Student getting patient ready for exam with Digital SPECT/CT molecular imaging technology with extendable arms for 3-D imaging of chest organs/cardiac perfusion imaging.

Nuclear medicine technologist training at Mayo Clinic

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Overview

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Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences offers a one-year Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses radioactive materials, called radiopharmaceuticals, for diagnosis, management, treatment, and medical research.

Program highlights

At Mayo Clinic, you’ll truly see it all. Each year, we perform more than 30,000 procedures! As a world-renowned medical institution, we provide a full realm of possibilities for you to take advantage of during your education. You can expect:

  • Training in different technologies that aren't available anywhere else, such as access to different cameras, cyclotrons, various isotopes, protocols, and other technologies.
  • Externships built into the curriculum that provide exposure to various practice settings, clinical environments, and patient populations.
  • To start training in the clinical setting on day three of the program with clinical observations, leading into seeing patients directly within the first semester.

Throughout the program, you are trained in all aspects of a nuclear medicine technologist's responsibilities, including:

  • Direct patient contact
  • IV placement
  • Patient imaging procedures, including computer processing and image enhancement
  • Radioactive chemical compound preparation and administration
  • Radioactive therapy
  • Performance of imaging equipment quality control procedures
  • Radiation safety

Graduation and certification

After successfully completing this program, you will receive a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and, if applicable, a baccalaureate degree from your college or university.

Graduates are eligible to take the professional certification examinations given by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Accreditation information

The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).

See accreditation information for Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate achievement data is an indicator of program effectiveness, demonstrating the extent to which a program achieves its goals. The current report on graduate achievement data, identified by program, is available on the JRCNMT website by clicking on the following link: Graduate Achievement Report.

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Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minnesota.
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Rochester, MN

Take a video tour of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at Mayo Clinic

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Take a video tour of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at Mayo Clinic

Explore what a nuclear medicine technologist does

Nuclear medicine technologists perform tests for diagnosis and medical research. They prepare and give small doses of radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) to patients, then use high-level imaging equipment to record images of the radioactive material in the body.

Nuclear medicine virtual career tour

Attention high school and college students, educators, and advisers: A 28-minute Nuclear Medicine Technology Virtual Career Tour is available spotlighting the four main areas of a large nuclear medicine department, general nuclear medicine, the radiopharmacy, positron emission tomography, and nuclear cardiology.