Nuclear Medicine Technologists

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of nuclear medicine technologists will grow at a faster than average rate through 2028. Advances in medical diagnostic procedures could lead to increased use of nuclear medicine technology in the diagnosis and treatment of more diseases, including cancer treatment and cardiology. In addition, as the country's population ages, there will be a growing number of middle-aged and older persons, who are the main users of diagnostic tests. Nevertheless, one factor limiting growth is an emphasis on less costly or noninvasive tests among medical providers and third-party payers (the government and private insurance companies). Most new job opportunities are expected to be in areas with large hospitals. Nuclear technologists with a bachelor's degree from an accredited program and those with certification in specializations such as positron emission tomography, nuclear cardiology, or computed tomography have the best job prospects.