CATALOG • 2009-2010
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.
