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Nuclear medicine technologists

OaSIS code 32121.02

Nuclear medicine technologists operate radiation therapy equipment to administer radiation treatment and produce images of body structures for the diagnosis of diseases. This occupation includes supervisors and instructors.

Overview

Also known as

  • Nuclear medicine technologist
  • Nuclear medicine technologists supervisor

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, such as radionuclides and other tracer materials to patients or to biological samples
  • Operate radiation detection equipment, such as gamma cameras, scanners, scintillation counters, tomodensitometers and ionization chambers, to acquire data for use by nuclear medicine physicians in the diagnosis of disease
  • Perform diagnostic procedures using radioactive materials on biological specimens, such as blood, urine and faeces
  • Record and process results of procedures
  • Check equipment to ensure proper operation
  • Provide appropriate care and monitoring of the patient during the examination
  • Apply radiation protection measures
  • May train and supervise student nuclear medicine technologists or supervise other nuclear medicine technologists.

Additional information

  • There is no mobility between the four types of medical radiation technologists without further training.
  • Experience as a medical radiation technologist is required for supervisors and instructors.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
  • Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
  • Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
  • Medical sonographers (32122)
  • Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
  • Pharmacy technicians (32124)
  • Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

32 – Technical occupations in health

Sub-major group

321 – Technical occupations in health (except practitioners of natural healing)

Minor group

3212 – Medical technologists and technicians

Unit group

32121 – Medical radiation technologists

Occupational profile

32121.02 – Nuclear medicine technologists

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Assisting and Caring for Others
4 - High Level
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
4 - High Level
Applying New Knowledge
3 - Moderate Level
Clerical Activities
3 - Moderate Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
3 - About half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
2 - Less than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Cancer treatment centres
  • Clinics
  • Colleges and universities
  • Hospitals
  • Radiological laboratories

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Near Vision
4 - High Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
3 - Moderate Level
Categorization Flexibility
3 - Moderate Level
Colour Perception
3 - Moderate Level
Control of Settings
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation and Control
4 - High Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
4 - High Level
Coordinating
3 - Moderate Level
Critical Thinking
3 - Moderate Level
Digital Literacy
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Concern for Others
5 - Extremely important
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Social Orientation
4 - Highly important
Active Learning
3 - Important