What is Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine is the medical specialty that utilizes very small amounts of radioactive materials for diagnosis and therapy.  Nuclear Medicine uniquely provides information about both the function and structure of virtually every organ within the body

The skills of the Nuclear Medicine Technologist complement those of the Nuclear Medicine physician and of the other professionals in the field.  Since Nuclear Medicine combines chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and medicine in using radioactivity to diagnose and treat disease, the practice of Nuclear Medicine Technology requires multi-disciplinary skills and Nuclear Medicine Technologists must successfully complete didactic and clinical training covering all these areas.

St. Vincent’s Hospital - Manhattan has a well-established training program to acquire such skills.   As a major teaching hospital affialiated with New York Medical College, it has highly trained personnel in all aspects of the field of Nuclear Medicine, along with the state-of-the art equipment and laboratories.

The School of Nuclear Medicine Technology at St. Vincent’s Hospital - Manhattan was established in January 1983 in response to a national and local shortage of Nuclear Medicine Technologists. St. Vincent’s teaching experience in this field began over twenty years ago when the hospital instituted a fellowship-training program for physicians in Nuclear Medicine.

About SVH School of Nuclear Medicine Technology

The 12-month program involves didactic lectures conducted as classroom sessions starting in October and a full-time ten month clinical internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital - Manhattan starting in December.  Students are not allowed to be absent more than 4 days in the academic phase and not more than 10 days in the clinical rotation.

Examinations are conducted of the first of December, the second week of March and a final in the last week of September.  The successful completion of the program leads to a certificate in Nuclear Medicine Technology.  In addition, it qualifies students for national examination by both the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist  (ARRT) and Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).

St. Vincent’s program is approved and accredited by the Joint Review Committe on EDucational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

The Curriculum

The curriculum adheres to the requirements established by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Phase I   Didactic Lectures: 

• Mathematics in Nuclear Medicine
• Atomic and Nuclear Physics
• Nuclear Instrumentation
• Radiation Safety
• Basic Chemistry
• Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Computers in Nuclear Medicine
• Imaging Procedures
• Nonimaging Procedures
• Radiobiology
• Clinical Nuclear Medicine
• Interpersonal Relationships and medical Ethics
• Patients Care and Emergency

Phase II Clinical Internship:

• Laboratories

  1. Radiopharmacy
  2. Instrumentation
  3. Radiation Safety

• Practical Internship

  1. Imaging Procedures
  2. Nonimaging Procedures
  3. Clinical Data Processing
  4. Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine

The Requirements for Admission

Candidates who wish to enroll in the Nuclear Medicine Technology program must have completed high school or its equivalent.  They must also fulfill one of the following requirements:

• Registered (ARRT) Radiologic Technologist
• Registered (ASCP) Medical Technologist
• Bachelor of Science degree from American College or foreign equivalent
• Two or more years of college study in the sciences (credits to be evaluated by the admissions committee).
• Registered Nurse

Application Procedure

All applicants must submit the following materials for review:

• Completed application form
• Transcript of all post-secondary school education, including college and/or technical/vocational school
• Two letters of recommendation from qualified individuals not related to applicant (teacher, employer, etc.)

Each applicant will be evaluated on the basis of his/her educational background and the result of an interview with members of the Admissions Committee.