Nuclear Medicine Technology, B.S.

Curriculum

Mission Statement

Consistent with the mission of the University, the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at AdventHealth University (AHU) provides an environment where students pursue technical expertise in the field of nuclear medicine while respecting their own spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical development.

Program Description

The nuclear medicine technologist is a trained professional using radioactive pharmaceuticals in diagnostic, therapeutic, and investigative applications in the field of medicine. A nuclear medicine technologist employs small quantities of radioactive materials to help visualize and define tumors and malfunctioning organs and observe the physiology of cardiac, bone, liver, and other organ functions. Highly specialized imaging equipment and computers are subsequently used to generate body system images.

Policies

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Student Handbook Supplement contains the policies of the program. By accepting enrollment as a Nuclear Medicine Technology student, each applicant agrees to abide by the regulations as outlined.

All students must present:

• Proof of health insurance before entering the clinical environment and must maintain this insurance for the duration of the program.
• Yearly verification of tuberculosis screening. If the test is positive, refer to the Communicable Disease Policy in the Student Handbook for more information.
• Updated immunization records including hepatitis B, MMR and Tetanus-Diphtheria.
• Verification of varicella vaccination or show immunity (titer).
• Evidence of physical examination within three months prior to beginning the professional program.
• Verification of current certification in professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association, including infant, child, and adult CPR (certifications completed through on-line offerings are NOT acceptable).
• Successful annual completion of mask FIT test, as administered by the program or obtained independently.

A background check is required for admission into the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program. The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and various state licensing agencies require disclosure of all misdemeanor and felony convictions. The results of this background check may impact eligibility for certification and licensure and should be completed in advance of beginning an educational program.

A professional program fee will be charged to cover the additional costs of the nuclear medicine technology program (see the Fee Schedule in the Financial Information section of the Academic Catalog).

Mental and Physical Requirements for Applicants

Applicants seeking admission to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program must be able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to:

• Visually observe and assess a patient, discriminate color and depth, read and accurately complete reports, and visualize diagnostic/monitoring equipment in dimmed light.
• Auditorily monitor and assess patient health needs, monitor various equipment and background sounds, and communicate by telephone.
• Verbally communicate in a clear and concise manner.
• Communicate sufficiently to interact with others in appropriate professional, verbal, and written form.
• Read and interpret relevant medical data from patients’ charts, reports, and orders.
• Safely lift and transfer patients to accomplish bed/chair/stretcher transfer with assistance or assistive devices.
• Safely push a gurney or wheelchair.
• Stand or sit for an extended period of time.
• Demonstrate sufficient manual dexterity necessary to perform activities specific to this professional program.
• Possess critical thinking skills sufficient to think clearly and act professionally, safely, and accurately in stressful situations.
• Professionally interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

In addition to the criteria listed above, the following requirements are specific to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program including, but not limited to:

• Push and operate portable imaging equipment.
• Reach and operate equipment up to a height of six feet above the floor.

Admission

A successful applicant for admission to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program must meet the general requirements for admission to AdventHealth University (AHU) (see General College Admission in the Admission Information section) and:

1. Submit the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Application once admitted to the University. The application can be accessed at http://www.adu.edu.
2. Have a minimum college GPA of 2.70 on all prerequisite courses and a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.70. GPAs presented to the admissions committee for each applicant will be a cumulative record of all college-level work.
3. Complete prerequisite courses by the program start date. Prerequisite courses are Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, College Algebra, English Composition I, English Composition II, and Applied or Elementary Statistics. Applicants that have completed a minimum of 12 college-level credits at AHU and have completed the prerequisite courses by the admission deadline will be given preference for program admission.

4. A minimum ACT composite score of 19 with an individual score of 19 in math, or a combined SAT score of 990 with an individual 510 in math.  Applicants with 24 or more credits from a regionally accredited college are exempt from taking the ACT or SAT.

