CATALOG • 2009-2010
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)
C. Physics I and II
D. 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 415 Cross-sectional Anatomy 2 credits
NMT 421 Nuclear Physics and Radiation Safety 2
credits
NMT 425 Patient Care 1 credit
NMT 430 Radiopharmaceuticals 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 426 Quality Assurance 1 credit
NMT 428 Computers in Medical Imaging 1 credit
NMT 432 Non-Imaging Procedures 1 credit
NMT 441 Nuclear Oncology 1 credit
NMT 451 Clinical Seminar/Research 2 credits
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.
