Nuclear Medicine More Information

VISION

To be the educational program of choice for individuals seeking a career in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

MISSION

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program offers affordable, high-quality educational experiences through an innovative curriculum, student-focused teaching methods, and diverse learning environments.

• Student success: Creating and sustaining optimal conditions for Nuclear Medicine Technology students to design and achieve academic, career, and personal goals. 
• Regional impact: Producing competent, ethical entry-level Nuclear Medicine Technologists in response to the region’s present and future needs.
• Operational excellence: Utilizing a modern curriculum and adaptive programming that are sensitive to the changes of an ever-evolving profession.

Graduates of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program will be able to:

• Perform nuclear medicine imaging and molecular imaging diagnostic, theranostic, and therapeutic procedures.
• Operate and troubleshoot imaging and non-imaging instrumentation used in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
• Demonstrate communication methods necessary to work in a culturally diverse healthcare setting.
• Use appropriate radiation safety and radiopharmaceutical handling techniques to protect patients, self, and others.
• Assess situations and use problem-solving skills to construct appropriate solutions when needed.
• Display professional, moral, and ethical standards consistent with the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Code of Ethics set forth by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section.

• The Nuclear Medicine Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), 820 W. Danforth Rd. #B1, Edmond, OK 73003. Phone: (405) 285-0546. Email: mail@jrcnmt.org
• Program outcome data for this program can be found on the JRCNMT's website under Graduate Achievement Data, or by clicking here.

Nicholas Robinson, MSRS, RT(N)(CT), CNMT, PET
Academic Coordinator, Academic Coordinator, Professor

Professor Robinson serves as the academic coordinator and primary instructor for the Nuclear Medicine Technology program. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science from Armstrong State University (now Georgia Southern University) in 2008 and a Master of Science in Radiologic Science from Northwestern State University Louisiana in 2014. Professor Robinson holds professional certifications in nuclear medicine technology from the NMTCB and ARRT, positron emission tomography from the NMTCB, and computed tomography from the ARRT. Professional experience for Professor Robinson includes clinical nuclear medicine, PET imaging, electronic medical records training, clinical coordination, and teaching. Professor Robinson serves as the PGCC Radiation Safety Office for Allied Health Programs.

Professor Robinson is an avid Disney fanatic. He enjoys taking his family to Walt Disney World as often as he can and collecting Disney trading pins. Professor Robinson briefly worked as Disney travel planner for an “Ear-marked” Disney travel agency!

David Skerritt, BS, CNMT
Adjunct Faculty

Mr. Skerritt serves as an adjunct clinical instructor for the Nuclear Medicine Technology program. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the City University of New York and a Certificate of Special Instruction in Nuclear Medicine from the U.S. Naval School of Health Sciences. Mr. Skerritt holds professional certification in nuclear medicine technology from the NMTCB. With over 38 years of professional experience as a nuclear medicine technologist, much of which was spent as a long-time Affiliate Education Supervisor for the Prince George’s Community College Nuclear Medicine Technology program, Mr. Skerritt contributes a wealth of knowledge to our program.

In his spare time, Mr. Skerritt enjoys playing racquetball, going to the gym, and traveling with his family.

Shelley Sturtz, BM, CNMT, NMTCB(RS)
Adjunct Professor

Professor Sturtz serves as an academic instructor for the Radiography & Nuclear Medicine Technology programs. She instructs RAD 2440 Radiation Biology & Protection. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Akron and received a certificate in Nuclear Medicine Technology from Johns Hopkins Schools of Medical Imaging. She holds professional certifications in Nuclear Medicine Technology and Radiation Safety through the NMTCB. She is licensed/registered as an X-ray Inspector in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. She has been employed as a Health Physicist with Krueger Gilbert Health Physics for several years. Her professional duties involve auditing radioactive materials licenses, inspecting imaging equipment, and functioning as a facility Radiation Safety Officer.

Professor Sturtz spends her free time boating, golfing and playing competitive tennis.

Semester 1 - Fall

• EGL 1010 English Composition I
• MAT 1250 College Algebra
• COM 1090 Interpersonal Communication
• BIO 2050 Human Anatomy & Physiology I

Semester 2 – Spring

• INT 1010 Introduction to Information Technology
• PSY 1010 General Psychology
• CHM 1010 General Chemistry I
• BIO 2060 Human Anatomy & Physiology II

Semester 3 – Fall

• NUM 1450 Nuclear Medicine Procedures I
• NUM 1650 Conceptual Physics for Medical Imaging
• NUM 1750 Radiopharmacy/Radio-chemistry
• NUM 1520 Patient Care & Management

Semester 4 – Spring

• NUM 1460 Nuclear Medicine Procedures II
• NUM 2100 Introduction to Clinical Nuclear Medicine
• NUM 2650 Nuclear Medicine Physics & Instrumentation
• NUM 2440 Radiation Biology & Protection

Semester 5 – Summer

• NUM 2110 Clinical Nuclear Medicine I

Semester 6 – Fall

• NUM 2120 Clinical Nuclear Medicine II
• NUM 2130 Clinical Nuclear Medicine III
• NUM 2470 Advanced Concepts in Molecular Imaging

Semester 7 – Spring

• NUM 2140 Clinical Nuclear Medicine IV
• NUM 2150 Clinical Nuclear Medicine V
• NUM 2800 Nuclear Medicine Synthesis

PROGRAM TOTAL: 68 credits

Nuclear Medicine Technologists are specialized professionals in medical imaging who perform diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine and molecular imaging procedures. Technologists manipulate and administer specialized radioactive medications known as radiopharmaceuticals. After administration, the technologist uses sophisticated imaging equipment to acquire diagnostic images and non-imaging equipment to generate additional functional data of the physiologic processes occurring in the body.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, out-patient imaging clinics, research centers, and even in veterinary clinics. Many technologists often also find career opportunities as applications specialists with major imaging equipment manufacturers and sales and support representatives for radiopharmaceutical manufacturers.

