policies
Travel to, from and within the affiliated hospitals is the responsibility of the student.

Health Requirements
Dental and eye examinations, immunizations and an annual complete physical examination are required, as well as freedom from any physical, mental, or drug impairment that would prohibit the candidate from practicing as a professional nuclear medicine technologist.

The granting of a degree from Cedar Crest College is no guarantee that you will be licensed, certified, or accepted for practice by professional licensing agencies.

The program spans four years, the first three of which are spent on campus. The fourth year consists of clinical training at our approved affiliated hospitals: Lehigh Valley Hospital, I-78 & Cedar Crest Boulevard in Allentown; St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem.