Program Description
Nuclear medicine technology uses radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive drugs) and specialized equipment to help diagnose and treat diseases. The Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT) program is a two-year, full-time program where students are trained as nuclear medicine technologists, ready to work patients and medical staff in clinical nuclear medicine settings.
In the first year of the Nuclear Medicine Technology program, students will complete studies in patient communication and management, professional practice, radiation physics, computed tomography, anatomy and physiology, radionuclide instrumentation, nuclear medicine procedures, radiopharmacy, quality control, clinical integration, phlebotomy and intravenous injections, and radiation safety.
The second year of the NMT program involves on-line courses focusing on instrumentation, dosimetry, pathology, advanced computers, research and clinical integration. Students will also concurrently complete three clinical practica where they rotate through all areas of nuclear medicine, applying what they have learned while in these clinical settings.
Note: INFC 215 Infection Prevention and Control is available to be taken by distance education or continuing education. Regardless of which method of delivery a course is taken, it must be completed within the time frame shown in the Program Outline. Please be advised that full-time student status requires the student to take 60 percent of a full course load per semester. Depending on the number of courses completed by distance education or continuing education, students may be considered a part-time student, which may impact their financial loan status.
Program Overview
Your Career
Graduates find work as nuclear medicine technologists in hospitals, community clinics, private laboratories, research and teaching institutions. In order to find employment, many graduates must relocate across Canada or to the United States.
Student Success
• Students with higher secondary or post-secondary marks usually experience greater success in SAIT programs.
• Students are expected to spend approximately 20 hours per week outside of class studying.
• Students who experience success in this program have effective communication skills in English.
• Basic to intermediate computer skills are necessary for this field. An acceptable computer skill level would include the ability to use word processing, spreadsheets and communication software. Educational interaction in this program depends on these computer skills. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure adequacy of these skills prior to the program admission.
• Health care practitioners are detail-oriented in the care they provide, use critical thinking practice, are eager, persevere and enjoy working in a team environment.
• Students who experience success in this program have the following characteristics:
o The ability to handle unpleasant situations
o Are capable of lifting heavy objects and patients
o The ability to stand for extended periods of time
o The ability to work in difficult physical positions
o Good hand and finger dexterity and stamina; and
o Strong vision and hearing
• Because of the nature of this work, students must be capable of lifting heavy patients, standing for long periods of time, and working in awkward physical positions
• Individuals with previous chronic or repetitive strain injuries have experienced re-injury or aggravation of these conditions in this program and/or as a technologist.
Credentials and Accreditation
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Nuclear Medicine Technology diploma.
Graduates are eligible to challenge the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) certification exam which is a requirement for registration and employment for registered nuclear medicine technologists in Canada. Graduates are eligible to challenge the American Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board exam.
The Nuclear Medicine Technology program delivered by SAIT is accredited by the Canadian Medical Association. The program also works closely with our Diagnostic Imaging Advisory Committee to ensure that our curriculum continues to meet or exceed provincial and national accreditation standards.
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