Admission Requirements

All students who plan a program of study leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Science must first be accepted for admission to the University. After completing prerequisite courses, a student may formally apply to the Nuclear Medicine major. Interested students should contact the Nuclear Medicine department for an application; applications must be received by February 1 for fall admission. To be eligible, the student must meet the following criteria:

1. A 2.50 cumulative GPA with a 2.50 GPA in math/science courses.
2. Sophomore standing
3. Completion of prerequisite courses
4. Completion of Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Chemical Principles I and II, General Physics I and II, Math (Pre-calculus and Statistics).

Transfer Students

Students who are considering application for admission into the nuclear medicine program from another university or college must first be admitted into the University. Along with the application, transfer students must submit TWO copies of transcripts of ALL UNIVERSITY WORK. Send one set to the UIW Admissions Office. Send the second set of transcripts to the School of Nursing and Health Professions, Attn: Nuclear Medicine Program Director, 4301 Broadway-CPO 300, San Antonio, TX 78209. Please note we cannot accept an application without copies of all transcripts.

Health Requirements for Nuclear Medicine Science

In compliance with the Health Care Provider terms of TAC 97.63, applicants to the Nuclear Medicine Science program are required to provide proof of a completed health history questionnaire, immunizations (a completed series of Hepatitis B, MMR and TeD), TB skin test or chest x-ray, and current CPR certification prior to admission into the program. Additional health requirements may be required by clinical healthcare settings. Students are responsible for reviewing and updating individual health records as they progress in the program.  If for any reason, any required immunization is contraindicated, the student is required to present a record of medical evaluation and recommendations.  The required clinical placements cannot be guaranteed for students who are unable to receive immunizations due to contraindications.

Essential Functions and Skills

The Nuclear Medicine program has identified essential functions and skills critical to the effective preparation of nuclear medicine students and to their success as future nuclear medicine technologists.  The purpose of the essential functions and skills is to establish performance levels that are required of all nuclear medicine students in order to successfully complete the Nuclear Medicine program with or without reasonable accommodations.  Reasonable accommodations for student with disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with the University's Office of Student Disability Services.  This includes a review of whether the accommodations may jeopardize technologists/patient safety, or the education process of the student, including all coursework, and clinical experiences deemed essential for graduation.

To be accepted into and/or to continue in the Nuclear Medicine program and successfully fulfill its standards, students must be able to meet the essential functions and skills, which are classified into six categories:  1) observation, 2) communication, 3) motor, 4) sensory, 5) intellectual, and 6) behavioral and social.

1. Observation:  A nuclear medicine student must be able to observe demonstrations in the classroom, simulation lab, and in the clinical setting.
2. Communication:  The ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice, including but not limited, the ability (a) establish rapport and communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, their family members, administrators, all healthcare personnel and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
3. Motor: Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate nuclear medicine procedural protocols using accepted techniques.  This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to (a) accurately, safely and efficiently use radiation detection and monitoring equipment (b) gather decision-making pieces of information from the patient before and during a nuclear medicine procedure or during and assessment activity in class or in the clinical setting; (c) sit, stand, and kneel for extended periods of time while rendering assistance to patients; (d) use auditory, tactile, and visual senses to receive classroom or clinical instruction and to communicate with patients, (e) follow safety procedures established for each class as well as each clinical setting.
4. Sensory:  Candidate must have adequate sensory function in order to elicit information from a patient or perform a blood pressure check during a cardiac stress test.
5. Intellectual:  Candidates must have the mental capacity to learn and assimilate a large amount of complex, technical, and detailed information from a patient or perform a blood pressure check during a cardiac stress test.
6. Behavioral and Social:  Candidates must possess emotional and social attributes required to exercise good judgment, maintain composure, promptly complete all responsibilities as they relate to the care and management of a patient and/or other members of the health care team.  Candidates must also be able to adapt to an ever-changing environment, display flexibility, tolerate physically taxing workloads, and maintain their composure during highly stressful situations.

Special Health Problems / Pregnancy

Students who can successfully combine satisfactory school attendance with pregnancy or with special health problems will not be prohibited from registration in nuclear medicine clinical courses. The student must declare their pregnancy to comply with dosimetry badge regulations and fulfill the same course requirements as any other student.

Students pursuing nuclear medicine technology must possess visual and hearing acuity, digital dexterity, and motor coordination. They must be able to climb, balance, stoop, and lift/carry up to 50 pounds.

Other Requirements:

Criminal Background Screening

Criminal background screening is completed on all students accepted into the nuclear medicine program. The School will designate a company to do the background screening and will not accept results from any company other than the one designated by the School. Students pay expenses related to all screening. A student with a significant criminal background or a current conviction may not be allowed to register for nuclear medicine courses until a “Pre-application Review of Eligibility” is filed with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). The review of eligibility process may take approximately 6 months and is filed at the student’s expense and is entirely the responsibility of the student to provide required documentation of all criminal proceedings, charges and convictions. If approved, the ARRT will issue a declaratory order stating the individual is eligible for initial licensure or license.

Drug Screening

Drug Screening may be required by some clinical agencies. The School will designate a company to do the drug screen and will not accept results from any company other than the one designated by the School. The student will pay the cost of the screening at the time of the testing. A student who has a positive drug screen will not be allowed to participate in clinical courses. The student will be required to complete, at the student’s expense, chemical dependency evaluation and treatment, if recommended by a drug assessment. Any student with a positive drug screen will be suspended for a minimum of one calendar year and will be required to provide documentation of successful treatment prior to being readmitted to clinical courses. If readmitted, the student must be retested by the School approved laboratory and have a negative drug screen. This testing is at the student's expense.

Insurance Requirements

Progression / Retention / Graduation

A minimum grade of C (75) is required in all nuclear medicine courses. In general, satisfactory completion of courses in one semester is required prior to enrolling in subsequent semesters. Nuclear Medicine courses are taken in sequence according to the recommended curriculum pattern.

A student who withdraws or receives a final grade of D or F in a nuclear medicine course for the first time will be allowed to repeat the course after formal review by the Student Affairs Committee. The committee will consider all of the following in rendering a decision:

1. Recommendation of course faculty
2. Academic performance in other courses
3. Space availability in the course

To remain in the program after retention the student must:

1. Adhere to the UIW student code
2. Demonstrate a pattern of safe clinical practice commensurate with the educational experience
3. Demonstrate acceptable behaviors and attitudes normally expected of nuclear medicine technologists
4. Comply with the directives in the letter of retention

Ineligibility for Continuation in the Program

A student who receives two grades of D or F or two withdrawals in nuclear medicine courses or a combination of D or F and a withdrawal will not be eligible for continuation, even if the student has already repeated one of the courses and received a grade of C or above.

Appeals

Upon notification of ineligibility to continue in the nuclear medicine program, the student may appeal the decision by addressing a letter to the Dean of the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions. Such correspondence should specify the reasons for the appeal and submit relevant new information for the purposes of the appeal. In addition to the letter an Application for Appeal Form with faculty recommendations must be included as an attachment. The Dean will determine if the appeal merits review.

Clinical Hours

After admission into the program, the student will complete four semesters in the academic and clinical components of the program. The student must document 1,584 hours of observation and practice of nuclear medicine imaging skills under the direct supervision of an assigned nuclear medicine preceptor. The program director and clinical coordinator will contact students concerning placement in affiliated settings for observation and practice prior to the assignment.  Students are responsible for their own transportation to/from the assigned clinical site as well as purchasing the required uniform to wear each day.

Eligibility for Professional Practice