Nuclear Medicine Technology, AA

The mission of the Bellevue College nuclear medicine technology program is to develop competent and compassionate nuclear medicine technologists for the state of Washington and for the broader needs of the national and international medical community.  We also seek to advance the profession of nuclear and molecular medicine by educating resourceful and adaptable individuals capable of leadership in a changing health care environment. 

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the nuclear medicine technology program at BC should be able to: 

Technical aspects of nuclear medicine technology 

1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities necessary for the practice of Nuclear Medicine technology. 

2. Perform nuclear medicine functions of all kinds, including:

• patient procedures 
• imaging procedures 
• non-imaging procedures 
• therapy procedures 
• quality control procedures 
• radiopharmacy procedures 
• radiation safety/protection techniques  

3. Operate nuclear medicine equipment including:  

• survey meters, dose calibrators, and scintillation detectors 
• gamma cameras 
• SPECT systems 
• PET scanners 
• CT scanners co-located with SPECT or PET systems. 

4. Operate nuclear medicine computers, including: 

• scheduling/radiology information systems 
• radiopharmacy computers 
• image processing computers 
• picture archiving, communications, and storage (PACS) systems 

5. Assess technical results of nuclear medicine procedures and functions and determine appropriate actions based on those results. 

6. Review requests for appropriateness and schedule nuclear medicine studies, consulting as necessary to attain the best quality of patient care. 

7. Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, independent judgment and decision making skills in nuclear medicine. 

Interpersonal and communication aspects of nuclear medicine technology 

8. Explain procedures to patients and their family members in such a way that patient cooperation is attained, giving consideration for cultural background and age-related factors. 

9. Provide routine and emergency patient care as appropriate to the situation and scope of practice. 

10. Provide compassionate care for all patients, with concern for their physical and emotional well-being, both verbally and through actions. 

11. Demonstrate proficiency in interpersonal relations and interact in a professional manner with other members of the health care team and with members of the general public. 

12. Demonstrate an understanding of laws and ethics as they apply to nuclear medicine and to the field of medicine in general. 

Professional aspects of nuclear medicine technology 

13. Use appropriate resources to advance their understanding of new directions within the field of nuclear medicine, as well as their own personal and professional growth. 

14. Demonstrate the ability to move beyond entry-level technologist responsibilities, such as department leadership, advanced imaging modality certification, participation in research projects, roles in industry or education, and leadership in professional societies.