Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Nuclear Medicine Technology
Career Cluster:	Health Science

AS	
CIP Number	1351090502	
Program Type	College Credit	
Program Length	75 credit hours	
CTSO	HOSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	Please see the CIP to SOC Crosswalk located at the link below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml 	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

This program is designed to prepare students for employment as radiologic technologists or nuclear medicine technologists or to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in this occupation.

The content includes but is not limited to the utilization of radioactive materials for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, patient care, administrative functions, health and safety including CPR.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 75 credit hours. 

Regulated Programs
The program must also be approved by the Department of Health Bureau of Radiation Control.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system and health occupations.
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively.
03.0	Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of and apply wellness and disease concepts.
05.0	Recognize and practice safety and security procedures.
06.0	Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
07.0	Recognize and practice infection control procedures.
08.0	Demonstrate an understanding of information technology applications in healthcare.
09.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of blood borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
11.0	Apply basic math and science skills. 
12.0	Practice radiation safety.
13.0	Practice basic radio-pharmacy.
14.0	Calculate doses and administer radiopharmaceuticals and interventional pharmaceuticals.
15.0	Perform "in vitro"/"in vivo" non-imaging procedures.
16.0	Perform imaging procedures.
17.0	Practice quality control.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Nuclear Medicine Technology
CIP Number:		1351090502 
Program Length:	75 credit hours	

Standards 1-11 are referred to as the Health Science Core and are required standards in this program. Secondary and Postsecondary students completing the health science core will not have to repeat the core in any other health science program in which it is a part.  When the recommended sequence is followed, the structure allows students to complete at specified points for employment or remain for advanced training or cross-training.  

To ensure consistency whenever these courses are offered, the health science core standards (1-11) and benchmarks have been placed in a separate document. To access this document, visit this link: 
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20569/urlt/health-sci-core-psav-cc-2324.rtf

At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
12.0	Practice radiation safety.  The student will be able to:	
12.01	Maintain compliance with local, state and federal regulations.	
12.02	Follow appropriate protection procedures for patients, coworkers, and public.	
12.03	Follow approved procedures for identifying and labeling radioactive material and radiopharmaceutical doses.  	
12.04	Perform area surveys and wipe tests. 	
12.05	Dispose of radioactive wastes appropriately and in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. 	
12.06	Apply and interpret proper personnel monitoring of radiation exposure.	
12.07	Perform decontamination procedures.	
12.08	Implement appropriate accrediting/regulatory agency guidelines. 	
13.0	Practice basic radio-pharmacy.  The student will be able to:	
13.01	Maintain radiopharmaceutical laboratory records and materials.	
13.02	Perform or simulate generator eluate. 	
13.03	Perform quality control testing on generator eluate. 	
13.04	Prepare radiopharmaceuticals including quality control tests. 	
13.05	Demonstrate understanding of ordering radiopharmaceuticals in appropriate dosage and effective time frame.	
14.0	Calculate doses and administer radiopharmaceutical and interventional pharmaceuticals.  The student will be able to:	
14.01	Perform dose calibrator quality control tests.	
14.02	Calculate the activity and volume of dose.	
14.03	Assay radiopharmaceuticals.	
14.04	Properly administer dose using appropriate route. 	
14.05	Calculate, prepare, and administer radiopharmaceuticals and interventional pharmaceuticals.	
14.06	Perform venipuncture accurately and efficiently.	
14.07	Participate in the tagging of blood cells. 	
14.08	Maintain records of administrations/preparations.	
14.09	Recognize and follow precautions and contraindications of medications including radiopharmaceuticals.	
14.10	Evaluate patient history.	
14.11	Evaluate patient status/needs and care for them accordingly, including treatment for adverse effects.  	
14.12	Document and maintain records according to facility protocol.	
15.0	Perform "in vitro"/"in vivo" non-imaging procedures.  The student will be able to:	
15.01	Operate laboratory equipment.	
15.02	 Accurately and efficiently collect specimens in accordance with facility protocol. 	
15.03	Operate radiation detection equipment.	
15.04	Perform radioassays and calculations.	
16.0	Perform imaging procedures.  The student will be able to:	
16.01	Verify order, history, and protocol for patient prior to proceeding.	
16.02	Verify identity of patient in accordance with facility protocol. 	
16.03	Explain procedure and prepare patient for procedure.	
16.04	Select proper acquisition parameters to obtain planar, SPECT, SPECT/CT, WB, and PET/CT images.	
16.05	Appropriately perform planar, WB, SPECT, SPECT/CT, and PET/CT data processing using reconstruction techniques. 	
16.06	Properly prepare images to be sent to physician according to facility protocol.	
16.07	Perform PACS procedures according to facility protocol.	
16.08	Maintain appropriate records.	
17.0	Practice quality control.  The student will be able to:	
17.01	Perform scheduled quality control testing of laboratory and imaging equipment.	
17.02	Operate scintillation detectors.	
17.03	Operate and perform daily quality control on gas-filled detectors.	
17.04	Maintain a quality assurance program according to accrediting and regulatory agencies. 	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

