Certificate Program (Available January 2007)

Briarwood College is pleased to announce that it has been granted licensure by the Connecticut State Board of Governors for Higher Education to implement a Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate Program beginning in January 2007.

The College is in the process of applying for national accreditation. When accreditation is granted, graduates of this program will be able to take the national licensure examination.

Program Objectives

The Certificate Program in Nuclear Medicine Technology prepares students for certification and licensure as medical technologists. They will be prepared to work in hospitals, medical centers, outpatient clinics, imaging facilities, public health institutions, and government and private research institutes.

The objectives of the program are to prepare students for entry level positions by teaching:

• The role of the technologist in the field of nuclear medicine
• How to exercise good judgment in assessing and responding to patients’ needs prior to, during, and after procedures in the nuclear medicine department.
• How to evaluate and maintain a quality control program for all instrumentation to ensure its proper performance and stability.
• How to use appropriate techniques to ensure quality diagnostic images and/or laboratory results.
• How to prepare, calculate, document, and administer doses of radioactive isotopes in therapeutic and diagnostic venues using a variety of radioisotope equipment.
• How to store, dispose, and safely handle radioactive materials used by the nuclear medicine technologist.
• How to educate the public while practicing techniques that will minimize radiation exposure to patients, the general public, and healthcare personnel consistent with ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable).

Admission Policy

This certificate program is for students who have already completed a radiological technology or medical sonography degree and/or certificate, have completed the general education components, and who now wish to enter the field of nuclear medicine.

Transcripts of all previous college or university level studies as well as a reference letter documenting employment in the field are required. Candidates who are not currently employed in the field with college credits more than five years old may be required to repeat specific science or mathematics prerequisites.

Career Information

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for certified nuclear medicine technologists will grow faster than average through the year 2010. It has the second largest recognized shortage among allied health professions today.

Internships

The inclusion of internship/practicum courses provides a means of assessing the student’s proficiency both in the essential competencies and program requirements. Students will be required to fulfill 1500 hours of internships at various sites to meet the necessary competencies.

Program Requirements:

• Students will be responsible for their own uniforms, physical examinations, travel to clinic sites, parking, and meals.
• Drug screening may be required by the clinical site
• Students will be required to maintain a “C” in each and all mathematics, science, and program specific courses.
• An overall grade point average of 2.5 is required in addition to the published program competencies
• Enrollment is limited. Priority will be assigned based on the date of deposit. Briarwood graduates seeking to enroll in the program under the College’s Education for Life policy will be accommodated on a space available basis.