Nuclear Medicine, Associate

Mission

The mission of the Associate of Science in Nuclear Medicine program is to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors required to become competent entry-level nuclear medicine technologists who deliver high-quality patient care, demonstrate critical thinking, and engage in ethical and evidence-based practice. The program is designed to provide a strong academic foundation that supports professional growth, bachelor’s degree advancement, and a commitment to life-long learning within the evolving field of medical imaging.

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 program, the student is eligible to apply for admission to write for the certification examination of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). Students successfully completing the Associate of Science degree program are eligible to apply for admission to write for the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Successful completion of the Nuclear Medicine examination provides licensure to practice as a registered nuclear medicine technologist. Students/graduates convicted of a misdemeanor or felony may be excluded from clinical and from sitting for certification exams.

Program Overview

The Associate of Science in Nuclear Medicine program requires 125.5 total quarter credit hours in 24 months (full-time). The program is delivered in a hybrid format.  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

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 Associate of Science 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 and asynchronous lectures, problem-based learning, videos, faculty-led discussions, and assignments. Students will gain supervised, in-person clinical experience which offers a well-balanced variety of nuclear medicine procedures, examinations, and equipment. 

Program Goals and Learning Outcomes

Program Goal 1

• The program will graduate clinically competent students.

Student Learning Outcome 1

• Students will demonstrate practice guidelines according to the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) performance standards.
• Students will evaluate images produced for diagnostic purposes.
• Students will provide appropriate patient care.

Program Goal 2

• The program will graduate students who can communicate effectively.

Student Learning Outcomes 2

• Students will learn human relations skills essential to work with a diverse population based on Principal 2 under the Nuclear Medicine Code of Ethics. Principal 2 states, “The nuclear medicine technologist will provide care without discrimination regarding the nature of the illness or disease, gender, race, religion, sexual preference, or socioeconomic status of the patient.”

Program Goal 3

• The program will graduate students who have attained knowledge and skills to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills effectively.

Student Learning Outcomes 3

• Students will use critical thinking skills to perform nuclear medicine procedures in a timely manner, properly label blood samples, and evaluate images for diagnostic quality, pathology, and anatomy.
• Students will adapt to changes in varying clinical situations. 

Program Goal 4:

• The program will monitor program effectiveness to ensure that the needs of the community are met.

 Admission Requirements

General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the AS 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:

Effective with any cohort beginning Fall 2026 or later, the HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) examination is a mandatory component of the admissions process for the AS Nuclear Medicine program at all campuses. Applicants are required to complete the HESI exam as part of their application. This examination evaluates key academic skills necessary for success in healthcare-related fields, including areas such as math, critical thinking, learning style, personality style, vocabulary, and anatomy & physiology. Additional information about the HESI is available from the Imaging Science Department at each campus.

1. Complete the South College and Nuclear Medicine program application form.
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 a communications skills course that may be met by a variety of courses including Communication, English, or Composition with a grade of “C” or higher in a maximum of two attempts at South College*.
5. Complete a mandatory on-ground or online Information session.
6. Complete a HESI-A2 assessment*. Applicants are required to take the HESI-A2 assessment as part of the application process. Applicants have two attempts to complete the exam before the application deadline date set by the associated campus. South College will cover the cost of the first attempt when the assessment is administered at a South College campus location. Costs associated with a second attempt is the responsibility of the applicant.
7. For applicants seeking readmission, a retake of the exam is not required if already taken. Reentries must have taken the exam with South College within the past 2 years.  Readmission eligibility will be assessed based on previous academic performance and adherence to program policies. Readmittance is at the discretion of the campus Program Director and clinical affiliate availability.
8. 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.

*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.

Admittance Decisions

Applicants to any Imaging Science program are ranked based on performance. Emphasis is placed on math and science coursework related to the Imaging Sciences at all certificate and degree levels. The weight distribution for ranking is as follows: Science (Anatomy & Physiology, General Physics lecture and lab, Introduction to Imaging Sciences & Patient Care) & Math: 60%, Medical Terminology and Communication: 15%, and HESI: 25%. Cohort sizes admitted are dependent on available clinical site rotations.

In addition to coursework, each student must provide proof of ability to perform the skills needed to practice in the imaging sciences effectively. Healthcare facilities must meet federal guidelines, and students must also meet these requirements in order to be allowed to gain clinical experience in these facilities. To meet these requirements, each student must supply proof of a negative TB test, hepatitis B vaccine or waiver, physical exam certifying ability to function in the required capacity, proof of immunizations (including MMR immunity), and CPR training. A criminal background check and drug screen are required for admission. If the background check reveals previous convictions, it is up to each clinical site to determine the eligibility of students to attend clinical at the site. Students who are denied clinical experiences due to past convictions may be unable to progress in the program which will result in failure to complete the required courses for the program. In any case where a drug screen is positive and an authorized prescription is not produced to validate the presence of the drug in the individual’s system, a student may be disqualified as a candidate for admission. Upon notification of the drug screen results, the student will have 5 working days to provide prescription validation. Students are responsible for costs associated with any required testing.

 

The Associate of Science in Nuclear Medicine program is currently offered at the Knoxville campus (Hybrid).