Nuclear Medicine Technology

Goal 1: Work effectively with members of the health care team.

Goal 2: Demonstrate competency in the performance of nuclear medicine procedures.

Goal 3: Show ability to think critically by applying didactic knowledge to clinical situations.

Goal 4: Assume responsibility for continuous learning, professional growth and service to the community.

Goal 5: Respect the ethical, legal, moral and cultural issues that impact the care of patients.

A student must earn a C or better in any Mathematics or Natural Science courses that are required for the major.

A student must have a minimum earned cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to enter into the program specific courses. Any student with an earned cumulative GPA lower than 2.5 will be provided with Academic Advising relative to other majors/options.

To meet requirements for successful completion of the Nuclear Medicine program, students must complete the following courses with a B (84%) or higher:  NMT 211C, NMT 212C, and NMT 213.  All other courses with the NMT prefix require a grade of C (74%) or higher.

If a student earns less than the required grade in a program specific course, they are dismissed from the program, regardless of GPA.  Students receive one attempt at a program specific course.  An ‘attempt’ is defined as earning a grade in a course or withdrawing from the course.

Students who wish to return to the University after a leave of absence or re-enroll after withdrawing from the program or University will follow the re-enrollment policies of the University.  This process requires the student to reapply for program admission.  Acceptance will be based on factors such as clinical space available and the student’s statement relative to changes in their current situation that will support their success.  Prior to a student re-entering the program of study, faculty reserve the right to assign placement in the curriculum and to require remedial activities.

All candidates for the Nuclear Medical Technology (NMT) program must possess the physical and mental skills and abilities to successfully complete the program. The program requires students to possess minimal physical, mental, emotional, motor, and cognitive abilities. These technical standards are required for admission, promotion, and graduation.

Although these technical standards identify the required physical and mental abilities of all candidates, the technical standards are not intended to deter any prospective student for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the prospective student to access the curriculum.

Observation

• Observe materials presented in the learning environment, including clinical experiences, audiovisual presentations, experiments, and written documents.
• Possess the visual acuity necessary to monitor patient vital signs.
• Distinguish audible sounds and adequately view sonograms.
• Inspect and recognize minute details and small objects.
• Observe patients accurately and completely.

Communication

• Capacity to effectively converse and communicate with faculty members, fellow students, clinical staff and patients in order to receive information, respond to nonverbal communication, and describe changes in mood, activity, and posture.
• Respond to emergency situations.

Motor Function

• Use gross and fine motor function, manual dexterity, and physical strength to:
• Apply general care and emergency treatment to patients;
• Position patients and operate nuclear medicine equipment;
• Inject radiopharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals required for Nuclear Medicine diagnostic and therapeutic scans.
• Help lift patients who may be unable to move themselves in wheelchairs or beds to the examination table and vice versa;
• Lift and move objects (50 pounds or more routinely); and
• Push mobile gamma camera and computer system and maneuver the equipment into patient rooms;
• Capacity to perform diagnostic maneuvers as required to meet curricular goals.

Cognitive

• Apply knowledge and reasoning to solve problems as required by the curriculum.
• Comprehend multi-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of anatomic structures.
• Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment and situations and proceed safely to reduce risk of injury lo patient or self.
• Minimize radiation exposure to patients, self, and others.
• Efficiently process verbal information, either in written or spoken form.
• Attend and process information simultaneously and categorize this information effectively for recall.
• Sustain concentration to a task over an extended period of time.

Behavioral and Social

• Possess the emotional health to apply intellectual skill, exercise good judgment, and to complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.
• Develop a mature, sensitive and effective relationship with patients and colleagues.
• Behave in an ethical manner consistent with professional values and standards.
• Exhibit sufficient interpersonal skills, knowledge, and attitude to interact positively and sensitively with others.

Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements

Consist of five core and one overlay requirements.  See below for additional detailed information for each of these requirements.

Recommended CCC Courses

Major Requirements

Free Electives

To be awarded an associate's degree at Saint Joseph's University, students must complete at least 60 total credits. As such, elective credits may be required in addition to Cornerstone Core Curriculum (CCC) and major requirements. Any credits necessary to reach at least 60 total credits outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives. Under the CCC, there are no fixed number of electives required. A student's total number of electives will vary based on major requirements, transfer credits, as well as math and/or language coursework. 

Students already holding an associate or baccalaureate degree, or who will have met the degree requirements from their primary educational program upon completion of the certificate program, may apply for the 13.5- month academic certificate program. Admission is given on a space available basis. Academic affiliates include Millersville University, Cedar Crest College, York College, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

 Associate Student

Certificate Students