Nuclear Medicine, Certificate

Mission

The mission of the Certificate program in Nuclear Medicine is to prepare current radiologic technologists or others with appropriate academic backgrounds with the skills necessary to become entry-level nuclear medicine technologists that provide quality patient care, actively participate in the profession, and pursue life-long learning.

Role of the Nuclear Medicine Technologist

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist operates gamma scintillation cameras to detect and map a radioactive drug in the patient’s body to create diagnostic images. They must be sensitive to patients’ physical and psychological needs, pay attention to detail, follow instructions, work as a team member, and possess mechanical abilities and manual dexterity to operate complicated equipment.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare and administer radiopharmaceutical dosages and perform radioimmunoassay studies to detect the behavior of radioactive materials inside the body. Hormone and/or therapeutic drugs assessment studies in the body and imaging of cardiac function are also performed by Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certifications

Upon successful completion of the Certificate program, the student is eligible to apply for admission to write for the certification examination of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). Students/graduates convicted of a misdemeanor or felony may be excluded from clinical and from sitting for certification exams.

Overview of the Nuclear Medicine Certificate Program

The Nuclear Medicine Certificate program is designed for those qualified individuals who have completed a Radiography, Nursing, Medical Technology, Radiation Therapy, or related medical program and is in good standing with the appropriate licensing agency or individuals that successfully complete program admission requirements. The certificate program requires 60 total quarter credit hours and is designed to be delivered in four consecutive quarters over a period of 1 year (12 months).

Clinical sites utilized by the program are geographically dispersed. Students may have to travel outside the local area for clinical placements. Some evening and weekend rotations may be required. Students must complete a separate application to the program and secure formal admission.

Learning Outcomes of the Nuclear Medicine Certificate Program

Graduates of this program of study will:

1. Be clinically competent;
2. Communicate effectively;
3. Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills effectively; and
4. Evaluate the importance of professional growth and development.

The program will continually monitor program effectiveness through assessment and evaluation to ensure that the needs of the community are met.

Admission Requirements

General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the Certificate in Nuclear Medicine program. Applicants interested in this program are required to visit the college and meet individually with an admissions representative and program faculty to ascertain if their goals can be met by the college. Prospective students declaring Nuclear Medicine as their major must be generally admitted to South College and meet the following requirements in order to be considered for full admission to the program:

1. Complete the South College and Nuclear Medicine program application forms.
2. Submit transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended (minimum radiography program or college GPA of 2.75 required).*
3. Complete a personal interview with program faculty and area professionals and achieve a minimum score of 25 out of a possible 40.*
4. Complete (as prerequisites) a minimum of 24 quarter credit hours in natural and biological sciences that must include human anatomy & physiology (minimum 12 quarter credit hours), and a minimum of four quarter credit hours in general chemistry with lab, college-level course in physics or radiation physics (graduation from an accredited radiography program may fulfill the physics requirement), and college algebra (or higher) obtaining a grade of “C” or higher in a maximum of 2 attempts each with a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75* Withdrawal (W) grades are considered attempts.
5. Complete (as prerequisites) a minimum of 4 quarter credit hours in patient care and assessment and fundamentals of health care and 4 quarter credit hours in medical terminology.*
6. Complete (as pre-requisite and co-requisite) a minimum of 4.5 credit hours in approved humanities, oral and written communications, and social science courses.
7. Complete and submit documentation of a minimum of 5 clock hours of observation in a nuclear medicine department.
8. Meet specific health and/or essential functions pertinent to the responsibilities performed by the Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Drug screening is required by clinical affiliates. Failure to pass the screen may disqualify a student as a candidate for admission.
9. Be able to commit to full attendance and participation in a rigorous educational program which requires class attendance, significant out-of-class preparation time, and clinical education assignments off-campus.

*Each of these areas is used to rank applicants for full program admission. If minimum standards are met by more applying students than clinical seats, these rankings determine program admission.

The Certificate in Nuclear Medicine program is currently offered at the Knoxville campus (Onground).