70 NMT Missions, Values, Goals and Outcomes

PROGRAM MISSION, VALUES and GOALS

The Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Programs (RISP) are housed in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences of the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), in the Indiana University Indianapolis campus (IUI).  RISP consists of four undergraduate health professions programs including an associate degree in radiography and bachelor’s degrees in medical imaging technology, sonography and nuclear medicine technology.  These programs support the mission of IUI, meet the standards/essentials of the appropriate Joint Review Committee, integrate and support the IUI Principles of Undergraduate Learning, and provide avenues for experienced radiographers to continue their education.

NMT Program Mission Statement

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program (NMT) at Indiana University at Indianapolis (IUI) is aimed at the preparation of highly qualified individuals who are dedicated to the health and welfare of the patient through the practice of radiologic technology.

NMT Program Values

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program faculty support the following values:

• Student learning through the effective use of available educational opportunities including:
  • Entry-level professional programs, advanced level educational programs, and continuing education offerings.
  • Diverse patient populations.
  • Cultural competence
  • Broad spectrum of technology and health facilities.
• Creative activity and research resulting from the collaboration of faculty and students.
• Ethical behavior and professional integrity in addition to technical competence.
• Civic engagement involved in collaborating with a variety of internal and external constituencies including health care facilities, professional organizations and IUI, School of Medicine and Health Professions Program departments.

NMT Program Goals 

1. Prepare students to function as competent entry level Nuclear Medicine Technologists
2. Prepare students in Nuclear Medicine Technology who will continue to learn and grow professionally

NMT PROGRAM OUTCOMES

 NMT Didactic Course Outcomes—These outcomes are based on the 5th edition Competency Based Curriculum Guide from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging—Technologist Section:

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

1. Radiation Safety:
   1. Maintain a safe environment for patients, workers and the public, by employing radiation protection techniques in accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations
2. Instrumentation, Quality Control and Quality Assurance:
   1. Perform quality control on nuclear medicine instrumentation according to a quality assurance program;
   2. Appropriately operate, monitor and troubleshoot nuclear medicine instrumentation to ensure optimal quality outcomes;
   3. Utilize the scientific literature to assess departmental operation relative to current standards, implement changes to protocols, and assure the highest levels of patient care, nuclear medicine imaging, and safety.
3. Radiopharmacy and Pharmacology:
   1. Prepare, calculate, evaluate, and administer radiopharmaceuticals, non-radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media in conjunction with nuclear medicine procedures.
   2. Recognize and respond to adverse reactions to radiopharmaceuticals, non-radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media administered in conjunction with nuclear medicine procedures.
4. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures:
   1. Perform nuclear medicine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures appropriate to the patient history and patient preparation in accordance to federal, regional and institutional guidelines.
   2. Evaluate image quality and other acquired data.
5. Patient Care:
   1. Demonstrate care that is effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable for the treatment of health and the promotion of wellness while the patient is in the process of having a procedure
6. Professionalism and Interpersonal Communication:
   1. Demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
   2. Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, their families, and health care professionals
7. Organizational Systems-Based Practice:
   1. Understand the fundamentals of current healthcare policy and the regulations of delivery systems to blend the complex layers of healthcare to maximize the value of patient care
8. Research Methodology:
   1. Evaluate and utilize available resources to promote best practices in the profession.
   2. Systematically analyze scientific research and development

 NMT Clinical Course Outcomes—These outcomes are based on the SNMMI Nuclear Medicine Technologist Scope of Practice and Performance Standards approved June 6, 2014

1. Demonstrate professionalism while in the clinical environment.
   1. Arrives to clinic at the correct time, take the allotted time for lunch, and does not request to leave early
   2. Is available and ready to perform any task in the department
   3. Is aware of what needs to be done and takes the initiative to perform that task
   4. Demonstrates reliability by following through with assigned tasks and does them accurately
   5. Demonstrates skills as a team worker by communicating effectively, being pleasant and maintaining a positive attitude
   6. Demonstrates a willingness and interest in what is going on in the department and is actively learning
   7. While performing patient care, demonstrates professionalism, cooperation and a regard for privacy and makes sure patient is taken care of at all times.
   8. Makes appropriate decisions and takes responsibility for own actions, as well as asks questions at the appropriate times
2. Perform patient care tasks within the scope of practice of a nuclear medicine technologist.
   1. Establish and maintain proper communication with patients (introduction, patient education, etc.)
   2. Verify patient identification
   3. Obtain a pertinent medical history
   4. Explain the procedure to the patient and/or family
   5. Provide comfort to the patient prior to, during and after procedures
   6. Insert and monitor peripheral intravenous catheters
   7. Follow recognized infection control practices
3. Carry out administrative tasks within the scope of practice of a nuclear medicine technologist.
   1. Stock area with supplies necessary to perform procedures
4. Execute quality control tests on nuclear medicine imaging and non-imaging instrumentation.
   1. Perform gamma camera uniformity
   2. Perform a daily check on the survey meter
5. Complete diagnostic studies within the scope of practice of a nuclear medicine technologist.
   1. Prepare radiopharmaceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals
   2. Administer radiopharmaceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals
   3. Determine appropriate imaging parameters
   4. Position patient and obtain images
   5. Perform processing and analysis of patient images
6. Prepare and administer adjunctive medication within the scope of practice of a nuclear medicine technologist.
   1. Select and prepare pharmaceutical appropriate for the procedure
   2. Document administered dose, date and time of all pharmaceuticals in a permanent medical record
   3. Observe the patient for possible complications from adjunctive medication administration
7. Prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals within the scope of practice of a nuclear medicine technologist.
   1. Check the dose activity prior to administration in a dose calibrator and comparing this measurement against the shipment documentation and prescribed amount
8. Practice radiation safety according to the scope of practice of a nuclear medicine technologist.
   1. Maintain security of radioactive materials
   2. Perform and document a radiation survey and wipe test upon receipt of radioactive materials
   3. Use personnel radiation monitoring devices
   4. Select and use proper syringe shields
   5. Work in a safe, but timely way in order to decrease radiation exposure
   6. Prevent potential contamination of patients, technologists, the public and work areas
   7. Perform and evaluate wipe tests and area surveys
   8. Perform decontamination when necessary
   9. Dispose of radioactive material as stated in federal and state regulations and institutional policies
9. 1. Complete Computed Tomography procedures within the scope of practice of a nuclear medicine technologist and a computed tomography technologist.
   1. Identify and describe the purpose of all the equipment in the CT suite (monitors, printers, scanners, etc…)
   2. Understands kVp and mA
   3. Proper preparation of dose, contrast, and patient
   4. Knows basic rationale for using contrast media and observes safety during administration
   5. Identifies basic anatomy on scans; co-registration of images
   6. Demonstrates knowledge of window width and level, attenuation correction
   7. Interaction with interpreting physicians to understand correlations between CT and other modalities
   8. Understands networking and information systems (PACS, RIS, etc.)