Findlay, Ohio – As the demand for well-qualified nuclear medicine technologists continues to outpace the supply, The University of Findlay’s Nuclear Medicine Institute is preparing to mark its 40th anniversary in April.

Founded at Hillcrest Hospital, Cleveland, in 1966, NMI is one of the nation’s largest and oldest nuclear medicine programs. NMI moved from Cleveland to The University of Findlay in 1984, transitioning to become the first health professions program on campus.

When NMI began, no accreditation program existed, but NMI began the process virtually as soon as it was announced. It has maintained accreditation ever since: NMI is one of only approximately 100 programs nationwide accredited by The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) to offer quality education to nuclear medicine technologists.

Even in such a restricted field, NMI has a tough reputation. For August 2006, 175 prospective students applied. Fifty-six were accepted.

And they face a demanding 52-week program.

“We are extremely challenging — but we’re also good,” said program director Assistant Professor Rick States. “Our alumni are sought out; employers want to hire NMI graduates. We’re very proud of that.”

One of NMI’s strengths from its inception has been its hands-on clinical training. After a semester of theory, students move out into one or two of 95 clinical affiliates, including hospitals, medical centers and commercial radiopharmacies in 12 states, for 35 weeks of one-on-one clinical work.
“We have always used affiliate hospitals for training; we have always given the students theory up front and then sent them to clinical” training, Elaine Markon, assistant NMI program director, said. “They volunteer to accept our students,” States pointed out. “They are the backbone of our program. Without them, we would not exist.”

Upon completion, NMI graduates are eligible to apply to take the national certification boards in nuclear medicine technology. In addition, the one-year certificate program offered by NMI is accepted by 10 academic affiliates — colleges and universities — toward completion of a two- or four-year degree in nuclear medicine technology.

Given the limited supply — there are only 17,000 nuclear medicine technologists nationwide — shortages are felt immediately. Demand is increasing as new types of imaging such as PET (positron emission tomography) come on the scene, and the baby boomers, including early nuclear medicine grads, prepare to retire, increasing employment opportunities.

For more information about the program, contact Rebecca Shell, public relations officer, at 419-434-4345 or shell@findlay.edu. 

Visit NMI’s website by clicking here.