RAIT 462 - Clinical Practicum II in PET

Provides the student the opportunity to develop required competencies and practice hours for certification in Positron Emission Tomography. The course includes approximately 440 hours in one or more PET departments or clinics. Students work with combined PET/CT and/or PET/MRI scanners, but this course will not address clinical training in computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

This course is intended to meet the degree requirements of the Technology and Nuclear Medicine concentrations as well as the requirements of the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) certificate of the Radiation and Imaging Sciences program.  Grading: Satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to Technology and Nuclear Medicine concentrations of the Radiation & Imaging Sciences program, or Positron Emission Tomography certificate.

Course Outcomes
 

• Determine standardized uptake values and other quantitative measures of PET radiopharmaceutical uptake and discuss their use in clinical decision-making.
• Discuss the application of each of the following to PET imaging and utilize as needed in the clinical site:
  • Time-activity curves, metabolic parameters, and other techniques to document radiopharmaceutical uptake.
  • Pharmacologic agents and adjunctive medications.
  • Respiratory and ECG gating.
• Develop scheduling and resource allocation templates in order to accommodate a variety of PET scans.
• Review the department’s medical physics reports and develop a template for daily, quarterly, and annual testing schedules including a brief description of each test to be done. Include testing of ancillary instruments (Geiger counter, dose calibrator, well counter).
• Assess radiation protection issues and apply mathematical calculations such as the attenuation equation and inverse-square law.
• Develop a template for required records, including radioactive material receipt, dose administration, and waste disposal.

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