Refer to the following resources for Career Outlook and Earning Potential information:

• Occupational Employment and Wages
• Occupational Projections
• Maryland Occupational Employment and Wages
• Maryland Occupational and Industry Projections

Note: State-sponsored programs, such as the Manpower Shortage Program, may allow non-Prince George's County residents to qualify for in-county tuition rates.

Admission to the College does not guarantee admission into any of the health science clinical programs. The programs listed below have limited enrollment capacity and rigorous academic standards. Each requires additional procedures for selective admission, initial enrollment, and continuation in the program. Therefore, there is a special process, called petitioning, associated with admission into each program. Interested students must contact an advisor to discuss the petitioning process and the minimum requirements in place for each clinical program.

Students who are interested in selective admissions programs are first enrolled in prerequisite courses and are designated as "petitioners" for their program of choice. The majority of students spend at least two or more semesters taking prerequisites (preparatory courses) to become eligible for admission to the clinical phase of their program. 

Priority will be given to admission of Prince George's County residents when possible. However, in programs designated as Statewide Instructional Programs, 10 percent of the available seats will be reserved for residents of other Maryland counties until the petitioning deadline published in this catalog has passed. Remaining seats will then be made available without regard to county of residence. Per the articulation agreement with the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), the Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, and Respiratory Therapy programs reserve 25 percent of their seats for transfer students from CSM until the petitioning deadline published in the College catalog has passed. At that time, any remaining seats become available to the best-qualified petitioners still in the pool, regardless of Maryland county of residence.

Out-of-state residents will be accepted only if remaining seats exist after all qualified Maryland residents have been admitted. Students attending the College on a non-domiciliary visa, as determined by the College, will not be considered for admission to any of these programs. Students petitioning to these programs must submit a copy of their social security card as part of their petition. 

Students interested in petitioning for admission to any of these programs must first meet with an advisor to obtain a list of admission criteria and prerequisite coursework. The petition for program admission should not be completed until all criteria have been met. Advisors' offices are located in the Center for Health Studies, Suite 1400. Call 301-546-0731 or email healthscienceadvisor@pgcc.edu for more information.

Through a unique collaboration across several community colleges in Maryland, students have access to several degree programs that are not currently offered at their home institution.

The Maryland Education Alliance (MEA) creates pathways for students to complete these programs of study. Participating community colleges include Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), Carroll Community College, Cecil College, Chesapeake College, College of Southern Maryland, Harford Community College, and Prince George’s Community College (PGCC).

For Nuclear Medicine Technology, students complete their first year at their home College and then apply to PGCC for this competitive admission program. For more information, speak with your home College advisor or a PGCC Health Science Advisor.

How is the program structured?

Once admitted into the nuclear medicine technology program, students complete two semesters of didactic coursework in which they learn the theory and concepts of nuclear medicine imaging. Then students transition to the clinical environment in which they practice and hone technical skills in a variety of settings. 

When are classes held?

Didactic courses and associated labs are held during the day, Monday-Friday. Most lectures are structured remotely, and most labs are face-to-face on the Largo campus.

Clinical rotations are scheduled three to four days per week (weekdays only), eight hours per day. Because of the nature of clinical nuclear medicine, clinic times generally are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Some clinical experiences require brief experiences outside of these times.

Where are clinical rotations completed?

Clinical affiliates include:

• Holy Cross Hospitals in Silver Spring and Germantown
• Fairfax Radiology PET/CT
• MedStar Washington Hospital Center
• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
• Inova Alexandria Hospital
• Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
• Adventist White Oak Medical Center
• Luminis Anne Arundel Medical Center
• Children’s National Hospital
• CalvertHealth Hospital
• Cardinal Health Radio-pharmacy

Do I get to choose my clinical affiliates for clinical rotations?

No, students rotate through multiple affiliates throughout the program of study. The rotational schedule ensures that each student has the opportunity to master a variety of nuclear medicine imaging and non-imaging procedures in varied settings and across diverse patient populations.

How do I apply?

Applying to Allied Health programs like the Nuclear Medicine Technology program at Prince George's Community College is called petitioning. In order to petition for the program, you must first contact a Health Science Advisor to schedule a petitioning appointment. Your Health Science Advisor will guide you through the next steps in the petitioning process.

What is the deadline to petition (i.e., apply)?

The deadline to petition for the program is April 1 each year.

How many students are accepted each year?

Enrollment is limited to 14 students per cohort/admission cycle.

Do I have to complete all prerequisite courses before petitioning?

It is strongly suggested that all prerequisite courses be completed prior to petitioning. However, students may petition if they are currently enrolled in prerequisite courses at the time of petitioning. Keep in mind that prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning NUM courses.

When does the program begin?

A new cohort of students begins matriculating each fall semester. 

Is there a part-time student option?

No, students must progress through the program according to the course sequence published in the College Catalog.

Can I work while enrolled in the program?

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program is a rigorous program of study that requires a significant commitment to both in-class work and outside study time. It is suggested that students not work while enrolled in the program. However, many students have successfully completed the program while working a part-time job. Historically, students who have attempted to work full-time while enrolled in the program do not perform well academically.

• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
• American Society of Radiologic Technologists 
• JRCNMT – Programmatic Accreditation
• Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
• Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging