Nuclear Medicine Technology — B.S.

Program director
Raynold Ho

The Program

Nuclear medicine uses radioactivity to diagnose and treat disease. This medical specialty provides information about both the structure and the function of virtually every major organ system within the body. Nuclear medicine procedures are safe, involve little or no patient discomfort, and do not require the use of anesthesia.

The nuclear medicine technologist is responsible for preparing and administering radio-pharmaceuticals; performing patient-imaging procedures; accomplishing computer processing and image enhancement; analyzing biologic specimens; and providing images, data analysis, and patient information for diagnostic interpretation by the physician health-care team member.

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nuclear medicine is a face-to-face program and is completed in 24 to 27 months. In addition to radiation sciences core courses, this program will include CT didactic courses. With the addition of the B.S. degree core, there are now 27 units taught online (less than 25 percent of the program). These courses are given by faculty members experienced in online teaching. Students will interact with the faculty, their classmates, and the content material. 

Content for nuclear medicine courses is guided by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), and the American Registry of Radiation Technologists (ARRT) content specifications. The content for the computed tomography (CT) courses is guided by the American Society of Radiation Technologists (ASRT), as well as the American Registry of Radiation Technologists (ARRT) specifications. Efforts are also made to assist students in experiencing the core values of Loma Linda University. The state of California requires approximately 1,000 clinical hours in nuclear medicine; this program provides more than 1,550 clinical hours in nuclear medicine, and more than 250 clinical hours in CT procedures and patient care.  

Objectives

During the B.S. degree in nuclear medicine technology program, students take formal coursework along with instruction in the clinical aspects of nuclear medicine. This includes participation, under close supervision, in the actual procedures within the nuclear medicine department. 

Students are required to follow the guidelines given by the NMTCB and the ARRT as well as meet required competencies each quarter. Students should accomplish the required competencies in the following areas: skeletal, CNS, cardiovascular, endocrine/exocrine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory, radiopharmacy, venipuncture, vital signs, and EKG placement and monitoring. Students will receive more than 1,550 hours of nuclear medicine and 250 hours of CT clinical experience.

Program learning outcomes

By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities necessary for the practice of nuclear medicine.
2. Practice safe, compassionate patient care, including appreciation and respect for cultural diversity.
3. Demonstrate appropriate critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in nuclear medicine.
4. Maintain and apply competent skills and knowledge by interacting with fellow professionals, attending educational conferences, and staying current with changing technology.
5. Apply knowledge of departmental organization and function.
6. Apply quantitative reasoning to the practice of nuclear medicine.
7. Achieve required clinical competencies for nuclear medicine.

Professional registration and certification

Upon completion of the certificate requirements, the student is eligible to write the ARRT qualifying examination in nuclear medicine as well as the NMTCB and California (CTNM) certifying examination.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), 840 West Danforth Road, B1, Edmond, OK 73003; telephone: 405/285-0546; website: www.jrcnmt.org. The program is approved by the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch, P.O. Box 942732, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320. Loma Linda University is also accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; telephone: 510/748-9001; fax: 510/748-9797; website:  https://www.wscuc.org/contact.

To be eligible for admission to the nuclear medicine program, the applicant must fulfill the following requirements: complete the prerequisite requirements, or be a graduate of an accredited radiologic technology program who has completed the prerequisite requirements in conjunction with that program.

Admission is based on a selective process.  In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

• Minimum of 96 quarter units that are applicable to the B.S. degree program. 
• G.P.A. of 3.0 or better
• A minimum of eight hours of career observation (volunteer/employee) in a nuclear medicine department is required prior to the interview.  The observation form is located online at www.llu.edu under School of Allied Health Professions, under "forms."  Print it out and take it with you to the facility you will be observing.
• Interview

Certifications

Applicants must have all of the following certifications completed prior to the beginning of the school year.

• Current adult and child CPR card from the American Heart Association. Classes are available on campus at Life Support Education, University Arts building, 24887 Taylor Street, Suite 102. It is highly suggested that the student obtain the CPR certification prior to the start of the Nuclear Medicine Program.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites are listed as they relate to general education domains. All courses must be completed at an institutionally accredited college or university prior to entering the program. Please note: C- grades are not transferable for credit.

Domain 1: Religion (8 quarter units)

(completed during enrollment at LLU)

Domain 2: Arts and humanities (minimum 16 quarter units)

Units must be selected from at least three of the following content areas: civilization/history, art, literature, language, philosophy, religion, or general humanities electives. A minimum of 3 quarter units in an area is required to meet a "content area."

Domain 3: Scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning (minimum 12 quarter units)

• College algebra (statistics does not qualify)
• Introductory or general chemistry with laboratory
• Human anatomy and physiology with laboratory, complete sequence (two course minimum)
• Introductory or general physics at the college level (one quarter/semester)

Domain 4: Social sciences (minimum 12 quarter units)

• Selected from two of the following content areas: anthropology, economics, geography, political sciences, psychology, and sociology.
• The human diversity requirement is fulfilled in the portfolio core courses: RTCH 491 Portfolio I and RTCH 492 Portfolio II (approved by the University GE Committee).

Domain 5: Written and oral communication (minimum 9 quarter units)

• English composition, complete sequence that meets the baccalaureate degree requirements of a four-year college or university
• Other areas of study in communication may include courses in computer information systems, critical thinking, and public speaking.

Domain 6: Health and wellness (minimum 2 quarter units)

• A didactic course in health or nutrition (e.g., personal health, personal nutrition, population health, global health, and community nutrition) minimum of 2 units
• Physical education. Must include at least two separate physical activity courses totaling a minimum of one quarter units.

Other

• Medical terminology

Electives

To meet the minimum  requirement of 96 units quarter units required for matriculation, electives may be selected from the previous four domains.  For more information regarding GE requirements for graduation, see LLU general education requirements.

ARRT certified students

¹

Fulfills service learning requirement

²

Waived for prior CT certification and/or graduates of LLU’s ASMR program.

Non-ARRT certified students

¹

Fulfills service learning requirement

A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all courses in this program.

Normal time to complete the program

Four (4) years — Based on full-time enrollment, a student who is a radiologic technologist (ARRT)  completes the LLU portion of the program in eight (8) quarters (24 months).  A student who is not a radiologic technologist (Non-ARRT) starts one quarter earlier and will complete in nine (9) quarters (27 months).

Comparison

See the comparison of the ARRT certified students and Non-ARRT certified students tracks of this program.