Student Information Handbook

 

 

 

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

 

 

Department of Nursing and

Allied Health Professions

 

 

Bachelor of Science

in

Nuclear Medicine Technology

 

 

 

 

July 2007

 

 

 

Information for Nuclear Medicine Technology Students

 

Mission

 

The mission of the Department of Nursing and Allied Health Professions is to define, provide, and advance the education and development of professionals within the fields of nursing, clinical laboratory science, nuclear medicine technology, respiratory care, and gerontology.

 

History

 

Indiana University of Pennsylvania first offered the Bachelor of Science degree program in medical technology in 1968.  In 1973 the respiratory care program, then known as respiratory technology, graduated its first class.  Allied Health was a separate department in the university until 1989 when it merged with Nursing to become the Department of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.  The gerontology certificate program was approved in 1992.  The latest allied health program, nuclear medicine technology, was added to the department in 1994.  The name of the medical technology program was changed to clinical laboratory science in 2003.  The most recent change, approved in 2003, was the addition of a special curriculum track for respiratory therapists who are already certified and interested in completing a bachelor of science degree.

 

Coordinator

 

The allied health and gerontology programs are coordinated by a faculty member in the Department of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.  The coordinator serves as the academic advisor for all students in the programs and liaison with faculty, affiliating schools, and agencies.

 

IUP Allied Health Club

 

This officially recognized student organization provides an opportunity for IUP allied health students and those interested in allied health to engage in pre-professional activities and peer support and to promote the allied health majors.  There is no membership fee and applications are available from the allied health coordinator and club officers.

 

Communication and Contacts

 

All allied health students are expected to use their IUP email address.  Important and helpful information is sent to students from the coordinator, secretary, registrar and other campus offices.  Assistance with the use of the IUP email system is available at www.iup.edu/ats/sts/email.

 

Mrs. Jodell Kuzneski                                                    Mrs. Elaine Pedaci

Coordinator, Allied Health Professions                          Secretary, Allied Health Professions

243 Johnson Hall, 1010 Oakland Avenue                     244 Johnson Hall, 1010 Oakland Avenue

Indiana University of Pennsylvania                                 Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, PA 15705                                                       Indiana, PA 15705

Telephone: 724-357-7647                                            Telephone: 724-357-7647

Fax: 724-357-3267                                                      Fax: 724-357-3267

Email: Kuzneski@iup.edu                                             Email:  Pedaci@iup.edu

 

Dr. Michele Gerwick                                                    Mrs. Deborah McCutcheon

Chair, Nursing/Allied Health Professions                       Secretary, Undergraduate Nursing

211 Johnson Hall, 1010 Oakland Avenue                     210 Johnson Hall, 1010 Oakland Avenue

Indiana University of Pennsylvania                                 Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, PA  15705-1063                                             Indiana, PA  15705-1063

Telephone: 724-357-2557                                            Telephone: 724-357-2557

Fax: 724-357-3267                                                      Fax: 724-357-3267

Email: mgerwick@iup.edu                                             Email: mccutch@iup.edu

 

Dr. Carleen Zoni, Dean                                               Dr. Jacqueline Beck

College of Health and Human Services                        Director, Office of Academic Planning and Assessment

216 Zink Hall                                                             College of Health and Human Services

Indiana University of Pennsylvania                               223 Zink Hall

Indiana, PA  15705-1063                                           Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Telephone: 724-357-2555                                          Indiana, PA  15705-1063

Fax: 724-357-6205                                                    Telephone: 724-357-2560

Email: cczoni@iup.edu                                                Fax: 724357-6205

                                                                                  Email: jbeck@iup.edu

 

 

Nuclear Medicine Technology

 

The Bachelor of Science degree program in nuclear medicine technology is designed to prepare the graduate to have

• Skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making
• Skills in oral and written communication
• Skill in human relations and patient services
• Familiarity of applicable medical law and ethics
• A commitment to make a significant contribution to the health care team
• An appreciation and respect for cultural diversity
• A holistic caregiver’s perspective
• Understanding of departmental organization and function in relation to the healthcare delivery system as a whole
• Understanding of the value and responsibilities entailed in being a professional

 

Nuclear medicine is the medical specialty that utilizes the nuclear properties of radioactive and stable nuclides to make diagnostic evaluations of the anatomic and/or physiologic conditions of the body and to provide therapy with unsealed radioactive sources.  The nuclear medicine technologist is an allied health professional who, under the direction of an authorized user, is committed to applying the art and skill of diagnostic evaluation and therapeutics through the safe and effective use of radionuclides.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: patient interviews and instruction, preparation, quality control testing, and administration of radioactive compounds, execution of patient imaging procedures including computer processing and image enhancement, laboratory testing, patient preparation for radioactive compounds and preparation and administration of prescribed radioactive compounds for therapy, quality control, and radiation safety.  The nuclear medicine technologist exhibits professionalism in the performance of these duties, demonstrates an empathetic and instructional approach to patient care, and maintains confidentiality of information as required.  He/she applies knowledge of radiation physics and safety regulations to limit radiation exposure of the general public, patient, fellow workers, and self to as low as reasonably achievable.  Professional growth and development is achieved through participation in medical and technical education and research to enhance the quality of patient care and through utilization of new technologies.

