Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate
Our Program How and When to Apply Background Preparation Clinical Experience Faculty Job Outlook Gainful Employment Certification Exam Rates
The program is accepting admissions for fall 2012-13 while admission in subsequent years is undergoing further review; a decision on admissions beyond 2013 will be made in spring 2012.
Become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. A nuclear medicine technologist (NMT) uses radioactive compounds to acquire images of the functions of internal organs and to treat various diseases. As an NMT you will work closely with a nuclear medicine physician and directly with the patient. You will prepare and administer radioactive chemical compounds, perform patient imaging procedures using sophisticated radiation-detecting instruments, analyze specimens in the laboratory, and analyze patient information for physicians to use in diagnoses.
Our Program
Our three-semester certificate program includes classroom instruction, practice in skills lab and clinical experience with diagnostic imaging. You will learn the art and science of nuclear medicine technology. We help you acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be a technically skilled caring individual, a critical thinker and a problem solver. We provide many educational opportunities to facilitate personal development and community involvement.
Our NMT program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
How and When to Apply
We accept a limited number of students into the NMT program each fall. Applications to the NMT certificate program must be received by the Office of Admissions by July 1. Your admission into this program is on a competitive basis, so early application is encouraged.
Prospective students who are interested in the NMT Certificate may want to also consider admission to the Bachelor of Science in Health Science - Track Four at Mercy College.
Background Preparation
You must have a minimum of two years of college education in a health-related field or a bachelor’s degree to be considered. Your coursework in college level anatomy (with lab), College algebra (or higher level math), general chemistry (with lab), English, physics and physiology (with lab) must be completed before admission. Additional courses are required but may be taken concurrently with program courses: a Humanities course, a Social Science course, an Oral Communication course and a Medical Terminology course. Students are encouraged to take LAS courses at Mercy College to meet any unmet program requirements above.
Clinical Experience
You will experience direct patient contact during your clinical experience (called practicums) at Mercy Medical Center. You will also work at Mercy affiliate locations and at many other leading health care organizations in central Iowa to gain hands-on learning throughout your course of study.
Faculty
Our NMT faculty team includes a full-time program chair as well as medical professionals in the clinical setting. As a student you will receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction.
Job Outlook
Once you have completed your NMT degree, you’ll have the knowledge and clinical experience needed to become a caring, ethical and competent nationally certified nuclear medicine technologist. Faster-than-average job growth is expected to arise as our population ages and experiences an increased need for diagnostic and treatment procedures. For more details and statistics about specific roles and job opportunities go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Gainful Employment
Program Length:
Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate (CIP Code 51.0905): Three-Semester (12 months)
Related Occupations:
Program Costs: (Costs based on 2011-2012 Academic Year)
- Tuition and fees: $20,250
- Room and Board: Not Applicable
- Estimated Books and Supplies: $2,100
Debt at Program Completion:
- Median Title IV loan debt: $9,500
- Median private loan debt: $11,000
- Median institutional financing plan debt: $0
On-time Completion Rate:
- Students completing program 2009-2010: 6
- Students completing program in 2009-2010 in normal time: 6
- On-time completion rate: 100%
Job Placement Rate:
Students completing the program for 2009-2010 : 100%
Certification Examination Rates
Program graduates may choose to sit for at least one of two (or both) national certification examinations. The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) both provide nationally recognized certification for graduates of accredited nuclear medicine technology programs. Since the inception of the program in 2003, MCHS has maintained a 95.8% first time pass rate. Below are the average scores of the graduates from the past 5 years. A scaled score of 75 is the minimum passing scores for both exams.
NMTCB Certification Rates
Graduation Year
|
National Score
|
Mercy Average
|
National First Time Pass Rate
|
Mercy First Time Pass Rate
|
|
2006
|
79
|
81.0
|
93.7%
|
100%
|
|
2007
|
86.7
|
82.8
|
91.7%
|
100%
|
|
2008
|
79
|
80.5
|
91.7%
|
100%
|
|
2009
|
80
|
80.5
|
94.3%
|
100%
|
|
2010
|
79.33
|
78.3
|
92.4%
|
66.6%
|
ARRT Certification Rates
Graduation Year
|
National Score
|
Mercy Average
|
National First Time Pass Rate
|
Mercy First Time Pass Rate
|
|
2006
|
84.9
|
83.5
|
92.6%
|
100%
|
|
2007
|
85.2
|
NA*
|
92.9%
|
NA*
|
|
2008
|
84.7
|
NA*
|
94.5%
|
NA*
|
|
2009
|
85
|
NA*
|
93.7%
|
NA*
|
|
2010
|
83.82
|
NA*
|
91.4%
|
NA*
|
|
