Nuclear Medicine – Certificate
This certificate is beneficial to those who currently hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to receive the scientific and clinical expertise needed to
acquire positions as nuclear medicine technologists. Cedar Crest College’s program is approved by the Joint Review Committee on educational Programs in
Nuclear Medicine Technology.
The clinical year consists of 30 credits of daytime courses at the affiliated
hospitals. To earn the nuclear medicine post-baccalaureate certificate, a
student must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.750.
Admission to the Program
A student may declare a post-baccalaureate certificate in Nuclear Medicine
Technology if the following criteria have been met:
1. They must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and be admitted to
the College.
2. They have completed and received a grade of C or above in the following
courses:
A. Anatomy and Physiology I and II
B. Bio 236 (Cell and Molecular Biology)
B. Physics I and II
C. Chemistry – one course
3. They have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.750
Health Requirements
Dental and eye examinations, immunizations and an annual complete physical
examination are required, as well as freedom from any physical, mental, or drug
impairment that would prohibit the candidate from practicing as a professional
nuclear medicine technologist.
Clinical Training in Nuclear Medicine Technology
The nuclear medicine clinical training begins early June and ends in April of
the following year. Students in the clinical year of this program will earn
Cedar Crest College credit and will pay one-half of the comprehensive
nonresident student tuition fee. Resident students will also pay the full room
and board fee.
The training is performed in nuclear medicine departments of the program’s affiliated hospitals. Teaching and clinical instructors are physicians,
physicists and technologists on the hospital staffs. Student’s progress and performance are monitored by the program director, who makes
periodic visits to the hospital departments. Readings, problem assignments and
project work are an integral part of the student’s clinical training.
The hospital training includes the following areas: radionuclide imaging and
external monitoring; radiation safety and protection; patient positioning and
nursing procedures; and nuclear medicine administrative procedures. Students
are required to learn and perform venipuncture and to inject
radiopharmaceuticals. The training also includes: nuclear oncology, nuclear
cardiology, molecular imaging (PET, and PET/CT), single photon emission
tomography, immunology and cross-sectional anatomy. Thirty-one credits are
awarded for the satisfactory completion of the clinical year.
Travel Policies
Travel to, from and within the affiliated hospitals is the responsibility of the
student.
Course Requirements for admission to the clinical year
Courses required for the certificate must have been taken within the past ten
years.
The following courses must be completed with a grade of C or above before
admission to the clinical year. (Essentials and Guidelines for an Accredited
Educational Program for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Revised 2003)
BIO 117/217 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 118/218 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
BIO 236 Cell and Molecular Biology 4 credits
BIO320 Biomedical Ethics 3 credits
BIO 342 Radiation Biology 4 credits
PHY 101 Introductory College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 102 Introductory College Physics II 4 credits
CHE College Chemistry 4 credits
MAT College Algebra or above 3 credits
English Two courses 6 credits
Admission to the Clinical Year
No student will be allowed to begin the clinical year without documentation that
she/he meets all of the following requirements:
1. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.750
2. Have completed a Nuclear Medicine Technology Program application and letter
of intent form.
3. Have successfully completed an interview with the NMT program director and
clinical coordinators.
4. Have a completed Health Certification Form.
5. Have proof of vaccinations.
6. Have completed a Hepatitis B Vaccine series.
7. Have a negative two-step TB skin test within three months prior to start date.
8. Have completed a CPR Certification (Health Care Professional Level)
9. Have completed one of the following:
If the student is a Pennsylvania state resident and has been for the preceding
two years:
(a) PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance and
(b) Nine-panel urine drug screen
If the student is not a Pennsylvania state resident or has not been a state
resident for the preceding two years:
(a) PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance and
(b) Nine-panel urine drug screen and
(c) FBI Identification Record Request – Federal Criminal History Check
10. Have completed and submitted a Child Abuse Check.
11. Have proof of health insurance. CCC health insurance is acceptable
12. Have completed all other documents required by the affiliated teaching
hospitals.
13. Application and letter of intent forms are to be submitted to the NMT
Program Director no later than 5:00p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the last day of classes, fall
semester.
14. Incomplete and/or late application and letters of intent forms will not be
considered.
Nuclear Medicine Technology students are responsible for any fees involved when
obtaining the required health insurance, physical exam, background checks,
immunizations, CPR training and other requirements.
Clinical Year
The clinical year begins in early June and is generally completed by the end of
April of the following year. Students in the clinical year are required to
receive a grade of C or above in all required courses and must maintain a
minimum cumulative GPA of 2.750 to remain in the clinical year and the program.
Academic instruction for the professional nuclear medicine technology curriculum
will include the following courses:
NMT 411 Nuclear Imaging and Instrumentation 6 credits
NMT 413 Clinical Practicum 2 credits
NMT 421 Nuclear Physics and Radiation Safety 3 credits
NMT 425 Patient Care 1 credit
NMT 426 Quality Assurance 1 credit
NMT 427 Immunology 1 credit
NMT 450 Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine 1 credit
NMT 460 Cross sectional Anatomy 1 credit
NMT 461 Introduction to CT 1 credit
NMT 412 Nuclear Imaging and Instrumentation 6 credits
NMT 414 Clinical Practicum 2 credits
NMT 424 Statistics 1 credit
NMT 428 Computers in Medical Imaging 1 credit
NMT 430 Radiopharmaceuticals 1 credit
NMT 432 Non-Imaging Procedures 1 credit
NMT 441 Nuclear Oncology 1 credit
NMT 451 Clinical Seminar/Research 1 credit
NMT 452 Patient Ethics 1 credit
Acceptance into the clinical year is competitive and not guaranteed by
satisfaction of the minimum requirements. It is based on academic performance
(minimum cumulative GPA of 2.750), the available number of positions in the
clinical program and student interviews conducted by the educational and
clinical program coordinators.
Departmental Review for Clinical Year Placement
Students majoring in Nuclear Medicine Technology are required to complete a
clinical experience. Because this requirement necessitates working with the
public in a professional setting, it is important that the student has advanced
interpersonal skills, mature judgment and appropriate professional demeanor.
Thus faculty will review students prior to the clinical experience and make
recommendations up to and including removal from placement.