Positron Emission Tomography Certificate

The certificate in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is designed for persons with certification or registration as radiologic or radiation therapy technologists, who wish to take the certification exam in positron emission tomography (PET). It may also be appropriate for some nuclear medicine technologists. The didactic courses are designed to prepare the student to sit for the Advanced Certification exam administered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. The clinical practicum provides the student with the opportunity to earn some of the 700 hours of clinical PET experience required prior to applying to take the exam. Enrollment in the clinical practicum is not guaranteed and dependent upon grades, site availability, and approval. A selective-application process is utilized to align eligible students with the appropriate clinical site.

Learning Outcomes

Certificate recipients should possess the skills & abilities described below:

• Discuss the composition, operation, and evaluation of a PET tomograph.
• Describe the standardized uptake value, its uses in clinical PET, and factors affecting it.
• Discuss mechanisms and issues related to the production of PET radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals.
• Outline important concepts of nuclear medicine physics and their application to radiation protection in PET
• Identify patient preparation and imaging protocols for oncologic, cardiac, and neurologic applications of PET, including the use of interventional pharmaceuticals.
• Evaluate PET and PET/CT images with regard to clinical needs, image quality, and artifacts.
• Discuss reimbursement issues related to PET.
• Analyze case studies and emergency situations in the context of PET.
• Discuss the benefits generated by combining PET tomographs with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Eligibility Requirements

• National certification in radiologic technology, radiation therapy technology, or nuclear medicine technology
• BIOL 241 and BIOL 242 or equivalent college-level courses with a grade point average of 2.0 or better