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Program Details
Average starting salary is $77,950*
*Salary information provided by Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program Overview
Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT) is a medical specialty in which low-level radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) are used for diagnosis and treatment of disease. Nuclear medicine technologists work in three major areas: organ imaging, radionuclide analysis of biological specimens, and radionuclide therapy.
Accreditation:
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at Santa Fe College is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) located at 2000 W. Danforth Rd. STE 130, #203, Edmond, OK 73003. Questions or comments may be directed to the JRCNMT committee by mail or phone at 405-285-0546. The JRCNMT email address is mail@jrcnmt.org. The Nuclear Medicine Technology program is in compliance with the curriculum frameworks as administered by the State of Florida Department of Education.
Licensure and Certification:
Successful completion of all degree requirements may provide you eligibility to take the specialty exam offered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. You may also qualify to take the exam specializing in nuclear medicine technology offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. If you are a student who resides outside of Florida, Santa Fe College has not made a determination that its degree program or curriculum meets educational requirements for professional licensure in your state. Please locate and contact the Licensure Board in your state in order to determine whether this degree program will meet their licensure requirements.
Requirements for Admission
The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program:
- Possess a 2.50 or higher overall college GPA
- Complete the following coursework with a grade of C or better:
- BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- PHY2004/L Applied Physics with Lab or PHY1007/L, Physics with Medical Application
- CHM1030/L Elements of Chemistry with Lab or other College Chemistry with Lab
- MAC1105 College Algebra or higher math course
- ENC1101 College Composition
- One Social Behavioral Science course
- One Humanities or Fine Arts corse
All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by SF College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.
Program Cost, Scholarships and Aid
All program costs are estimated and subject to change without notice.
PROGRAM COSTS: | |
In-state tuition (75 credit hours) | $8,007.75 |
Out-of-state tuition (75 credit hours) | $28,717.50 |
Lab fees | $543.17 |
Uniforms | $150.00 |
Books | $1,012.00 |
Laptop Computer | $400.00 |
Physical and Immunizations | up to $450.00 |
FLU shots | $40.00 |
American Heart Association CPR/BLS | $55.00 |
Level 2 and Expanded National Background Screening; Drug Testing | $185.00 |
National Board Exam | $200.00 |
Clinical Tracking Software | $150.00 |
State License | $100.00 |
Misc Clinical Expenses | $100.00 |
Total In-state: | $11,392.92 |
Total Out-of-state: | $32,102.67 |
SCHOLARSHIPS: |
There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply. |
FINANCIAL AID: |
There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply. |
Selection Criteria / Points System
Selection criteria and points system is subject to change without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Advisement Office for up-to-date requirements and information.
Prior Degree or Certification: | |
B.A./B.S. or M.A./M.S. degree | 7 points |
A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. degree | 2 points |
Current Healthcare Certification (CNA, EMT, Medical Assistant) | 2 points |
Prerequisite Coursework Cumulative GPA Maximum Points = 20 | |
3.75 to 4.00 | 20 points |
3.50 to 3.74 | 16 points |
3.25 to 3.49 | 12 points |
3.00 to 3.24 | 8 points |
2.75 to 2.99 | 4 points |
2.74 to 2.50 | 0 points |
Military Service Maximum Points = 5 |
Military service points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of 1 year active duty service required. Part-time Reservist and National Guard service must be documented separately and equal 365 active duty days (i.e., weekend service, annual 2-week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined with proper documentation. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct. |
Program Goals and Outcomes
Mission:
To provide a comprehensive, competency based, accredited nuclear medicine technology curriculum preparing a diverse group of students to graduate with entry level skills needed to perform quality nuclear medicine procedures, while providing all patients with the best possible care.
Goals:
The goal of the NMT Program is to develop competent and professional nuclear medicine technologists who, by virtue of theory and practice, are proficient in contemporary facets of nuclear medicine technology, are capable of passing the certification examination, and have a high degree of adaptability in a changing technology. A further aim is to develop qualities of leadership necessary for teaching and health care administration.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- The student will demonstrate proficiency in providing patient care.
- The student will demonstrate knowledge of radiation safety precautions and ALARA concepts.
- The student will demonstrate recognition of and adherence to ethical and professional responsibilities.
- The student will perform with the knowledge and skills needed to generate quality diagnostic images, therapeutic procedures and quality control procedures while employing the principles of NMT methodology, radiation protection and physics.
Program Length, Format, and Curriculum
The Nuclear Medicine Technology program spans five semesters with courses meeting in a variety of formats to include: on-campus, online, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at local and regional hospitals.
The program is academically rigorous and requires students to be available Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The program is a total of 75.0 credit hours, including pre-requisite requirements. Program core courses: 47.0 credit hours. Pre-requisite courses: 28.0 credit hours.
