BACKGROUND

Nuclear Medicine technologists work in a clinical field of medicine concerned with the diagnostic and therapeutic use of radioactive materials in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases and disorders.

The Nuclear Medicine technologists perform varied procedures under the supervision of a physician. They are trained in the use and control of radioactive pharmaceutical agents, the safe administration of these agents to patients, the application of research techniques to Nuclear Medicine, and the performance of administrative procedures necessary to maintain appropriate records. Technologists function in a number of different roles related to the treatment of patients and the diagnosis of diseases. During imaging procedures, for example, the Nuclear Medicine technologist is concerned with the patient’s safety and comfort, as well as the technical aspects of the procedure. In addition, the technologist applies his or her training in medical science and technology in order to accurately perform and record diagnostic procedures.

In Texas there are 5 schools of Nuclear Medicine Technology: Amarillo College in Amarillo; Baylor College of Medicine in Houston; Houston Community College in Houston; University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and Galveston College in Galveston.

The specific program curriculum presented here corresponds to Galveston College. The professional courses are taught at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Allied Health Sciences and clinical education is undertaken at the UTMB Hospitals.

Admission to programs in the division of Radiologic Health Sciences is possible through Galveston College. To be eligible for admission to the associate degree/certificate programs, the applicant must be a graduate of an accredited high school or hold a General Education Development Certificate. Applicants must submit an official application, arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly to the Galveston College Registrar and complete an interview with the Director of the program. Upon successful completion of all academic and clinical requirements for the associate degree programs, the student is awarded the Associate in Applied Science degree from Galveston College and a Certificate of Completion from The University of Texas School of Allied Health Sciences at Galveston. Then graduate is eligible to apply for certificate/licensure.

The duration of the program is 2 years and at completion of the program candidates are eligible to take the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) examination. The NMTCB was founded in 1977 to establish and maintain a voluntary program for certification of Nuclear Medicine technologists These exams certify that the candidate is knowledgeable in Nuclear Medicine Technology. In addition, a State license is required to practice Nuclear Medicine Technology in the state of Texas. Biannual renewal of the license requires 12 hours/year of Continuing Education credit.

During the 1990s, legislative interest in the relationship between economic development and workforce education has increased in Texas. Education as well as business leaders have asked whether the State is providing sufficient education in a timely manner to prepare the highly skilled workforce needed to ensure our economic development and competitiveness in the 21^st century. Several statewide committees have focused efforts to clarify and communicate the role of Texas community and technical colleges in preparing such a workforce. The committees’ reports indicated support for the creation of a comprehensive system of workforce education that effectively addresses and responds to the needs of Texas business and industry as well as to the employment/career preparatory needs of Texans in the state’s current and future workforce.

In conjunction with the committees’ recommendations to refine, strengthen, and coordinate the delivery of workforce education and in line with trends toward the streamlining of the role of state oversight, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board encouraged the development of the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM). The WECM will provide a statewide inventory of technical and continuing education courses that colleges may use to respond quickly to the needs of business and industry. Instead of each college struggling to create courses and programs "from scratch," the WECM will offer a means for the continual design and updating of high quality workforce courses using the collective talents and experiences of instructional specialists from across the state. Colleges looking to begin a program or course will be able to draw on similar programs or courses developed by other colleges.

Important and essential to the effective creation and implementation of the WECM are established and emerging industry skill standards. State and national standards strengthen the relevance of the curriculum for the workplace, facilitate students’ transition from school to work, and provide a basis for educators to meet clearly defined employer expectations. This will give us a standardized discipline specific curriculum through-out the State giving the student the ability to easily transfer from one program to another in this mobile age. It also helps guarantee the employers of a similarly educated and trained workforce to pick from.

When working on this project we knew that we must comply with the Joint Review Commission on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) requirements for program accreditation. We needed to also cover thoroughly the four areas of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) exam. These are Radiation Safety, Instrumentation, Clinical Procedures, and Radiopharmacy. Listed are the discipline specific courses and the curriculum of the Galveston College program.

