Nuclear medicine is a specialty within
medicine and imaging technologiy that uses radiation and radioactive
principles to diagnose and treat patients. Online degree programs in
nuclear medicine technology are relatively rare, but available at the
associate's degree and bachelor's degree level.
Overview of an Online Associate's Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology
An online associate's degree in nuclear
medicine
technology trains students in the use of radiation,
radiopharmaceuticals and radiation detection equipment to produce images
inside the human body for diagnostic purposes. Its academic content
draws concepts from physiology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics
and physics. A high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational
requirement to enroll in an associate's degree program. Schools are
likely to give preference to applicants whose high school studies
included composition, math and science courses.
Because they include an on-site clinical internship, online
associate's degree programs in nuclear medicine technology are hybrids
of online and traditional instruction. Schools may have partnerships
with local medical facilities to help students arrange an internship.
For the online portion of a program, all lectures, readings, assignments
and other materials are accessible through a school's website.
Interactions with instructors and other students are conducted via
online forums, chat and e-mail. Associate's degrees are typically earned
in two years.
Schools may use a learning platform such as WebCT, Blackboard or
VISTA. Personal computers with broadband Internet connection are the
minimum technical requirements to participate in this program. Students
may have to purchase software programs and textbooks for specific
courses in a nuclear technology program.
List of Common Nuclear Medicine Associate's Degree Courses
Associate's degree programs include a liberal arts component
involving English, math and communications. Courses may include
composition and units in the social sciences or humanities.
Anatomy and Physiology Course
Students in this course learn basic facts about human anatomy and
physiology, with an emphasis on their relevance to nuclear medicine
imaging. The cardiac, circulatory, gastrointestinal, endocrine and
skeletal system are among the organ systems covered. Instructors use
online photos and videos to educate students on the different parts of
the body and how it works.
Nuclear Medicine Introductory Course
This course presents fundamental concepts in physics that underlay
the use of radioisotopes in medical care. Relevant topics covered
include radiation, radioactive decay, detection instruments, safety
procedures and the imaging process.
Instrumentation Fundamentals Course
Students learn basic electronics and the operating characteristics of
nuclear medicine imaging equipment in this course. Gamma cameras,
digital cameras, image correction systems and positron emission
tomography are among the systems reviewed.
Graduates of an online associate's degree program in nuclear medicine
technology are qualified for entry-level positions as nuclear medicine
technologists. Technologists primarily work in hospitals, but also in
smaller medical clinics and private physician's offices. According to
Payscale.com, as of July 2010, nuclear medicine technologists with 1-4 years of experience earned salaries between $50,273-$62,088 per year.
Associate's degree holders can improve their employment prospects if
they transfer into an upper division program and earn a bachelor's
degree. Online bachelor's degree programs in nuclear medicine are
available but are relatively rare.
Overview of an Online Bachelor's Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology
Online bachelor's degree programs in nuclear medicine technology may
either be full 4-year programs or 2-year completion programs. Admission
to a 4-year program requires a high school diploma or GED, while
enrolling in a 2-year program requires an associate's degree and good
academic standing. The content of a program explores intermediate and
more advanced material related to radio imaging. Students also complete
more clinical practice sessions.
The academic component of an online bachelor's degree program in
nuclear medicine technology may be completed entirely online. A
practicum has to be completed on-site at a participating medical
facility. Course content is accessible day-round at the convenience of
students, particularly working students. Technical requirements for
participation include a personal computer with Internet connection,
preferably broadband.
List of Common Nuclear Medicine Bachelor's Degree Courses
The first two years of a bachelor's degree program in nuclear
medicine may include general education courses in English, philosophy,
psychology, literature and history. The latter two years are more
intensively oriented toward the subject major.
Radiation and Biology Course
Students in this course examine the effects of radiation on human
tissue and its potential for harm. Topics cover the chemical
interactions between living cells and radiation, the cumulative effects
of long-term exposure and the effects of high-level exposure. Students
can submit assignments through e-mail or a school's web operating
system.
Nuclear Medicine and Computers Course
The primary focus of this course is the role computers play in
nuclear medicine. Students learn about image processing and information
management tools. Course content gives emphasis to the analysis of
dynamic, static and tomographic images.
Radiopharmacy Course
Students in this course learn the range of radioactively emissive
pharmaceuticals most commonly used in nuclear imaging. The dosage,
preparation and contraindications of radiopharmaceuticals are among the
topics covered. Instructors may use streaming audio and video to educate
students on course topics.
PET Scan Technology Course
This course covers the implementation and use of positron emission
tomography (PET) machines for medical imaging. Topics covered include
the biochemistry of fluorodeoxyglucose, new radiopharmaceuticals in
development and fusions of PET and CT imaging.
Students who graduate from a bachelor's degree program in nuclear
medicine technology are fully qualified to work as nuclear medicine
technologists. Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is projected
to grow 16% from 2008-2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (
www.bls.gov). The development of new nuclear medicine
treatment methods and increased demand for medical services from an
aging population will drive growth. As of July 2010,
Payscale.com reports that technologists with 5-9 years of experience earned median salaries between $56,222-$70,595 per year.
Although certification of nuclear medicine technologists is
voluntary, most employers have accepted it as a standard. The American
Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine Technology
Certification Board both offer certification exams. The exams are not
presently administered online.
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