Program Code: 3315
The Nuclear Medicine Technology program prepares students with nuclear medicine curriculum and practical experience at clinical affiliates. The curriculum includes diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures, including positron emission tomography (PET), radiopharmaceutical preparation and administration and quality control of imaging and radiation detection equipment. The comprehensive curriculum builds on basic nuclear medicine and PET principles and ultimately prepares students to challenge the national credentialing exams.
In the clinical settings, students will intern under the supervision of licensed nuclear medicine technologists. The student will elevate their critical thinking skills to deliver high-quality care consistently. Student rotations may include work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, imaging centers, and research facilities.
The Program accepts students in the odd numbered years (example: 2023, 2025, etc.).
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 820 W. Danforth Road, #B1, 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, or plan to relocate outside of Florida, Santa Fe College has made the determination that this degree program or curriculum only meets educational requirements for professional licensure in the state of Florida. Please contact the Licensure Board in your state to determine whether this program or curriculum will meet any licensure requirements.
Requirements for Admission
The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program:
- Possess overall college GPA of 3.0
- Complete the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of “C” or better:
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- BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
- ENC1101 College Composition
- *Choose one of the following Math courses:
- MAC1105 College Algebra
- MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking
- STA2023 Statistics
- Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
- AMH2020 US History Since 1877
- POS2041 American National Government
- AMH2010 US History To 1877
- Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
- ARH1000 Art Appreciation
- HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities
- LIT1000 Literature Appreciation
- MUL1010 Music Appreciation
- PHI2010 Introduction to Philosophy
- THE1000 Theater Appreciation
All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.
To help protect patients and students, upon acceptance to a Health Science Program, all students must undergo state and federal background checks and show proof of certain immunizations and negative drug screenings as required by clinical affiliates. Students will be provided instructions to complete these tasks at the appropriate time. For more information regarding the application process, please visit the “Before You Apply” webpage.
For more information on program specific expectations and to view the Allied Health Student Handbook, please visit the “Prospective and Current Students” webpage.
See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.
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, non-imaging procedures, 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 through Friday 8am - 4:30pm
The program is a total of 75.0 credit hours, including prerequisite 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 Credit Hours)
- NMT1534C Nuclear Instrumentation 1 (4 Credit Hours)
- NMT1713 Nuclear Medicine Methodology 1 (4 Credit Hours)
- NMT1804 Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 1 (1 Credit Hour)
Term 2 Spring (12 Credit Hours)
- NMT1310C Radiation Safety, Health, Physics and Radiopharmacy lab (3 Credit Hours)
- NMT1535C Nuclear Instrumentation 2 (3 Credit Hours)
- NMT1723 Nuclear Medicine Methodology 2 (4 Credit Hours)
- NMT1814 Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 2 (2 Credit Hours)
Term 3 Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- NMT1733 Nuclear Medicine Methodology 3 (3 Credit Hours)
- NMT1824 Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 3 (1 Credit Hour)
- NMT1834 Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 4 (2 Credit Hours)
Term 4 Fall (12 Credit Hours)
- NMT1430 Radiation Biology (3 Credit Hours)
- NMT2743 Nuclear Medicine Methodology 4 (4 Credit Hours)
- NMT2844 Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 5 (2 Credit Hours)
- NMT2775 Special Imaging Modalities (3 Credit Hours)
- Term 5 Spring (5 Credit Hours)
- NMT2854 Nuclear Medicine Clinical Education 6 (2 Credit Hours)
- NMT2061 Nuclear Medicine Seminar (3 Credit Hours)
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.
Critical Thinking
Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment.
Example: 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
Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: 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
Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
Example: 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
Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room and through hallways; maneuver in small places.
Example: 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
Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform cardiovascular technology skills.
Example: 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
Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Communicate verbally with patients and other health care providers. Auscultation of BP, breath sounds and heart sounds.
Visual
Standard: Visual ability sufficient for physical observation.
Example: 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 Santa Fe 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. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short.