Nuclear medicine radiographer
About this occupation
Nuclear Medicine Radiographers plan, prepare and perform nuclear medicine examinations, post-processing and treatment with a wide range of equipment and techniques using X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and radiopharmaceuticals.
A specialisation of radiographer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- calculate exposure to radiation
- communicate effectively in healthcare
- prepare patients for imaging procedures
- medical oncology
- health care legislation
- apply organisational techniques
- undertake post-examination activities
- interact with healthcare users
- hygiene in a health care setting
- radiobiology
- radiation protection
- evidence-based radiography practice
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Nuclear Medicine Technologists (O*NET 29-2033.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
- Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
- Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
- Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
- Record and process results of procedures.
- Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Monitoring
US median pay: US$101,370 a year (2025), 17,080 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (3.9)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.8)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.7)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
- Radiation Therapists
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
- Radiologists
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Neurodiagnostic Technologists
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Medical Dosimetrists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.