Certificate in Nuclear Medicine Technology
KU's certificate program in nuclear medicine technology is a 12-month accredited program which prepares technologists to inject radiopharmaceuticals and use highly technical cameras and computers in a clinical setting. The program is delivered in collaboration with The University of Kansas Health System and Department of Radiology.
A certificate from the University of Kansas is awarded to the student upon successful completion of the program. Graduates are eligible to take the national registry examinations given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and/or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
More about this profession can be found on the program's website.
Degree/Credential Requirements
Applicants must currently be one of the following registered professionals OR possess a bachelor's degree in a health science field such as biology or chemistry:
- Registered Radiology Technologist (ARRT)1
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (ARDMS)1
- Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (ARDMS)1
- Certified Medical Technologist
- Registered Nurse
- Associate's degree in a medical imaging profession with current registry or licensure
Credentials or transcripts not from an accredited U.S. academic institution require evaluation by the KU Office of International Student Services before they can be accepted for eligibility.
- 1
The applicant may be a registry candidate but must pass the registry before entrance into the program.
Prerequisite Courses
The following college courses must be completed to be eligible for this program. Student transcripts must document an individual course grade of no less than "C" on each prerequisite course.
- College algebra
- College English
- Chemistry with lab
- General physics
- Medical terminology
- Humanities course
- Social sciences course
- Human anatomy with lab
- Human physiology with lab
- Speech/Oral communication
An overall grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is required.
Health and Physical Requirements
Good physical and mental health are essential to the field of nuclear medicine. Specifically, excellent visual acuity is necessary. The student must also have manual dexterity, sufficient hearing and speech, and good physical coordination in positioning patients and operating nuclear medicine equipment. Students must have full utility of both arms, hands and fingers in order to perform examinations and operate equipment. The ability to handle extremely heavy objects is required.
Physical or other disabilities are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the program and by the Office of Institutional Access and Opportunity. Please review the program's technical standards for details.
Background Check/Drug Screening
The Joint Commission requires all incoming students to pay for a background check. Applicants will be asked to provide information and make the payment once officially accepted into the program. A drug screening is also be required. For more information, please see the School of Health Professions background check information.
International Students
An applicant is considered an international student if he or she requires a visa, or currently resides in the U.S. with non-immigrant status, or currently resides in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency. Additional requirements and documentation, such as proof of English language proficiency, are required for international students to become eligible for KU programs. Please review the information for international students before applying.
Grade-point average and other requirements also apply. Prospective students should review the complete program eligibility requirements and application instructions on the program's website.
The educational programs of the University of Kansas reserve the right to make changes without prior notice to any of the polices stated in this document.
The student spends 40 hours a week in the 12-month program, with time divided between classroom courses and clinical instruction. The Nuclear Medicine Division of the Department of Radiology at KU Medical Center performs a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic exams. The student will receive experience in nuclear pharmacy, patient care, imaging of bone, kidney, brain, lung, GI tract and cardiac function, Positron Emission Tomography and an overview of computed tomography. More details about the program curriculum can be found on the program’s website.
A certificate from the University of Kansas is awarded to the student upon successful completion of the program. Graduates are eligible to take the national registry examinations given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and/or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| NMED 70 | 3 | NMED 80 | 3 | NMED 90 | 3 |
| NMED 71 | 2 | NMED 82 | 1 | NMED 91 | 5 |
| NMED 72 | 3 | NMED 83 | 3 | ||
| NMED 73 | 3 | NMED 84 | 10 | ||
| NMED 74 | 1 | NMED 85 | 1 | ||
| NMED 75 | 6 | ||||
| 18 | 18 | 8 | |||
| Total Hours 44 | |||||
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | Semester 2 | Hours | Semester 3 | Hours |
| NMED 70 | 3 | NMED 80 | 3 | NMED 90 | 3 |
| NMED 71 | 2 | NMED 82 | 1 | NMED 91 | 5 |
| NMED 72 | 3 | NMED 83 | 3 | ||
| NMED 73 | 3 | NMED 84 | 10 | ||
| NMED 74 | 1 | NMED 85 | 1 | ||
| NMED 75 | 6 | ||||
| 18 | 18 | 8 | |||
| Total Hours 44 | |||||
Technical Standards
Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate Program
The program prepares candidates to practice nuclear medicine technology within organizations and businesses. Graduates require knowledge and skills to function in diverse practice settings. An essential requirement for completing the nuclear medicine technology certificate program is an ability to function within a clinical learning environment and to interact with a variety of interprofessional teams and patients. Candidates admitted to the program must be able to perform the following.
Successful completion of the certificate program in nuclear medicine technology implies that the graduate will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and competently deliver patient care as nuclear medicine technology provider. In the role as a health care provider, nuclear medicine technologist be able to deliver urgent and non-urgent care to patients of all ages and in all settings. Including hospital, chronic care facilities and in the home. The current health care system also requires the nuclear medicine technologist to be skilled in age-specific patient education. Therefore, all applicants and matriculating students must meet the expectations listed below. These expectations may be achieved with or without reasonable accommodation.
The following abilities and expectations are required of all graduates and matriculating students in the Department of Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science.
Visual – Auditory: The applicant/student must be able to accurately observe patients from a distance or close at hand, correctly read and interpret digital, analogue or graphic gauges, scales and monitors, and recognize biohazardous fluids. The applicant/student must be able to hear audio and see visual alarms. They must also be able to hear breath and heart sounds with a stethoscope and see cardiac/pulmonary waveforms on monitoring screens.
Sensory-Motor: The applicant/student must have sufficient fine and gross motor skill capabilities to perform patient care procedures. These procedures include but are not limited to the following: palpating, auscultating, percussing the chest, administering medications using airway and endotracheal access, obtaining blood samples from veins and arteries, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, turning and lifting patients, moving heavy, bulky equipment, maneuvering in tight places, and assembling and calibrating respiratory care equipment.
Communication: The applicant/student must be able to communicate accurately, orally and in writing, with all members of the healthcare team. They must also be able to perceive non-verbal communication. They must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, families and health care providers.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The applicant/student must be able to comprehend and apply concepts to the clinical setting. This involves physiologic measurements, mathematical computation, information gathering, interpretation and analysis of data, and problem solving.
Behavioral and Social Attributes: The applicant/student must act professionally and exercise good judgement, critical thinking, complete patient care responsibilities, and maintain effective relationships with others in classroom, laboratory and clinical settings. Applicants/students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and function in the uncertainties inherent to the health care setting. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all important personal important qualities.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION AND RETENTION
Technical standards identify the requirements for admission, retention, and graduation of applicants and students respectively. I have reviewed and understand the requirements set forth in the Technical Standards for admission to, continuation in, and graduation from the KU School of Health Professions Department of Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science.
To my knowledge, I can meet the requirements set forth in the Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodation. I understand that it is the responsibility of candidates needing accommodation to register with and provide documentation of their disability and specific functional limitations to the Academic Accommodations Office, (913) 945-7035 or cukoko@kumc.edu. Candidates are encouraged to engage in this process now, in advance of new student orientation and the start of classes. Candidates are also encouraged to review The Students with Disabilities Policy, which contains additional information related to academic accommodations and is available at:
https://kumc-publicpoliciesandprocedures.policystat.com/policy/13228748/latest
KUMC is an EO/Title IX institution - reviewed April 2023