PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

Nuclear Medicine Technology is a medical specialty which uses radioisotopes to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Nuclear medicine imaging is unique in that it documents organ function and structure, unlike conventional diagnostic radiography. Nuclear medicine has the ability to identify abnormalities in the early stage of the disease process. Under the supervision of an authorized user, the nuclear medicine professional prepares and administers radioactive material, performs imaging procedures using a variety of specialized equipment, and maintains the documentation necessary for licensing requirements. This program is designed to provide students the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent and productive nuclear medicine professionals, and successfully write the certification examinations of the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) and/or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) upon successful program completion. Mississippi Delta Community College will award an Associate of Applied Science Degree and/or certificate of program completion in Nuclear Medicine Technology to all graduates.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program is operating under the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, phone (404) 679-4501. The program is seeking accreditation by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), PMB 418#1 2nd Ave. East, Suite C., Polson, Montana 59860-2107, phone (406) 883-0003, e-mail:www.jrcnmt.org.

The educational program in Nuclear Medicine Technology is structured in three different options:

These options vary in the extent of prerequisite courses required prior to entering the professional phase of the curriculum. The professional phase will commence (beginning in January of 2007) in January of each year and continue for three consecutive semesters with a projected graduation date in December.

The Associate Degree program requires students to complete four years of high school and spend the first year taking courses in Anatomy & Physiology, Mathematics, Medical Terminology, Social Science, English and Oral Communications. In addition, Chemistry and Introduction to Nuclear Medicine Technology are required prior to graduation. A statistics course is suggested but not required coursework.

The certificate program is structured for those students with education and training in the field of Radiologic Technology. In addition, the Chemistry prerequisite must be met prior to graduation. Students may choose to pursue a certificate in nuclear medicine technology immediately after completely the radiologic technology curriculum, or may return at a later time to pursue this option. These students must meet the same admission criteria of other applicants.

Radiologic Technologists practicing in the nuclear medicine profession without formal education may choose to take specific coursework necessary to sit for the certification examination offered by the NMTCB.

Students receive traditional classroom instruction and clinical experience at affiliated hospitals, outpatient clinics and imaging centers during the program. In addition, rotation through the affiliated nuclear pharmacy will provide radiopharmacy and instrumentation experience. Affiliated hospitals and clinics include: Delta Regional Medical Center, Greenville; Greenwood-Leflore Hospital, Greenwood; Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, Clarksdale; and Bolivar Medical Center, Cleveland. Clinical assignments are made at the discretion of the MDCC faculty. In addition, students will be expected to make necessary arrangements for clinical rotation through NuMedRx Nuclear Pharmacy in Jackson, Mississippi or another nuclear pharmacy pre-approved by the program faculty.