Student learning objectives

1. The student will demonstrate proficiency in providing patient care and obtaining relevant patient history.
2. The student will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application of radiation safety precautions and ALARA concepts.
3. The student will demonstrate recognition of, and adherence to, ethical and professional responsibilities.
4. The student will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application of laws and policies pertinent to regulatory compliance.
5. The student will perform nuclear medicine imaging procedures according to program and/or departmental protocol using scientific knowledge and skills in scientific reasoning.
6. The student will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and appropriate uses of radiopharmaceuticals and their uses in nuclear medicine imaging and therapy.
7. The student will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and appropriate uses of instrumentation used in a nuclear medicine department.
8. The student will demonstrate knowledge of quality control procedures for instrumentation used in nuclear medicine.
9. The student will demonstrate knowledge of radiation therapy procedures used in nuclear medicine.

Technical standards

Students entering the Nuclear Medicine program must meet certain technical standards of performance in order to progress and successfully complete the program. These standards include meeting cognitive, affective, psychomotor, and professional demands associated with the profession.

Cognitive and intellectual abilities

• Perform quantitative and integrative intellectual conceptualization including measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis
• Demonstrate cognitive knowledge and technical skills in a patient-oriented environment
• Correlate results of commonly used diagnostic studies
• Analytical skills sufficient to process information, transfer knowledge from one situation to another, and prioritize tasks
• Critical thinking ability sufficient for safe, clinical judgment
• Ability to identify cause-effect relationship in order to make judgments and set priorities in clinical situations
• Ability to prioritize tasks, integrate information, and make decisions promptly

Physical/sensory functions (observation, communication, and motor functioning)

• Physical ability, flexibility, strength, and stamina sufficient to provide safe and effective care including emergency treatment
• Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective care including the ability to assist with positioning and supporting patients
• Standing and walking for extended periods of time and physical abilities sufficient to independently move from room to room, maneuver in patient rooms, and other confined spaces
• Perform venipuncture, urethral catheterization, external chest compression, and ventilation procedures
• Ability to safely administer radiopharmaceuticals and appropriately handle vials, syringes, sterile items, pharmaceuticals, catheters, and IVs
• Ability to lift and carry items without assistance (lead items may weigh in excess of 25 pounds)
• Support, transfer, move, and manipulate patients up to 400 pounds with assistance
• Use medical imaging equipment maintaining a safe environment for patients and others
• Manipulate laboratory equipment including but not limited to syringes, pipettes, vials, test tubes, injection supplies, tongs, and delicate electronic equipment
• Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess healthcare needs including but not limited to detecting monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, and verbal communication as when a patient/client calls for assistance
• Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for the care of patients and operation of equipment
• Tactile ability sufficient for patient assessment and operation of equipment
• Possess sufficient communication skills to interact effectively with others verbally, non-verbally, and in written form demonstrating sensitivity to individual, cultural, and diverse differences
• Communicate with patients, physicians, supervisors, and coworkers, including translators when appropriate
• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of people and the ability to be easily understood
• Follow written and oral instructions from physicians, supervisors, and coworkers
• Read and interpret charts, graphs, instrument panels, and printouts
• Reading, writing, recording, and documenting patient information
• Ability to work with hazardous martials, radiation environment, blood and body fluids, possible contagious diseases, and sick patients

Behavioral and social standards

• Possess sufficient interpersonal skills to establish meaningful and effective rapport with patients, families, and colleagues from a variety of different social, emotional, economic, cultural, ethnic, religious, and intellectual backgrounds as well as within all age groups
• React calmly and effectively in stressful environments
• Work effectively with others as a member of the healthcare team
• Function effectively during periods of high stress
• Accept responsibility for own behavior
• Accept constructive criticism in a professional demeanor
• Engage in self-assessment activities which include identification of learning needs
• Emotional and mental health sufficient to establish therapeutic boundaries, to perform multiple tasks concurrently, to handle strong emotions, and to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Professional/ethical standards

• Comprehend and uphold ethical standards as defined by the profession
• Exhibit a respect for truth and a commitment to honesty in all didactic and clinical pursuits
• Adhere to ethical and legal guidelines established by applicable national organizations and governmental agencies
• Abide by all federal, state, local, and institutional regulations
• Appreciate and respect patient/family confidentiality