An educational program in Nuclear Medicine Technology is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus.
Description of the Profession The graduate nuclear medicine technologist is a skilled person qualified to provide patient diagnostic and therapeutic services using ionizing radiation in the form of gamma rays, X rays, and beta rays. These radiations emanate from radioactive materials. Nuclear medicine technologists perform patient organ imaging procedures, radioactive analysis of biological specimens (blood, urine), and some therapeutic applications of radioactive materials. Effective nuclear medicine technologists utilize principles of radiation protection as they prepare and administer radioactive materials for a variety of
examinations. They are capable of performing quality control procedures on the
instrumentation and on the radioactive materials. Nuclear medicine technologists also assist physicians in surgical procedures and during examinations, give intravenous injections, draw blood, assess the technical quality of the studies, and provide basic patient care. The technologist must function as a member of the health care team.
Graduates of the Program Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are eligible to take the certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board to become certified as a nuclear medicine technologist, R.T.(N), or C.N.M.T.
Credentials Required to Practice R.T.(N) (ARRT), Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist, or C.N.M.T.(NMTCB), Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Medical Director: Professor Wellman Program Director: Associate Professor Hernandez
Educational Program Director: Associate Professor Kosegi
Associate Professor: Mock Assistant Professor: Appledorn Instructor: Lewis
Lecturers: Karam, Kuster, Shiplett, Winther
Nuclear Medicine Technology 57
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Length of the Program A new class begins summer session II each year and continues for 14 months.
Structure of the Professional Program The curriculum is basically designed for those persons with no previous experience in nuclear medicine, although experienced technologists may apply for admission.
Students have professional classes or clinical experience from 8 a.m. to 5-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students are also required to participate in clinical experience on several evenings and Saturday mornings.
Design of the Professional Curriculum This degree is designed to prepare qualified nuclear medicine technologists. The principal aim of the degree is to provide students with educational experiences that will permit them to develop the competencies required to function effectively as nuclear medicine technologists. The curriculum integrates theory and clinical experience.
Opportunity for Students to Work Some part-time employment may be available in the radiology departments at the Indiana University Medical Center.
Program Facilities The nuclear medicine technology option is offered in Indianapolis at the Indiana University Medical Center. The offices, classrooms, and library are located on the first floor of the Clinical Building. Students obtain clinical experience in the nuclear medicine areas of radiology departments located in University, Riley, Wishard, and Veterans Administration hospitals. Laboratory facilities are also located in the hospitals. All of these clinical and laboratory facilities are located at the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis.
Accreditation The bachelor's degree in nuclear medicine technology is fully accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association, its successor organization, or other national specialized accreditation organizations.
ADMISSION
(Classes entering in 1993 and 1994 only. The class entering in 1995 should contact the program for revised admission requirements.)
General Information
Admission to the professional program is competitive; therefore, completion of the prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the program.
Class Size 10-15 students each summer session II (late June).
58 Nuclear Medicine Technology
Specific Requirements
In addition to the School of Allied Health Sciences admission policies and procedures found at the beginning of the bulletin, the following apply to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program.
Application Deadline November 15 of the year prior to anticipated entry.
Total Number of Prerequisite Credit Hours 82 semester hours.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. This requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained.
Minimum Specific Grade Point Average 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all life and physical science course work. This requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained.
Minimum Grade Requirement in a Stated Prerequisite Course C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale).
Interview Qualified applicants must participate in an interview. Interviews are conducted in February.
Technical Standards See School of Allied Health Sciences technical standards.
Indiana Residents Preference Policy See School of Allied Health Sciences policy.
Volunteer Experience Applicants must observe in a nuclear medicine facility before an interview will be scheduled.
Awards The faculty will recommend to the university graduating students with superior academic performance for degrees awarded with distinction. Also, students with outstanding academic and clinical achievement during their professional program may be recognized by the program at the time of graduation.
CURRICULUM Prerequisites
Prior to entering the program, the student must complete the following minimum prerequisites. Students should consult with their academic advisers for appropriate courses and semester sequence in order to complete prerequisites. Prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college or university.
The code (G) indicates a course that meets the school's general-education requirements.
Verbal Communication (G) ... 2-3 er.
Written Communication (G} ... 2 courses Humanities Elective (G} ... 3 er.
Introductory Psychology (G} ... 3 er.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Elective (G) ... 6 er.
Elementary Chemistry I (with lab) (G) ... .4-5 er.
Elementary Chemistry II (with lab) (G) ... 4-5 er.
Physics (one or two courses, depending on course content) (G) ... 4-8 er.
Human Anatomy (with lab) (G) ... 4-5 er.
Human Physiology (with lab) (G) ... .4-5 er.
College Algebra and Trigonometry
or Algebra and Calculus (G) ... .5-6 er.
(one or two courses depending on course content)
Introduction to Computers ... 2-3 er.
Life and Physical Sciences Electives To complete the total 40 credit hours, elective areas include selected courses in allied health, anatomy, biology, chemistry, genetics, mathematics, microbiology, nursing, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, and physics.
Computer science and statistics are highly recommended. Other areas may be approved.
Suggested Electives (30 er.) While not inclusive or mandatory, the following is a list of suggested elective areas: selected allied health, medical terminology, introduction to computers, psychology, sociology, microbiology, genetics, statistics, anthropology, philosophy, education, supervision, ethics.
