Nuclear Medicine Technology – Major
For information, contact Dr. Brian Misanko.
Nuclear medicine is the scientific and clinical discipline concerned with
diagnostic, therapeutic and investigative use of radionuclides. The program
leading to the BS degree in nuclear medicine spans four years, the first three
of which are spent on campus. The fourth year consists of clinical training at
our approved affiliated hospitals: Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, and St.
Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem. The program at Cedar Crest College is approved by the
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
Admission Requirements
Prior to declaring a major in Nuclear Medicine Technology the following
requirements must be met:
1. Completed with a grade of C or above in the following courses:
A. BIO 121 and 122
B. CHEM 111 and 112
C. BIO 217 and 218 (Anatomy and Physiology)
D. BIO 236 (Cell and Molecular Biology)
E. MAT 110 and 140 (or College Algebra)
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.750
Traditional students may declare the major at the end of their sophomore year.
Students are required to have earned a grade of C or better in all required
courses for the major and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.750 to remain in
the major.
Transfer students may declare the major after completion of the above criteria
and achieving a cumulative (past and present) GPA of 2.750. Students are required to have earned a grade of C or better in all required
courses for the major and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.750 to remain in
the major.
Health Requirements
Dental and eye examinations, immunizations and an annual complete physical
examination are required, as well as freedom from any physical, mental, medical
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 fees. 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.
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.
Course Requirements
A grade of C or above is required for all courses that fulfill major
requirements. A minimum GPA of 2.750 must be maintained in NMT courses during
the clinical year.
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.
ACC 101 Financial Accounting 3 credits
BIO 121 Principles of Biology I 4 credits
BIO 122 Principles of Biology II 4 credits
(Students with Advanced Placement credit for BIO 121 and/or 122
are required to take the BIO 121 and 122 Labs.)
BIO 217 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 218 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
BIO 236 Cell and Molecular Biology 4 credits
BIO 304 Pathophysiology 3 credits
BIO 320 Biomedical Ethics 3 credits
BIO 342 Radiation Biology 4 credits
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 3 credits
MAT Algebra or above 3 credits
BUA 110 Principles of Management 3 credits
BUA 220 Human Resources Management 3 credits
PHY 101 Introductory College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 102 Introductory College Physics II 4 credits
NMT 411 Nuclear Imaging and Instrumentation I 6 credits
NMT 412 Nuclear Imaging and Instrumentation II 6 credits
NMT 413 Clinical Practicum I 2 credits
NMT 414 Clinical Practicum II 2 credits
NMT 421 Nuclear Physics and Radiation Safety 3 credits
NMT 424 Applied Technical Mathematics/Statistics 1 credit
NMY 425 Patient Care 1 credit
NMT 426 Quality Assurance 1 credit
NMY 427 Immunology 1 credit
NMT 428 Computers in Medical Imaging 1 credit
NMT 430 Radiopharmaceuticals (PET) 1 credit
NMT 432 Non-Imaging Procedures 1 credit
NMT 441 Nuclear Oncology 1 credit
NMT 450 Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine 1 credit
NMT 451 Clinical Seminar/Research 1 credit
NMT 452 Patient Ethics 1 credit
NMT 460 Sectional Anatomy 1 credit
NMT 461 Introduction to CT 1 credit
Traditional students may declare the major at the end of their sophomore year.
Students are required to receive a grade of C or above in all required courses
for the major and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.750 to remain in the
program.
Transfer students must complete the following courses at Cedar Crest College:
Bio 320 Biomedical Ethics 3 credits
Bio 342 Radiation Biology 4 credits
One three/four-credit upper level biology elective (excluding NMT courses) 3-4
credits
Course Requirements
A grade of C or above is required for all courses that fulfill major
requirements. Students must earn a grade of C or above in prerequisite courses
before proceeding to subsequent courses.
Departmental Review for Field 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.