The Program in Nuclear Medicine Technology 

Description of the Profession:

Nuclear Medicine Technology is the medical specialty concerned with the use of small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes. Nuclear medicine technologists typically administer various radiopharmaceuticals to patients according to established protocols, and then operate sophisticated imaging cameras to obtain diagnostic images for radiologist interpretation. Nuclear medicine technologists must be knowledgeable in radiation safety, radiopharmacy, instrumentation, patient care, patient imaging, and regulatory compliance. The professional organization for nuclear medicine is the Society of Nuclear Medicine

The Old Dominion University Program in Nuclear Medicine Technology:

Description: The Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMED) program is a nationally accredited program that offers undergraduates an opportunity to earn a Bachelors of Science degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology. The ODU NMED program has graduated nearly 150 students since it's inception in 1987.  The program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology (BSNMT).  The Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) and can accept 12 students annually. The NMED program includes a variety of on and off-campus courses, over 1300 hours of clinical experiences, as well as one distance class - offered through TELETECHNET.

Mission: The NMED program supports the stated mission of the College of Health Sciences by preparing competent, qualified nuclear medicine technology  professionals with practice, management, research and teaching skills to address the changing health needs of the region, state and nation. Further,  the NMED program provides leadership in healthcare by offering excellent educational experiences in a quality learning environment to facilitate the development of competent, caring health professionals.

POINTS OF PRIDE

•  Accreditation-Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology since 1991.  The program is one of  approximately100 accredited NMED program in the United States and one of three programs in the State of Virginia.
  
• Clinical Affiliations-Currently the program has clinical affiliations with eight local Nuclear Medicine departments and a radiopharmacy.  Affiliations also exist with the state-of-the-art Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Institute of Hampton Roads and The Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters. New Affiliations are being created with the Sentara Lake Wright Comprehensive Cancer Center (Virginia Oncology Associates/Sentara Mobile PET/CT Imaging Facility). Old Dominion University NMED students have the opportunity to receive hands-on clinical and didactic education in molecular nuclear medicine imaging (PET Imaging).
  
• Distance Education NMED 300-Medical Technology-is offered every other year via TELETECHNET and the course has been incorporated into three other programs.  The course has been broadcast throughout Virginia and three other states including Washington, Arizona and Georgia.  Average enrollments in this televised course is 100 students.
  
• Graduate Success:  For the past 5 years the first-time pass rate on the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board National Examination has been 93%, 100% on subsequent attempts. 22% of ODU graduates have passed the exam with "distinction" or "high distinction".
  
• New Initiatives-Currently under development: The program is currently undergoing a  reaccreditation self-study. The program is expanding the didactic and clinical component devoted to positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). The program is also currently seeking to expand the number of it's clinical affiliate sites to include an additional PET imaging facility.
  
• Occupational Outlook-100% job placement in Nuclear Medicine Technology or related field over the past 12 years.  Old Dominion NMED graduates work as Staff and Chief Technologists and also work in Positron Emission Tomography, Small Field Imaging Research, Health Physics, Medicine, Pharmacy, Medical Computing and Sales.
  
• Program Size-The program accepts 12 students per year.  Students take a variety of didactic, clinical, on and off-campus courses in nuclear medicine technology, radiation safety safety, nursing, radiopharmacy, bioethics, instrumentation, leadership and administration.
  
• Research: Current projects include the construction of a Radioimmunoassay (RIA) section to the School of Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences Human Diagnostics Research Laboratory (HDRL). Collaborative research projects on the effects of exercise on  individuals with diabetes (conducted with faculty from the College of Education, Department of Exercise Science) are ongoing.