CURRICULUM

Course Title: Introduction to Nuclear Medicine

Course Description: Introduction to the field of Nuclear Medicine with emphasis on the principles of radiation safety, health physics, and the various studies performed in a Nuclear Medicine area.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the history and development of Nuclear Medicine and the basic math and science needed for application of Nuclear Medicine in radiation safety and instrumentation; explain the principles and employ the methodologies of radiation safety and health physics; and exhibit comprehension of the studies and procedures performed in a Nuclear Medicine clinic.

Lab required.

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Data Processing

Course Description: Develops proficiency in the use of Nuclear Medicine computer systems including computer processing of various Nuclear Medicine procedures.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will understand the operation of a computer; identify computer terms, relate the components of a computer system; explain basic computer processing used in Nuclear Medicine; and process basic Nuclear Medicine studies for the best outcome.

Lab required.

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation

Course Description: Theory and application of electronic instrumentation used in the direction and analysis of ionizing radiation with special emphasis on gamma spectrometry and quality assurance relevant to Nuclear Medicine instruments.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will explain the radioactive decay process and the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter; describe the operation of the electrical components of various radiation detection systems; relate the principles of operation of gas-filled detectors, scintillation detection systems, and liquid scintillation systems; determine a statistically accurate counting rate for a radiation detector; describe and differentiate the various imaging systems including scintillation cameras, multi-crystal cameras, and tomographic imaging systems: and discuss and apply the best quality control measures for continuous quality improvement.

Lab required.

Course Title: Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy

Course Description: Basic concepts of radiochemistry and radiopharmacy including the atomic structure, radioactive decay, and production of various radionuclides. Emphasis on radiopharmaceuticals and their ideal characteristics, biodistribution, and clinical applications, the various dosage forms in which they may be dispensed; quality control tests; and their formation and dispensing.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will understand the concepts of radiopharmacy; explain atomic structures and electronic configuration of atoms: describe various methods of radionuclide production and radiolabeling; interpret the mechanism of localization of various radiopharmaceuticals; cite quality control tests of various radiopharmaceuticals; identify radiation safety practices; and relate federal and state regulations governing the use of radiopharmaceuticals.

Lab required.

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Physics

Course Description: This course provides a comprehensive study of the physical principles associated with Nuclear Medicine.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will know the basic atomic structure and basic nuclear structure including an energy well diagram describing the energy relationships. Understand radioactivity as a consequence of nuclear instabilities, decay modes, radiation’s emitted, and interactions with matter. Utilize the mathematics needed for calculation of radioactivity and photon attenuation in matter. Perform statistical analysis related to Nuclear Medicine physics.

Course Title: Radiation Biology and Safety

Course Description: This course presents principles of radiation biology and safety relevant to the Nuclear Medicine technology student. Topics include the effects of radiation on biologic systems, genetic and subcellular interactions and occupational exposure of Nuclear Medicine personnel.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will calculate acceptable radiation dose limits for various groups within the population. Utilize radiation safety principles involved in record keeping in compliance with current regulations. Discuss the somatic and genetic effects of radiation. Identify ways to reduce patient and occupational exposure to radiation. List and describe both early and delayed effects of radiation.

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Methodology I

Course Description: Introduction to the history, theory, and use of Radioassay. Topics include the hematopoietic, lymphatic, and endocrine systems.

Course Learning Outcomes: Discuss the techniques used in radioassay; identify the components of the hematopoietic and lymphatic systems and the function of each; summarize the various hematologic studies conducted in a Nuclear Medicine facility and if given appropriate data, calculate the various values; and describe how the absorption and serum levels of essential nutrients are measured using radionuclides. The student will identify the anatomy and discuss the physiology/pathology of the endocrine system; state the indications for procedures performed; list the radiopharmaceuticals used; specify the equipment required to perform the procedures; discuss technical errors and methods of prevention; and identify normal and abnormal patterns of radiopharmaceutical distribution on typical studies.