The Technical courses must be taken as a cohort in the order indicated below. The prerequisite requirements listed in "Requirements for Admission" may be taken in any order based on course offerings.
Term 1 Fall (12 credit hours) | ||
NMT1111 | Patient Care | 3.0 |
NMT1534C | Nuclear Instrumentation 1 | 4.0 |
NMT1713 | Nuclear Medicine Methodology 1 | 4.0 |
NMT1804 | Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 1 | 1.0 |
Term 2 Spring (12 credit hours) | ||
NMT1310C | Radiation Safety, Health, Physics and Radiopharmacy lab | 3.0 |
NMT1535C | Nuclear Instrumentation 2 | 3.0 |
NMT1723 | Nuclear Medicine Methodology 2 | 4.0 |
NMT1814 | Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 2 | 2.0 |
Term 3 Summer (6 credit hours) | ||
NMT1733 | Nuclear Medicine Methodology 3 | 3.0 |
NMT1824 | Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 3 | 1.0 |
NMT1834 | Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 4 | 2.0 |
Term 4 Fall (12 credit hours) | ||
NMT1430 | Radiation Biology | 3.0 |
NMT2743 | Nuclear Medicine Methodology 4 | 4.0 |
NMT2844 | Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 5 | 2.0 |
RTE2573 | Special Imaging Modalities | 3.0 |
Term 5 Spring (5 credit hours) | ||
NMT2854 | Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 6 | 2.0 |
NMT2601 | Nuclear Medicine Seminar | 3.0 |
Performance Standards
Health Sciences program applicants should possess sufficient physical motor, intellectual, emotion and social/communication skills to provide for patient care, safety and utilization of equipment. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by attending an informational session conducted by faculty and students currently enrolled in the program. Performance standards for the program are outlined below.
Institutions hiring graduate Nuclear Medicine Technologists will expect individuals to be able to competently perform quality nuclear medicine procedures and provide the patient with the best possible care. Further, employers of graduate NMTs will expect individuals to use nuclear medicine cameras to produce images of bones, organs and vessels, while using minimum radiation exposure in consideration of radiation protection for the patient and themselves. Specific duties include manipulation and operation of nuclear medicine equipment, processing images, communicating effectively with the patient and staff and employing sound judgment and critical thinking skills.
Issue | Standard | Examples |
Critical Thinking | Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment. | Handle multiple priorities in stressful situations. Make accurate independent decisions. Ability to work alone as well as a member of a team. Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functions to exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of medical imaging procedures. |
Interpersonal | Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. | Display patience, empathy and concern for others. Deal with fear and hostility in a calm manner. Demonstrate a high degree of patience. Work with other health care providers in stressful life/death situations. |
Communication | Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. | Communicate needs in a sensitive, prompt, clear and concise manner. Accurately document pertinent information. Follow verbal and/or written instructions. Interact with patients and other health care providers in a professional manner. |
Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room and through hallways; maneuver in small places. | Walk to and from departments. Maneuver nimbly in small spaces. Respond swiftly to patient's needs, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 30lbs, push/pull mobile equipment weighing up to 300lbs; participate as a team member of four in moving an incapacitated patient; ensure patient safety; stand for prolonged periods of time (sometimes wearing a 12-20lb lead apron underneath gown). |
Tactile and Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform cardiovascular technology skills. | Ability to grasp, hold, grip, seize, turn or otherwise manipulate work with hands. Work with fingers to manipulate switches, dials and other computer equipment. Input data into computer. Perform palpations. |
Hearing | Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Communicate verbally with patients and other health care providers. Auscultation of BP, breath sounds and heart sounds. |
Visual | Visual ability sufficient for physical observation. | Observe and monitor patients. Manipulate equipment and evaluate image quality in conditions of low ambient lighting. Detect color on image display. |
Professional Appearance | As a representative of SF College and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, students must abide by specific professional appearance guidelines required by our clinical affiliates. Hair must be maintained within the range of natural color and must be conservative in length and style. Completely shaved or bald styles are acceptable; however, no partially shaved or one-sided haircuts are permitted. Visible tattoos must be covered by garments at all times. Visible body piercings are not allowed and earlobe gauges must be covered. Earrings are limited to one stud-style pair per ear. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short. Artificial nails, nail polish, jewelry, watches and perfume are not permitted. |
Program Effectiveness / Graduate Outcomes
To view the program's effectiveness data, please go to the Health Sciences Program Effectiveness page.
Graduate achievement data is an indicator of program effectiveness, demonstrating the extent to which a program achieves its goals. The current report on graduate achievement data, identified by program, is available on the JRCNMT website by clicking on the following link: Graduate Achievement Report.
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