 

These goals and scope of practice statements are included in the Essentials and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist (2003) accepted by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) and other professional associations.

 

Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, graduates are eligible for the national registry examinations administered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART). 

 

Summer Course Work

 

Many students find it helpful to complete one or more courses during the summer months.  IUP offers a number of courses during the summer that are included in the requirements for nuclear medicine technology majors.  The summer schedule is typically available for view in early March at www.iup.edu/ursa.

 

Students may also plan to complete courses at other colleges or universities during the summer months and should discuss these plans with the allied health coordinator.  Course equivalency information is found at www.iup.edu/creditevaluation.

 

Upon completion of all off-campus coursework, the student must request (according to the procedures at the host institution) that an official transcript be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions, Credit Evaluation, 117 Sutton Hall, 1011 South Drive, IUP, Indiana, PA  15705.

 

Learning Support Services

 

IUP offers a number of excellent learning support services including peer tutors, supplemental instruction and workshops.  For a complete listing of services offered by the Department of Developmental Studies visit www.iup.edu/devstudies.  The Department of Chemistry, the Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Physics also provide student tutors to help students with homework and assignments.  IUP’s Writing Center (www.wc.iup.edu) is another valuable resource for students.

 

Curriculum and Clinical Sites

 

The nuclear medicine technology curriculum is divided into pre-clinical and clinical study.  Students typically finish the first three academic years of study on the IUP main campus.  To complete the program students enter the clinical phase of the program that is one calendar year in length.  Students have two options for completion of the clinical phase.  Students may apply to either the Nuclear Medicine Institute (NMI) at The University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio or to the Nuclear Medicine Technology program at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC).

 

Students admitted to NMI spend 4 months at The University of Findlay and study the theory of nuclear medicine.  The program concludes with 32 weeks of clinical practice in one of the many affiliating sites and a return to NMI for a final examination.  Information on approved NMI affiliate clinical sites can be found on their webpage www.findlay.edu by following the links to the Nuclear Medicine Technology program and then to the Clinical Affiliate Hospitals-Clinics. 

 

Students admitted to CCAC spend 12 months in the Pittsburgh area.  Classes are taught at CCAC’s Allegheny Campus and clinical practice is in three of the 13 affiliating sites.

 

Upon graduation the students earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nuclear medicine technology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

 

Mr. Rick States, Program Director                   Mr. Carl Mazzetti, Director

Nuclear Medicine Institute                                Nuclear Medicine Technology Program

The University of Findlay                                  Community College of Allegheny College

1000 North Main Street                                   Allegheny Campus, Milton Hall 608

Findlay, OH  45840-3695                                808 Ridge Avenue

1-800-472-9502                                              Pittsburgh, PA  15212

419-434-4708                                                 412-237-2751 or 412-237-2681

e-mail: nmi@findlay.edu                                    email: cmazzetti@ccac.edu

www.findlay.edu                                               www.ccac.edu

 

Admission Requirements for the Certificate Program

 

Students may apply to either or both affiliating certificate program.  Each program has specific admission requirements, deadlines and other special requirements which may include health screening, criminal record checks, personal interviews and the purchase of uniforms and/or lab coats.

 

Admission into both programs is competitive and is not guaranteed.

 

All pre-clinical courses required by IUP must be completed before progressing to the certificate year.

 

Nuclear Medicine Institute

 

Students must complete all course requirements set forth by IUP prior to beginning the certificate year.  NMI requires “C” grades or better in the following courses:

• MATH 105 College Algebra
• COSC/IFMG/BTED 101 Microbased Computer Literacy
• ENGL 101 College Writing
• ENGL 310 Public Speaking
• CHEM 101 College Chemistry I
• PHYS 111 Physics I Lecture
• BIOL 150 Human Anatomy
• BIOL 151 Human Physiology

For the most favorable review of the application, students are encouraged to have completed all of these courses before the application deadline.

 

In addition, NMI requires

• Official high school transcripts
• Current, official college transcripts
• CPR certification
• Three letters of reference
• Application fee
• Medical Terminology:  The medical terminology requirement may be met in one of two ways:
  • Online Medical Terminology 101: For approximately $50 student may enroll in an online course available at http://search.universalclass.com/i/search/6003.htm.  A copy of the certificate of completion must be forwarded directly to NMI.
  • Medical Terminology Work Book: Purchase the following text which is available through the IUP Coop Store for approximately $40: Leonard, P. (2006).  Quick and easy medical terminology (5^th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. 

Complete all of the chapter exercises and the self-test by recording your answers in the text.  Give your completed text to the Allied Health Professions Coordinator for review.  The work will be reviewed, satisfactory completion of the requirement will be verified with the NMI program director and the text will be returned to the student.

            It is recommended that this requirement be submitted at least 2 months prior to starting at NMI although this may be done well in advance of the recommended deadline.

