What Is a Nuclear Medicine Technologist? Overview, Education, Jobs

A nuclear medicine technologist (NMT) works with patients scheduled for medical imaging tests. An NMT  job requires a bachelor’s degree or completion of an approved two- to three-year-long college program in diagnostic radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine technology, or radiation therapy. Also, all provinces except Quebec and British Columbia require certification from the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists.

As a nuclear medicine technologist, you’ll work with various imaging equipment and administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients that show the tissues and organs needed for the scan. Learn more about what an NMT does, required education, job outlook and salary, and how to start this career.

What is a nuclear medicine technologist?

An NMT is a specially trained health care professional who works directly with patients needing medical imaging tests. As an NMT, you assist nuclear medicine physicians with nuclear medicine technology. 

Nuclear medicine technology is a medical process that uses imaging equipment to diagnose and treat a patient. Examples of imaging procedures are positron emission tomography (PET) and electrocardiogram (ECG).

You might also be referred to as an isotope or radioisotope technologist because you'll work with radioisotope equipment. You'll also give radiopharmaceuticals to patients before an imaging procedure and use a specialized camera to create images in which the radiopharmaceuticals show up within the patient's tissues and organs. 

What do nuclear medicine technologists do day-to-day?

A nuclear medical technologist typically works with patients scheduled for imaging procedures or who need radiation treatment for a disease such as cancer. As a nuclear medicine technologist, you’ll prepare and administer the correct radiopharmaceutical dosage to the patient. Using imaging equipment, you’ll scan the areas of the body that the patient’s health care provider requested.

When patients arrive for their appointments, you’ll explain the procedure and answer any questions they have. Some patients might be fearful or nervous, and some might be in pain, so you’ll want to be calming and reassuring. The position also requires you to maintain the imaging equipment and ensure it’s operating safely.

How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist?

To pursue a nuclear medicine technologist career, you’ll need to complete a two- to three-year college program in nuclear medicine technology, or you’ll need to complete a supervised training program after earning your bachelor’s degree in health sciences in radiography, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.

You may also need to be licensed. Most territories and provinces require licensing for nuclear medicine technologists, and all territories and provinces except Quebec and British Columbia require certification through the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). Each region has its licensing regulating bodies. 

Educational requirements

Completing a two- to three-year college program from an approved nuclear medicine technology program is the minimum requirement to qualify as a nuclear medicine technologist. Coursework typically includes physics, chemistry, anatomy, and the study of radioactive drugs. 

If you earn your bachelor’s degree in health sciences in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy, you can become a nuclear medicine technologist with clinical experience under the supervision of a nuclear medicine professional instead of completing a diploma program.

Licenses and certifications

At least seven provinces in Canada require licensing, and others require membership with a provincial association. Each has its requirements for qualifying. Check with the regulatory agency for the region where you wish to practice for licensing requirements. Nuclear medicine technologists must take the CAMRT entry-to-practice national certification exam in all provinces and territories except Quebec and British Columbia. 

The CAMRT requires candidates to have completed a nuclear medicine technologist diploma or degree program. An exam fee of $907 plus an additional charge for booking a seat is mandatory [1].

Can I study to become a nuclear medicine technician online?

Depending on the program you enrol in, you can study to become a nuclear medicine technologist by taking some courses online and some in person. You must also complete the clinical portion of your studies in person. Taking some required courses online from an accredited school allows you to fit the program into your work and personal life.

How long does it take to become a nuclear medicine technologist?

To become a nuclear medicine technologist, you’ll need a two-year or three-year college diploma program. You may also choose to get your bachelor’s degree in radiography, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy and become a nuclear medicine technologist with a period of supervised clinical experience. 

What jobs can you get as a nuclear medicine technologist?

When you’ve completed a degree or diploma program and obtained any certification and licensing required in your province, you’ll qualify for work in hospitals and imaging clinics or choose to work for a physician in private practice.

With additional training after becoming an NMT, you can specialize by completing a certification program beyond your degree or diploma. Some specialties include:

• Positron emission tomography (PET) technologist: Specialization in PET scans involves using a special machine designed to take three-dimensional images of a specific body part.

• Computed tomography (CT) technologists: A computed tomography technologist takes two- and three-degree views of specific organs. 

Job outlook

According to Job Bank Canada, the job outlook for nuclear medicine technologists ranges from “moderate” to “very good” throughout the country [2]. Canada has a worker shortage across the health care industry, so there will likely be a strong outlook for some time.

Salary

According to Job Bank Canada, as a nuclear medicine technologist, you can anticipate earning a median wage of $37.67 an hour. The highest-paying positions are in Alberta and British Columbia, at median wages of $44 and $39, respectively [3]. 

Jobs related to nuclear medicine technology

Jobs related to nuclear medical technology are available with the proper education and certification. The positions are in health care settings and require working one-on-one with patients under the supervision of a physician or other diagnostic professional.

Some options to consider are: 

• Diagnostic medical sonographer: A career as a diagnostic medical sonographer requires completing a three- to four-year diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound technology program. You can also complete a two- to three-year program in a related health field and a one-year post-diploma diagnostic medical sonography program. As a sonographer, you work with patients to take digital images using special equipment. On average, a diagnostic medical sonographer in Canada earns $80,834 annually [4].

• Electroneurodiagnostic technologist: The electroneurodiagnostic technologist performs brain and nervous system tests. The job requires a two-year diploma program in cardiology or electrophysiology technology and supervised practical training. Cardiology technologists must register with the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists in every province except Quebec. Other provinces have their licensing requirements. On average, an electroneurodiagnostic technologist earns $70,832 annually [5].

• Radiation therapist: A radiation therapist works with cancer patients and others who need radiation therapy. You work as a member of an oncology team to administer treatment and monitor patients for side effects after a two to three-year college program and obtaining Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists in all provinces except Quebec. The average radiation therapist salary in Canada is $83,587 [6].

• Cardiovascular technologist: A cardiovascular technologist works with EKG equipment to monitor heart and lung function. You may perform other tasks as needed, such as lung capacity testing. This position requires a two-year college program. The average cardiovascular technologist salary in Canada is $66,191 annually [7].

Ready to start an NMT career? 

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a nuclear medicine technologist, check with your province or territory's licensing requirements before enroling in a program to ensure the school meets all the necessary exams and certifications.

To explore nuclear medicine, consider taking the course Life, Health and Radiation offered by the University of Sydney on Coursera.