5. Submit two recommendations on AHU Recommendation Forms. If an applicant to an undergraduate program has completed at least one trimester at AdventHealth University (AHU) before being admitted to a program, one of the two recommendations must come from any AHU faculty member, adjunct professor, tutoring coordinator, chaplain, or academic coach/advisor. Special recommendation forms for this requirement are available in the Office of Enrollment Services.
6. Each applicant is required to write an essay as part of the admission process. The essay should address each of the following: the applicant’s reasons for wanting to enter the Nuclear Medicine Technology program; the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue this course of study at AHU, a faith-based institution, and future goals; the applicant’s characteristics and abilities that qualify him or her for this profession; the applicant’s motivation for choosing a career in Nuclear Medicine Technology; and the applicant’s perception of how nuclear medicine technologists contribute to healthcare and how an educational experience at AHU will enable the applicant to make future contributions. Essays should be typed using Times New Roman, 12-point black font, be one to two pages in length, double spaced with one-inch margins. Essays are reviewed for clarity, correct spelling, grammar, and content.
7. Although a job shadow in Nuclear Medicine Technology is not mandatory prior to admission, prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of Imaging Sciences to complete a job shadow with one of the faculty members in order to gain knowledge of the profession.
8. Competitive applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Meeting minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee an invitation for an interview.  Every applicant who wishes to be accepted to the program must complete the interview process.

Admission into all professional programs is competitive. Each program has a maximum number of students that can be admitted each year. Students meeting the admission requirements for a given program qualify to be considered for admission to that program. However, due to the competitive nature of each program’s admission process, meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Students may be given preferential consideration for admission to degree and certificate programs when they have successfully completed 12 college-level hours at AHU.

Each applicant accepted to an on-campus professional program is expected to pay a nonrefundable deposit of $200 to reserve his or her place in the program. The applicant’s acceptance letter will contain a deposit amount and deadline indicating when the deposit must be received by AHU. Once the student enrolls in the program, this deposit will be applied toward the student’s account. Students who have paid the deposit, but decide not to enroll in the program, will forfeit the deposit. If that student is admitted to the same program at a later date, he or she will be required to pay the full deposit amount again. If an applicant is admitted to a program with prerequisites in progress and becomes ineligible for admission due to his or her grades, a full refund will be provided. A professional program deposit is not transferable to another department. Online Education students are not required to pay a program deposit.

Progression

Students may progress in the Program provided they:

1. Have received a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in each Nuclear Medicine Technology course.
2. Have received a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in each of the following cognate courses: Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, College Algebra, Elementary or Applied Statistics, Physics I, and Physics II.
3. Successfully repeat courses in which the minimum grade is not achieved. No more than two courses may be repeated, and only one of these may be a Nuclear Medicine Technology course.
4. Present annual verification of tuberculosis screening. If the test is positive, refer to the Communicable Disease Policy in the Student Handbook for more information. Have updated immunizations including hepatitis B, and have proof of health insurance. Verify current certification in professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association, including infant, child, and adult CPR.

Students who do not complete a trimester or progress with their class cannot be assured of placement in the following class. Readmission is subject to available space. Students will be readmitted under current program policies.

Readmission

Students are considered for readmission to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program when they meet admission requirements and:

1. Submit a Readmission Application to the Nuclear Medicine Technology program director eight weeks prior to the trimester in which seeking admission.
2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
3. Meet the department policies regarding health records, professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), from the American Heart Association (infant, child, and adult CPR), FIT testing, and a current background check.
4. Undergo a faculty review of prior academic and clinical performance; including reason(s) for withdrawal or dismissal; along with evidence of the applicant’s efforts to strengthen areas of weakness.
5. Meet the time limits for program completion as outlined in the Academic Catalog.

 If a lapse of time greater than two years occurs in a student’s program of study, prior nuclear medicine credits will not be accepted.

Students who have been permanently dismissed are not eligible for readmission.

Readmission is limited to a single occurrence. Students may not be readmitted more than once into the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program.

Readmission is not automatic and is contingent on available space. Students readmitted will be held to the current program policies.

Completion

AdventHealth University (AHU) will consider students for graduation and conferral of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology when they have met the general University requirements for graduation (see Graduation in the Bulletin) and accomplish the following:

1. Complete a minimum of 124 trimester hours of credit.
2. Complete the prescribed course of study (see Curriculum below).
3. Achieve a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in all Nuclear Medicine Technology and cognate courses.
4. Achieve a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in all University courses.
5. Complete a minimum of 50% of credits in residence at AHU before graduation.
6. Demonstrate computer skills by successful completion of the computer challenge exam or a computer course.
7. Complete the service-learning requirement. Please refer to your Program Handbook for more information.