Nuclear Medicine Technology
Nuclear medicine is an exciting field that involves the diagnosis, treatment, and study of human disease through the use of radioactive pharmaceuticals.
Elmhurst University has an affiliation with Northwestern Memorial Hospital where students can apply to spend three years completing coursework at Elmhurst University and their final phase of courses and clinical experience in a hospital setting.
Nuclear medicine technologists work with physicians and patients to create high-quality diagnostic images. Here are just some of the things you’ll do as an NMT:
- Prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive chemical compounds)
- Perform patient imaging procedures using sophisticated radiation-detecting instrumentation
- Perform computer processing and image enhancement functions
- Provide image, data analysis and patient information to the physician for diagnostic interpretation
- Prepare patients for radioactive tracers and radioactive therapy
- Apply knowledge of radiation physics and safety regulations
- Use quality control techniques as part of the quality assurance program
Students applying for the affiliations must major in health science technology. Students applying after graduation can major in anything they like as long as they complete the prerequisite courses for the program or track.
If accepted, students will complete three years of college courses on site at Elmhurst University, and then spend the final phase of clinical/academic education on-site at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (13 months). Upon successful completion of the NMT courses and training, students will receive a certificate of program completion as a nuclear medical technologist and be eligible to take required national certifying examinations in addition to earning a bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst.
Transfer students are eligible to apply for the NMH affiliation. Their timeline may vary from the traditional one. Transfer students are required to attend Elmhurst full-time for 1.5 years (3 fall/spring semesters) prior to beginning at NMH if accepted by them. Most transfer students will attend Elmhurst for 2 years full-time prior to beginning at NMH if accepted.
Students accepted to this track pay Elmhurst tuition and fees for courses at Elmhurst and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Additional fees may be required by the hospital as well. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is located at 541 N. Fairbanks Court, Suite 950 in Chicago, IL 60611.
Required Courses
- BIO 200, 201, 207, 208, 315
- CHM 211, 212, 311, 312
- PHY 111, 112
- MTH 132, 345
- HST 400, 498
- CS 111 or CS 220
- ENG 105, 106
- COM 213
- Elmhurst University Integrated Curriculum
Additional courses in the humanities, social sciences, and oral and written communication are required. Additional information on GPA and prerequisite grade requirements can be provided by the health professions advisor.
You will meet with the health professions advisor to discuss your specific academic and professional interests. Your advisor will work with you throughout your Elmhurst career, giving expert guidance.
When you successfully complete your academic and clinical courses, you’ll be eligible to take required national certifying examinations administered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
You can start by checking the website of Northwestern’s School of Nuclear Medicine Technology. For more help, contact Elmhurst’s health professions advising team.
Any student interested in applying is responsible for learning about all the requirements for the program. Admission to Elmhurst University does not guarantee acceptance to any affiliation program or track.