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.

Hybrid Delivery

The program is offered in a hybrid delivery model at the Knoxville campus. The hybrid cohort is admitted in October.

Using a hybrid learning model, the curriculum combines the best aspects of online learning activities and interactions and collaborative clinical education experiences into an innovative and dynamic learning experience. The Certificate in Nuclear Medicine program provides a variety of instructional methods in the online delivery of didactic instruction that includes but is not limited to, synchronous lectures, problem-based learning, faculty-led discussions, assignments, and more. Students will gain supervised, in-person clinical experience which offers a well-balanced variety of nuclear medicine procedures, examinations, and equipment. 

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. Admission to the cohort is based on the successful completion or transfer of the following prerequisite courses or their equivalents with a grade of “C” or better in a maximum of two attempts. If a student is unsuccessful in two attempts of any of the listed courses at South College, they will no longer be eligible for the program. Withdrawal from the same course twice at South College will count as a failed attempt.
   • Complete (as prerequisites) BIO 1110 Anatomy & Physiology I , BIO 1120 Anatomy & Physiology I Lab , BIO 1130 Anatomy & Physiology II , BIO 1140 Anatomy & Physiology II Lab , CHM 1010 General Chemistry I , CHM 1020 General Chemistry I Lab , PHY 2010 General Physics I , PHY 2020 General Physics I Lab , RAD 1125 Introduction to Imaging Sciences & Patient Care , AHS 1010 Medical Terminology , and MAT 1100 College Algebra  (or higher) obtaining a grade of “C” or higher in a maximum of 2 attempts each at South College*.
4. 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 obtaining a grade of “C” or higher.
5. Complete a mandatory on-ground or online Information session.
6. Meet specific health and/or essential functions pertinent to the responsibilities performed by the Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Drug and background screening is required by clinical affiliates. Failure to pass the screen may disqualify a student as a candidate for admission.
7. Be able to commit to full participation in a rigorous educational program that requires class participation in synchronous learning sessions, 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 (Hybrid).