UB Programs At-A-Glance

Nuclear Medicine Technology

Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences

School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
105 Parker Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3007

Phone: 716.838.5889, ext. 115
Fax: 716.838.4918
Web: nucmed.buffalo.edu/nmt/

Paul Kostyniak
Chair

Elpida Crawford
Program Director

About the Program

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program (BS) is offered by the Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences and is supported in part by the Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Please direct inquiries to Elpida Crawford.

Nuclear medicine technology is a health-related profession concerned with use of radioactive materials for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes. Nuclear medicine is one of the diagnostic imaging modalities. Although the scope of nuclear medicine technology is not limited to organ imaging, that is one of the major aspects of the work. It is a highly technical profession with a lot of patient interaction. The nuclear medicine technologist works very closely with the nuclear medicine physician. There is a big demand for well-trained nuclear medicine technologists. Jobs are available in hospitals, outpatient facilities and clinics, commercial equipment companies, and commercial radiopharmacies.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program prepares students for entry-level positions as staff technologists. Each student receives a solid foundation in all nuclear medicine procedures. Students who complete the program are eligible to take national certification examinations in nuclear medicine technology.

About Our Degrees

NMT is one of the diagnostic imaging modalities. It is not x-ray, CT or CAT scanning, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound. Nuclear medicine procedures use small amounts of radioactive materials to study the function of the internal organs. A smaller aspect of the work is radionuclide therapy. The nuclear medicine technologist is a highly skilled individual who, in conjunction with the physician, either directs or participates in the daily operation of the nuclear medicine department. The responsibilities are varied but include three major roles: technical skills, patient care, and administrative functions.

The University at Buffalo Nuclear Medicine Technology Program prepares entry-level technologists through an interdisciplinary curriculum of basic science study and clinical education. In the freshman and sophomore year, students take math and science prerequisite courses for NMT and general education courses. In the junior year, students take the basic science of nuclear medicine courses (nine courses totaling 26 credit hours). Students have clinical internships and nuclear medicine courses in the senior year.

Twelve to fifteen students are accepted into the program (as juniors) each year.

Acceptance Criteria

Applications to the program should be made before February 15 in the sophomore year. A minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite science and mathematics courses is necessary for consideration for admission into the program. Every applicant who completes the prerequisite courses prior to admission and has the minimum GPA is invited for an interview. Selection is based on GPA and information gathered through the interview process. Decisions regarding acceptance are made prior to the end of the spring semester.

Acceptance Information

Number of applicants/year: 20-25
Number of accepted majors/year: 12-15
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 24

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Facilities

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program utilizes the following sites for clinical training experience:

Buffalo Cardiology and Pulmonary Associates
Buffalo Medical Group
Erie County Medical Center
Kaleida Health's Buffalo General Hospital, Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, and Millard Fillmore Hospitals
Kenmore Mercy Hospital
Lockport Memorial Hospital
Mercy Hospital
Merhige's Cardiology Clinic
Mount Saint Mary's Hospital
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
St. Joseph Hospital
Sisters of Charity Hospital
VA Western New York Healthcare System
Williamsville Medical Imaging, PC

The Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, operates the Central Radiopharmaceutical Service, which provides radiopharmaceuticals to more than twenty-five nuclear medicine departments in the greater Buffalo area. This facility, located off campus on Aero Drive, is where program students obtain practical experience in radiopharmacy.

The university's Department of Nuclear Medicine also operates a positron emission tomography (PET) center together with the VA Western New York Healthcare System. PET, a unique aspect of nuclear medicine, is used for both research and diagnostic clinical studies. The PET center includes a large cyclotron facility for the production of PET radiopharmaceuticals located in Parker Hall, and three PET scanners: one at the VA, one at Millard Fillmore Hospital, and one at a medical office in Amherst. Two cardiology offices in Buffalo with PET scanners are also affiliated NMT program clinical training sites.

About Our Courses

Most NMT courses are reserved for majors. Students interested in learning more about the field of nuclear medicine are encouraged to take NMD 210 Introduction to NMT, which is offered in the fall semester.

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

The faculty of the Department of Nuclear Medicine and the NMT Program come from diverse backgrounds. It includes physicists, chemists, pharmacists, radiopharmacists, physicians, computer scientists and technologists.

See a list of our undergraduate faculty.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Internship

Students spend four days a week both semesters of the senior year in clinical rotations. Each student has two 10-week rotations in a hospital nuclear medicine department and a series of short rotations, which include but are not limited to, the University's Central Radiopharmacy Service, Children's Hospital, several sites with Positron Emission Tomography, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and a cardiology office that performs nuclear cardiology. All clinical sites used by the program at this time are within a 25-mile radius of the campus. All have state-of-the-art equipment.

Extracurricular Activities

See the UB Student Association.

Complimentary Programs and Courses

Students that have time in their schedules are encouraged to minor in business administration, computer science, or chemistry; however, having a minor is not a requirement either for graduation or for employment after graduation.

Career Information and Further Study

There are numerous employment opportunities in New York State and across the U.S. Starting salaries are excellent and rising each year. The majority of positions are in hospitals, physician's offices, and outpatient imaging centers. Many UB Program graduates have moved into supervisory positions relatively quickly. Nuclear medicine technologists can branch into health physics, or work for commercial companies in sales, research, or education. Program graduates may also pursue graduate or professional degrees.

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:13 EST