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.
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 June 15. 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 Nuclear Medicine Technology faculty 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)
Program Costs: (Costs based on 2012-2013 Academic Year)
Tuition and fees: $23,310
Room and Board: Not Applicable
Estimated Books and Supplies: $2,100
Debt at Program Completion (2011-2012):
* See below
On-time Completion Rate (2011-2012):
* See below
Job Placement Rate (2011-2012):
* See below
* Not applicable - no students were enrolled in this program during this time frame.
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
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%
2011
78.98
78.5
94.9%
100%
ARRT Certification Rates
Graduation Year
National Score
Mercy Average
National First Time Pass Rate
Mercy First Time Pass Rate
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*
2011
84.1
NA*
91.1%
NA*
*No information available - only one student took exam; therefore, no scores were released.
NMT Program Guide – Program admission information and curriculum plan.