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Methodology II

Course Description: Focus on the basic principles involved in all diagnostic and therapeutic tests and procedures normally found in a Nuclear Medicine facility with emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiopharmaceuticals, instrumentation, data analysis, and diagnostic value. Includes the cardiovascular, genitourinary, respiratory systems, and miscellaneous procedures.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will identify the most common reasons for ordering each study (pathology for which Nuclear Medicine procedures are of diagnostic value): list clinical findings that are consistent with the suspected pathology; describe the historical and current radiopharmaceuticals used for each study; cite any procedures and/or substances that may interfere with the performance of a valid test; explain any contraindications or adverse reactions associated with the study: and outline any associated patient preparation. The student will specify equipment required for valid performance of the study; summarize the entire test procedure; discuss technical pitfalls associated with the study and methods of preventing and/or correcting technical problems associated with the study; relate possible alterations in the routine procedure; and identify normal and abnormal patterns of radiopharmaceutical distribution on typical studies.

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Methodology III

Course Description: Focus on the basic principles involved in all diagnostic and therapeutic tests and procedures normally found in a Nuclear Medicine facility with emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiopharmaceuticals, instrumentation, data analysis, and diagnostic value. Includes the gastrointestinal, central nervous, skeletal systems, and tumors and inflammatory processes.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will identify the most common reasons for ordering each study (pathology for which Nuclear Medicine procedures are of diagnostic value): list clinical findings that are consistent with the suspected pathology; describe the historical and current radiopharmaceuticals used for each study; cite any procedures and/or substances that may interfere with the performance of a valid test: explain any contraindications or adverse reactions associated with the study; and outline any associated patient preparation. The student will specify equipment required for valid performance of the study: summarize the entire test procedure; discuss technical pitfalls associated with the study and methods of preventing and/or correcting technical problems associated with the study; relate possible alterations in the routine procedure; and identify normal and abnormal patterns of radiopharmaceutical distribution on typical studies.

Course Title: Special Topics in Nuclear Medicine Technology/Technician

Course Description: Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student.

Course Learning Outcomes: Learning outcomes/objectives are determined by local occupational need and business and industry trends.

Course Title: Practicum (or Field Experience) - Nuclear Medicine Technology/Technician

Course Description: Practical general training and experiences in the workplace. The college with the employer develops and documents an individualized plan for the student. The plan relates the workplace training and experiences to the student’s general and technical course of study. The guided external experiences may be paid or unpaid. This course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary.

Course Learning Outcomes: As outlined in the learning plan, the student will master the theory, concepts, and skills involving the tools, materials, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, and legal systems associated with the workplace: demonstrate ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, appropriate verbal and written communications in the workplace.

Course Title: Clinical - Nuclear Medicine Technology/Technician

Course Description: A method of instruction providing detailed education, training and work-based experience and direct patient/client care, generally at a clinical site. Specific detailed learning objectives are developed for each course by the faculty. On-site clinical instruction, supervision, evaluation and placement are the responsibility of the college faculty. Clinical experiences are unpaid external learning experiences. Course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary.

Course Learning Outcomes: As outlined in the learning plan, the student will apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the particular occupation and the business/industry; demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, communicating in the applicable language of the occupation and the business or industry.

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Seminar

Course Description: This is a capstone course focusing on the synthesis of professional knowledge, skill, and attitudes in preparation for professional employment and lifelong learning.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will synthesize professional knowledge, skills and attitude; demonstrate entry level competencies for professional employment and demonstrate skills for lifelong learning.

Course Title: Nuclear Medicine Patient Care

Course Description: This course includes medical terminology, an introduction to the health care team, and ethical and legal issues for health care professionals. Patient assessment, transport procedures, infection control procedures, emergency and safety procedures, communication and patient interaction skills, and phlebotomy and injection procedures are also included.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will define basic medical terms; apply ethical and legal standards to given health care situations; assess patient condition and interact appropriately; respond appropriately to emergency situations.

REFERENCES

• The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
  http://www.nmtcb.org/

• The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
  http://www.arrt.org/ce.htm

• Galveston College
  http://www.gc.edu/gc/Nuclear_Medicine_Technology_AAS.asp?SnID=2

• School of Allied Health Science
  http://shp.utmb.edu/home.asp

• The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
  http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/

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