The graduate is eligible to be licensed in Florida as a Certified Radiologic Technologist ‑ Nuclear Medicine (i.e., a Nuclear Medicine Technologist).  As specified in Chapter 468, Part IV, F.S. and 64E, F.A.C.  All accredited NMT programs which are recognized and accepted by either the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), are approved by the Department of Health.

Students who complete the program will be eligible to apply to the Department of Health for the required state Nuclear Medicine Technologist license.  For further information contact:

Department of Health, MQA Radiologic Technology Program
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C85, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 245-4910  Fax: (850) 921-6365
www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/rad-tech

Students who complete the program will be eligible to make an application to take one or both of the National Registry examination.  For further information contact:  

	American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
	1255 Northland Drive, St. Paul, MN 55120-1155
	(612) 687-0048  www.arrt.org

Or 

Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)
3558 Habersham at Northlake, Building I, Tucker, GA 30084
Toll Free: (800) 659-3953  www.nmtcb.org

This program meets the Department of Health’s education requirements for HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and Prevention of Medical Errors.  Although not a requirement for initial licensure, it is a requirement for renewal, therefore the instructor may provide a certificate for renewal purposes to the student verifying these requirements have been met.

If students in this program are seeking a licensure, certificate, or registration through the Department of Health, please refer to 456.0635, F.S. for more information on disqualification for a license, certificate, or registration through the Department of Health. 

The program must be accredited by the:

Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology  
820 W. Danforth Rd., #B1, Edmond OK 73003
Tel: (405) 285-0546/ Fax: (405) 285-0579  http://www.jrcnmt.org/ 

Or 

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
9115 Westside Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009
888-41ED NOW (888-413-3669)  http://www.sacs.org/

The nuclear medicine technologist performs patient care with understanding of patients’ special needs, fears and concerns and recognizes changes in patient condition.  Limiting the exposure of the patient and other health care workers to minimal levels of radiation is of paramount importance.

A fundamental knowledge and understanding of the physical and biological sciences, including radiation biology and protection, as well as radiopharmaceuticals "in vivo" and "in vitro", is essential:  nuclear physics, biochemistry, immunology, physiology and an introduction to computer application/operation with data manipulation must be included.

Students are encouraged to become members of their appropriate professional organizations such as the Society of Nuclear Medicine –Technologist Section (SNM-TS), Florida Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Inc. (FNMT), the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), Florida Society of Radiologic Technologists (FSRT) and its local affiliate.

The Core should be taken first in the program.  Following the successful completion of the core, the National Health Care Foundation Skill Standards Assessment with instructor approval and the completion of a portfolio.

General Education Course Requirements for AS and AAS Degrees

State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.030(4), F.A.C., identifies 15 credit hours as the minimum amount of general education coursework required in the Associate of Science (AS) degree and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.  In addition, Rule 6A-14.0303, F.A.C., implements s. 1007.25, F.S., and requires students entering a technical education degree program in the 2022-2023 academic year, and thereafter, to complete at least one identified core course in each subject area as part of the general education course requirements (15 credit hours total) before a degree is awarded) The core subject areas include: 
•	Communication. 
•	Humanities.
•	Mathematics. 
•	Natural Sciences.
•	Social Sciences.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

HOSA: Future Health Professionals is the co-curricular career and technical student organization providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.