A Suggested Plan of Study Freshman
Fall
English Composition ... 3 er.
Beginning Psychology ... .3 er.
Algebra ... 3 er.
Elementary Chemistry I or
Principles of Chemistry I ... : ... 5 er.
Total ... 14 er.
Spring
Speech Communications
Interpersonal Communications ... 3 er.
Elementary Chemistry II or
Principles of Chemistry II... ... 5 er.
Trigonometry or
Brief Survey of Calculus ... 3 er.
Humanities ... 3 er.
Total ... 14 er.
Sophomore Fall
Written Communication ... 3 er.
Human Anatomy ... 5 er.
Social/Behavioral Science Elective ... 3 er.
Life Science Elective ... 3 er.
Total. ... 14 er.
Spring
Social/Behavioral Science Elective ... 3 er.
Elementary Chemistry II or
Life Science Elective ... 3 er.
General Physics ... .' ... .4 er.
Introduction to Computers ... 3 er.
Elective ... 3 er.
Total. ... 13 er.
Junior Fall
Human Physiology ... 5 er.
Electives ... 11 er.
Total. ... 16 er.
Spring
Life Science Electives ... 6 er.
Medical Terminology ... 2 er.
Electives ... 9 er.
Total ... 17 er.
Professional Program
Courses in the professional program are sequential and, therefore, must be taken in the order specified by the program faculty.
Senior
The 35 credits listed below are obtained within a 14-month period and fulfill eligibility requirements for the registry examination in nuclear medicine technology.
Summer Session II
Patient Care in Radiologic Science
AHLT R104 ... 2 er.
Medical Terminology AHLT RISS ... 1 er.
Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine AHLT R437 ... !er.
Total.. ... 4 er.
Fpll
Physics and Instrumentation of Nuclear Medicine I
AHLT R412 ... 2 er.
In Vivo and In Vitro Studies
AHL T R430 ... 2 er.
Clinical Application of
Radionuclides AHLT R432 ... 4 er.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
Practicum 1 AHL T R445 ... .5 er.
Total ... 13 er.
Spring
Physics and Instrumentation of Nuclear Medicine II
AHLT R417 ... 2 er.
Radionuclide Measurements
AHLT R422 ... 2 er.
Radiopharmaceuticals AHLT R427 ... 2 er.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
Practicum 2 AHL T R446 ... 6 er.
Total ... 12 er.
Summer Session I Radiobiology in Nuclear
Medicine AHLT R440 ... 1 er.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
Practicum 3 AHLT R447 ... 2 er.
Total.. ... 3 er.
Summer Session JI Clinical Nuclear Medicine
Practicum 3 AHL T R447 ... 2 er.
Topics: Nuclear Medicine Management AHLTR408 ... .1 er.
Total ... 3 er.
Nuclear Medicine Technology 59
Graduation Requirements Satisfactory completion of 122 credit hours. All course work must be completed in compliance with the program's and school's academic and professional policies.
For further information, contact Professor Suetta Kehrein, Baccalaureate Degree Coordinator, Department of Radiologic Sciences, IUPUI, Clinical Building 120, 541 North Clinical Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202- 5111. Telephone (317) 274-3801.
Courses in Nuclear Medicine Technology
AHLT R408 Topics in Radiologic Sciences (0.5-4 er.) Study of selected topics in radiologic sciences. May be repeated once for credit if topics differ.
AHL T R412 Physics and Instrumentation of Nuclear Medicine I (2 er.) An introduction to the physical disciplines of nuclear medicine.
Lectures and laboratory exercises on radiation physics, computer programming, and the statistics of radiation measurements.
AHLT R417 Physics and Instrumentation of Nuclear Medicine II (2 er.) A continuation of AHLT R412. Lectures and exercises on electronic principles, the operational fundamentals of radiation counting devices and imaging systems, and quality assurance programs.
AHL T R422 Radionuclide Measurements (2 er.) Lectures and laboratory sessions emphasizing the clinical utilization of nuclear counting and imaging systems and principles of quantitative measurements.
AHL T R427 Radiopharmaceuticals (2 er.) Lectures and laboratories concerning properties and preparation of radiopharmaceuticals.
AHL T R430 In Vivo and In Vitro Studies (2 er.) This course will introduce the principles of tracer methodology and apply that methodology to the measurement of dynamic and steady state systems within the body.
Special emphasis will be placed on measuring endocrine and hemological functions.
AHL T R432 Clinical Application of Radionuclides (4 er.) Lectures covering the clinical aspects of nuclear medicine procedures, including the physiological and technical procedures for each type of study.
AHL T R437 Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine (1 er.) Lectures on the principles of radiation protection in nuclear medicine.
AHL T R440 Radio biology in Nuclear Medicine (1 er.) Lectures on the biological effects of ionizing radiation.
60 Nutrition and Dietetics
AHL T R445 Clinical Nuclear Medicine Practicum 1 (4-8 er.) Practical clinical application of nuclear medicine theory.
AHL T R446 Clinical Nuclear Medicine Practicum 2 (4-8 er.) Continuation of AHL T R445.
AHLT R447 Clinical Nuclear Medicine Practicum 3 (2-8 er.) Continuation of AHL T R446.