Nuclear Medicine Technology

Program Description

This rewarding technology field involves collaboration and interactions with highly specialized people, the operation of sophisticated instruments, and excellent salaries. Nuclear Medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses radioactive isotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases.

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist prepares and administers the correct radioisotope doses, positions the patients under the gamma camera and produces images that are then interpreted by a physician.

BCC’s affiliated clinical sites include Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York Presbyterian, St. Barnabas Hospital, Lincoln Hospital, Phelps Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Under supervision, students perform a variety of scans on select organs, cells, and molecules within the body. In addition, several sites perform Position Emission Tomography. The Nuclear Medicine Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

To be eligible for admission to NMT, students must have successfully completed all the Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English pre-requisites (ENG 100/110, BIO 23, BIO 24, CHM 17, MTH 28/28.5 (or equivalent/higher), & PHY 24). Note: A minimum grade of C+ is required for each of the Math, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics prerequisites. Students have a total of 3 attempts to earn the required minimum grade. All grades, academic and administrative, count as an attempt including all versions of W grades (e.g., W, WD, WN, WU, WA) and non-traditional academic grades (e.g., P, NC), as well as standard letter grades (e.g., C, D, F). Students must also have a minimum GPA of 2.8; however, admission to the program is competitive and a GPA of higher than 2.8 may be needed to be admitted to the clinical program an enroll in NMT courses. Students may receive credit for NMT 78 and 79 if they have appropriate coursework or credentials. In cases where the program capacity is lower than the number of qualified students, students with the highest GPA will be admitted first. For students transferring from another college, grades received from transferred courses will be used in the calculation of their effective index. Transferred courses may not include NMT designated courses. Those students who have been at BCC waiting for admission to the Program will have preference over new transfer students. At this time, we start new NMT program cohorts only in the Fall semester of each year. Please contact the program director with any questions.

Note, as well, that non academic factors (e.g., criminal record, health conditions, and drug use) can impact whether a student may be admitted or continue in the NMT program. Please refer to the NMT handbook for additional information and/or contact the NMT program director.

Once students have been accepted to the Nuclear Medicine Program, students must pass each didactic NMT class with a C+ or better and each clinical class with a B- or better. If students do not receive the required minimum grade, they are subject to program dismissal. For full academic policies on NMT program admission, retention, and graduation, please consult the BCC Codification of Academic Rules and Regulations available on the BCC website.

Upon the completion of the program at Bronx Community College, students are required to pass one of two national registry examinations to become identified as a licensed Nuclear Medicine Technologist and to practice as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Further study in this field is possible in institutions offering a baccalaureate degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology. The program articulates with New York City College of Technology and SUNY Empire State College. Visit the Transfer Planning web site for more information.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Nuclear Medicine Technology program requirements, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of Nuclear Medicine procedures and core concepts through assessment provided by Mock Certification Exam.
2. Demonstrate competence in a variety of routine Nuclear Medicine procedures.
3. Demonstrate proficiency of radiation safety including: radiation physics, radiation biology, instrumentation, quality control, and principles of ALARA.
4. Exhibit skills in patient care including: interpersonal communication, obtaining pertinent medical history, basic skills in EKG and phlebotomy.
5. Display a working knowledge of radiopharmaceuticals including: dosage administration, pediatric considerations, and decay principles.

Nuclear Medicine Graduate Achievement Data

Graduate achievement data is an indicator of program effectiveness, demonstrating the extent to which a program achieves its goals. The current report on graduate achievement data, identified by program, is available on the JRCNMT website by clicking on the following link: http://www.jrcnmt.org/students/program-graduate-outcomes/


Program Director: Professor Grace Tursi-Wenzler