Nuclear Medicine Technology Courses

NMT 401 Nuclear Medicine Foundations (3 cr)

Based on the belief that all persons have the right to warm, personal, and quality care, this course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to function as caring and compassionate individuals when performing medical imaging procedures. Students will explore topics such as the history of medical imaging, the student’s role on the health care team, radiation protection procedures, appropriate medical terminology; pathology, patient care techniques, and methods for protecting self, patient, and public from ionizing radiation. Instructor and clinical staff evaluations of student cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills during clinical rotations are used to assess student’s application of theory to practice.

COREQUISITES: NMT 410, NMT 415, NMT 420.

NMT 410 Nuclear Medicine Physics (2 cr)

This course explores the laws and theories of nuclear physics and instrumentation as it relates to nuclear medicine. Students will explore such topics as modes of radioactive decay, radiation detectors, and the production of radionuclides. This course will provide students with a deeper understanding of how the scans are produced and how radionuclides are created. Instructor and clinical staff evaluations of student cognitive, psychomotor, and technical skills during clinical rotations are used to assess student’s application of theory to practice.

COREQUISITES: NMT 401, NMT 415, NMT 420.

NMT 415 Nuclear Medicine Imaging I (3 cr)

This course is the student’s first in-depth look at the field of nuclear medicine. Students will begin to learn nuclear medicine procedures, what they are used for, how they are performed, and relevant anatomy and physiology. Students will also learn radionuclide chemistry and radiopharmacy in an effort to understand the principles of making the radiopharmaceuticals required for each procedure. These skills will be learned in the classroom (with the use of classroom visual aids and models) and will be applied in the clinical setting. Instructor and clinical staff evaluations of student cognitive, psychomotor, and technical skills during clinical rotations are used to assess student’s application of theory to practice.

COREQUISITES: NMT 401, NMT 410, NMT 420.

NMT 420 Clinical I (5 cr)

Based on the experiences in the classroom, students will have their first opportunity to utilize these skills in the clinical setting. This practicum is designed to allow students to develop a basic competency in the manipulation of nuclear medicine equipment. Students will also be performing basic nuclear medicine procedures and observing more advanced exams and procedures. Clinical staff evaluations of student cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills during clinical rotations are used to assess student’s application of theory to practice.

COREQUISITES: NMT 401, NMT 410, NMT 415.

NMT 441 Nuclear Medicine Principles (2 cr)

This class prepares students for the high technological demands of a career in nuclear medicine. Students will explore such topics as computer systems in nuclear medicine and their applications, SPECT/PET imaging, and the statistical applications required in nuclear medicine. After the completion of this course, students will have skills and knowledge to apply the appropriate quality control measures to produce high quality diagnostic images. Instructor and clinical staff evaluations of student cognitive, psychomotor, and technical skills during clinical rotations are used to assess student’s application of theory to practice.

PREREQUISITES: NMT 401, NMT 410, NMT 415, NMT 420. COREQUISITES: NMT 445, NMT 450.

NMT 445 Nuclear Medicine Imaging II (3 cr)

Based on the belief that all persons have the right to warm, personal, and quality care, this course continues to build on the knowledge acquired in NMT 401 and NMT 415. Students will learn radiobiology and utilize the concepts of ALARA, time, distance, and shielding to better protect themselves and others from radiation. In addition, students will further develop their knowledge of nuclear medicine procedures and explore the topic of medical ethics and how it relates to quality patient care. Instructor and clinical staff evaluations of student cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills during clinical rotations are used to assess student’s application of theory to practice.

PREREQUISITES: NMT 401, NMT 410, NMT 415, NMT 420. COREQUISITES: NMT 441, NMT 450.

NMT 450 Clinical II (11 cr)

This practicum is the student’s second clinical opportunity to apply knowledge acquired in their didactic courses. Students will begin performing procedures with more autonomy and competency. Students will build upon the skills, knowledge, and attitudes developed in the previous clinical practicum. Students begin to complete the required clinical competencies that will allow them to succeed on the national certification exams and within the field. Clinical staff evaluations of student cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills during clinical rotations are used to assess student’s application of theory to practice.

PREREQUISITES: NMT 401, NMT 410, NMT 415, NMT 420. COREQUISITES: NMT 441, NMT 445.

NMT 470 Advanced Clinical (12 cr)

The course is designed to create a smoother transition for the students into the working world of nuclear medicine. Students will be fine-tuning their skills in preparation for graduation. Opportunities to take on-call rotations with a staff technologist are offered. In addition to clinical work, students will complete “mock” board exams as a final test of their preparation for the national certification exams. Clinical staff evaluations of student cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills during clinical rotations are used to assess student’s application of theory to practice.

PREREQUISITES: NMT 441, NMT 445, NMT 450.