With unemployment at near record levels United States, people are beginning to turn their focus on finding jobs that are more recession proof. Working in the health care industry has become very popular, for those people who are willing to educate and train themselves. There are many health care jobs that are available and are plentiful. Training as a nuclear technologist is relatively easy and nuclear technologists are in high demand.
Presently in the United States there are more than 25,000 people working as nuclear medicine technologists. Most nuclear medicine technologists, nearly 70%, work in hospitals. Some nuclear technologists work in other medical settings, such as physician offices, diagnostic imaging centers, and diagnostic and medical laboratories.
Nuclear Medicine Technology Programs
Becoming a nuclear technologist requires training and nuclear medicine technology programs are readily available in most states. These programs are generally one to four years. One-year programs are generally designed for those who already possess an Associates degree and have the desire to specialize in nuclear medicine.
Proper education and training leads to a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. Education and training will include a course study of physical sciences, the biological effects of radiation exposure, radiation procedures and protection and the use of radio pharmaceuticals in conjunction with imaging techniques and applications. Many nuclear medicine technology programs offer job placement and job search assistance.
After education is completed, nuclear technologist are trained to administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients to create the diagnostic images needed for the physician to make a diagnosis.
Proper certification and licensing may be required, depending on the employer. The number of states requiring certification is also increasing. Proper certification can be obtained from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
While nuclear medicine technologists careers are in high demand, the position is not for everyone. The physical demands necessitate having the physical stamina to work on your feet for most of the day. Nuclear technologists are also required to lift in turn disabled patients. As with any health care career, nuclear technologist should be a people person and sensitive to the physical and psychological needs of their patients.
Future job growth for nuclear medicine technologist jobs is expected to grow at a much faster pace than most occupations. While the number of openings may be relatively low, a nuclear technologist with training in other diagnostic methods such as radiologic technology and diagnostic medical sonography, or in nuclear cardiology, will be at a significant advantage when it comes to job placement.
The nuclear technologist salary will vary from location to location, and state to state. As with most professions a nuclear medicine technologist salary will be commensurate with experience.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary
Nuclear medicine is a very specialized field and while beneficial, exciting, and challenging, at the truth is that demand is typically not high. However, someone working as a nuclear medicine technologist has a number of career opportunities in the health care industry, which ultimately helps both science and patients. While people can make a decent nuclear medicine technologist salary working within the private practice sector, the greatest salary potential is with the larger hospitals. Conversely, working as a nuclear technologist involves the field of nuclear energy, which involves atom splitting or “nuclear fission”, radioactivity, energy, high-energy particles, nuclei, and more.
To become a nuclear medicine technologist, special education is required at minimum an Associate’s Degree or two years minimum specialized training specific to nuclear technology. In addition, most people working in a career such as this gain knowledge through on-the-job training. Since this field is always changing, a nuclear medicine technologist needs continuing education.
Interestingly, the exact nuclear technologist salary depends on a number of factors in addition to private practice versus hospital. For instance, the number of years experience and geographical location would also play a significant role as to the amount of money to be earned. As an example, someone with 20 years experience would earn more as a nuclear technologist than someone with only 5 years of experience could. Additionally, a person working in Pennsylvania, Dallas, Atlanta, or Florida would earn more than someone in other states would make.
An excellent way to increase the nuclear medicine technologist salary is by being certified in several diagnostic technologies. In this case, working in nuclear medicine but having certification or licensing in field of ultrasound or radiology would boost income. Although there are many different factors involved specific to a nuclear technology salary, on average. Currently, a nuclear medicine technologist can earn a salary averaging between $54,000 and $59,000 per year. With advanced training and experience, nuclear medicine technologists at the upper level can make upwards of $70,000 annually.The median expected salary for a typical Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the United States is $67,095.
Benefit packages will vary from employer to employer, but you can expect to be rewarded with a very good benefit compensation package in addition to your salary, including vacations, sick time, medical, dental,vision Insurance coverages, continuing education incentives and substantial retirement plans.