[1] The Profession
The nuclear medicine technologist (NMT) is a highly skilled professional who utilizes radioactive materials to image the function of different organs, analyze biologic specimens, and treat certain diseases. The responsibilities of the NMT are varied and can include radiation safety, quality control, radiopharmaceutical preparation and administration, the performance of diagnostic imaging procedures on patients, and computer acquisition and analysis of data. The NMT works closely with nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, and referring patient physicians in order to ensure that each patient receives the highest quality study possible.
The clinical program at Baptist Health College Little Rock is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).
[2] Baccalaureate Degree Program Requirements
The Department of Health Sciences in cooperation with Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR) offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nuclear medicine technology. The degree requirements consist of 3 years and 73 hours of course work at UCA and 47 hours taken over 12 months at BHCLR. In order to receive credit toward a degree from UCA, the student must apply, be admitted to UCA, and complete the prerequisite course work prior to selective admission into the clinical curriculum at BHCLR. Students may transfer into the nuclear medicine program, but they must complete a minimum of 30 hours of on-campus course work at the University of Central Arkansas prior to selective admission into the clinical curriculum at BHSLR.
Admission and acceptance into the clinical curriculum at BHCLR is on a competitive basis. Applicants are required to have earned a composite score of 21 or higher on the ACT to be eligible at Baptist Health Schools Little Rock. Additionally, students applying to the clinical phase must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all undergraduate course work to be considered eligible for the clinical phase of the nuclear medicine program at BHCLR, with a final grade of “C” or higher on certain prerequisite courses (see the list below). The application deadline for the clinical phase of the nuclear medicine program is March 1, and classes begin in July at BHCLR.
Information concerning the clinical curriculum and requests for applications should be directed to BHCLR. All questions regarding prerequisite course work should be directed to the UCA nuclear medicine technology advisor.
[2.1] Prerequisite Curriculum at UCA (73 hours)
The UCA Core: Complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements). Consult the program advisors for specific details of the UCA Core as it applies to the BS in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
Other required courses (some of these courses are part of the 38-hour lower-division UCA Core): CHEM 1450, 1451, 2401; MATH 1390; BIOL 1440, 2405 2406, 2407†; CSCI 1300 or MIS 2343; PHYS 1410, 1420; Statistics (MATH 2311 or PSYC 2330 or SOC 2321 or ECON 2330).
† Because of a change in clinical-program accreditation standards, all students entering the BHCLR program in July 2018 must have completed BIOL 2406 and 2407.
Baptist Health College Little Rock requires that an applicant have earned a final grade of “C” or better in the following prerequisite courses:
General Chemistry with Laboratory
General Physics
Human Anatomy and Physiology (two courses, each with a laboratory)
Humanities course
Oral Communications course
Written Communications course
Social Science course
[2.2] Professional Curriculum at BMC (47 hours)
NMT 4100, 4210, 4410, 4415, 4420, 4425, 4325, 4435, 4430, 4315, 4320, 4330, 4440, 4215, 4220. Note: Baptist Health Schools Little Rock requires all prerequisites to be complete prior to the program start date. All but one course must be in progress at the time of application to BMC.
[3] Courses in Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT)
Follow this link for NMT course descriptions: course link.