 

Students are encouraged to submit applications approximately one year prior to beginning the certificate program.  Application deadline for a fall class is November 1 of the preceding year.  The deadline for a spring class is April 1 of the preceding year.  Additional deadlines are posted in the NMI handbook.

 

Community College of Allegheny College

 

Students must complete all course requirements set forth by IUP prior to beginning the certificate year.  The application is due no later than March 1 for the following fall class although students are encouraged to submit the application as soon as it is available.  The application includes:

• CCAC Application for Admission
• CCAC Allied Health Programs Application
• College transcripts
• Completion of a 3 hour shadow experience
• Verification of viewing a Career Exploration video

 

Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid

 

Tuition and fees for the 2007-08 NMI program is approximately $19,460.

Tuition and fees for the 2007-08 CCAC program is approximately $8,500.

 

During the semesters students are in the NMI or CCAC certificate program, IUP bills the student each semester for an approximately $75.00 administrative fee and a $32.00 registration fee.

 

Students may apply for financial aid during their final year through IUP’s Office of Financial Aid.  Amounts of awards will vary depending on several factors, including the costs of tuition and fees required by The University of Findlay and CCAC.

 

Grades for Clinical Courses

 

Grades for the clinical courses are posted at the completion of the clinical year.  In the interim, “L” grades (Late designation conversion) are recorded for each clinical course.  Once final grades are received from the program director, the “L” designation is converted to IUP letter grades.

 

Students receive a "pass/fail" grade designation for the 16 credit NMDT 434 Clinical Nuclear Medicine course.

 

Each affiliating school has its own listing of courses with specific course names and credit allocation.  A course equivalency chart has been developed between each affiliating clinical site and IUP.  This chart is used to convert courses and grades from the affiliating school to IUP course grades.

 

Graduation Application

 

Undergraduate students are required to apply for graduation in their next to final semester of enrollment.  The graduation application process is an online function at IUP’s webpage www.iup.edu. 

Students graduating in May apply online by November 15^th

Students graduating in August and December apply online by April 1^st.

 

Students will be invited to participate in the University’s commencement ceremony scheduled in December of their graduation year.  Students have an option to attend the University’s May commencement ceremony.  Details about commencement may be found at www.iup.edu/commencement.  Regardless of which ceremony is attended, students will officially be August IUP graduates.

 

 

 

INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Department of Nursing and Allied Health Professions

 

Curriculum Organization

NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY

 

                                                                 FRESHMAN YEAR

 

BIOL 105 Cell Biology                              3 *CHEM 101 College Chemistry I              4 *ENGL 101 College Writing                      4 HIST 195 History: The Modern Era           3                                                               14

CHEM 102 College Chemistry II                   4 Health and Wellness Requirement                  3 Fine Arts: Introduction to Art/Music   Theater/Dance                                            3 *MATH 105 College Algebra                         3 PSYC 101 General Psychology                       3                                                                      16

 

                                                                 SOPHOMORE YEAR

 

*PHYS 111 Physics I Lecture                     3 PHYS 121 Physics I Lab                            1 *BIOL 150 Human Anatomy                      3 *COSC/BTED/IFMG 101 Micro-Based   Computer Literacy                                   3 ENGL 202 Research Writing                      3 Free Elective                                             3                                                                16

PHYS 112 Physics II Lecture                       3 PHYS 122 Physics II Lab                             1 *ENGL 310 Public Speaking                          3 *BIOL 151 Human Physiology                      4 Free Elective                                                3 Free Elective                                                1                                                                   15

 

                                                                    JUNIOR YEAR

 

SOC 151 Principles of Sociology               3 MATH 217 Probability and Statistics         3 Social Science Elective                             3 Free Elective                                           3 Free Elective                                           3                                                               15

Philosophy or Religious Studies Elective          3 ENGL 121 Humanities Literature                   3 Free Elective                                                 3 Free Elective                                                 3                                                                    12

 

                                                                    SENIOR YEAR**

 

NMDT 427 Nuclear Scintigraphy                   3 NMDT 428 Radiation Physics                        3 NMDT 429 Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation                                             3                NMDT 430 Rad Biology & Rad Protection    2 NMDT 431 In Vivo/In Vitro Non-Imaging     1 NMDT 432 Radiopharmaceutical                   3 NMDT 433 Intro to Tomographic Imaging     1                                                                        16

NMDT 434 Clinical Nuclear Medicine         16                                                                  16

 

*NMI requires “C” or higher grades in these courses.  For the most favorable review of the application, students are encouraged to have completed all of these courses before the application deadline.

**IUP is affiliated with two accredited nuclear medicine technology programs.  Students apply for admission to one of these programs for completion of the senior year.

·   The Nuclear Medicine Institute (NMI) at The University of Findlay, Ohio:  In this program students spend one semester at NMI, 35 weeks in clinical training at one of NMI’s approved clinical sites and a return to NMI for a final examination.

·The Nuclear Medicine Technology Department at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC): In this program students spend 12 months in classes at the CCAC Allegheny Campus and clinical training at various sites in the Pittsburgh area.

Required:  One non-western culture course; two writing intensive courses

LBST 499 Senior Synthesis:  Not required

7-07