Nuclear Medicine Technologist Schools in Virginia - VA
Schooling is not mandatory for nuclear medicine technologists employed in Virginia, but it is practically impossible to find a position working in the specialty of nuclear medicine technology without proper schooling. There are numerous nuclear medicine technologist schools in Virginia that train hundreds of nuclear medicine technologists each year. The curriculum typically takes from a year to four years to complete with both class work and clinical work covered in that time.
The classes students usually take in nuclear medicine technologist educational programs includes the basics such as English, math, chemistry and the like; plus more specialized courses such as anatomy and physiology, nuclear medicine terminology, bioethics, nuclear instrumentation, clinical skills, and radiation health and safety. Additionally, students usually are exposed to the clinical aspect of the position through practical internships offered at institutions across Virginia including the University of Virginia Medical Center, Saint Mary's Hospital, Lynchburg General Hospital, Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center, Chesapeake General Hospital, Riverside Regional Medical Center and Inova Fairfax Hospital. The required clinical hours differ depending upon the educational program, but may require as many as 8000. When a student finishes his or her nuclear medicine technology training, he or she will graduate with a certificate (if the program lasts one year), an associate degree (if the program lasts two years), or a bachelor degree (if the program lasts four years).