The radioactive substances used in nuclear medicine are called radiopharmaceuticals. These are radio-labelled pharmaceuticals which are preferentially taken up by a particular organ or type of cell, depending on the investigation or treatment that is required.
Healthcare science staff contribute to patient care throughout the patient pathway in nuclear medicine. Depending on the role, this can include:
- manufacturing radiopharmaceuticals in a special lab called a radiopharmacy
- administering radiopharmaceuticals to patients for diagnosis or treatment
- using specialist equipment to detect ionising radiation
- acquiring, processing and reporting clinical images
- testing and calibrating sensitive equipment
- educating patients, staff and the public on the risks and benefits of ionising radiation
Healthcare science staff will work as part of a multidisciplinary team with other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, radiographers and many more.
The National School of Healthcare Science offers training schemes for clinical scientists (Scientist Training Programme – STP) and clinical technologists (Practitioner Training Programme – PTP) specialising in nuclear medicine.
Clinical scientists specialising in nuclear medicine physics play a key role in the scientific, technical, and clinical aspects of nuclear medicine services. This can include:
- developing and optimising imaging and treatment techniques
- performing complex quality assurance and radiation safety work
- analysing clinical data
- directly assisting patients and colleagues with radiation protection issues
- supporting the introduction of new technologies and radiopharmaceuticals into clinical practice
The nuclear medicine clinical scientist role is part of the medical physics speciality and would be suited to someone with a degree in physics.
Clinical technologists are involved in the day-to-day practical delivery of nuclear medicine services. Their role includes:
- providing patient care by preparing patients for procedures
- administering radiopharmaceuticals under appropriate protocols
- acquiring clinical images
- processing imaging
- undertaking quality control of the imaging equipment
More about Nuclear Medicine
In ‘Science Saves video on Nuclear Medicine’ Sophie Bissell, a Scientist Training Programme Alumni, talks about how radioactive materials are used to help diagnose and treat disease.
In ‘Healthcare Science at Work: Nuclear Medicine’ Jamie Grey and James Stevens show us how radioactive materials can be used in hospitals to treat cancer patients.
In ‘Healthcare Science at Work: Radiopharmacy’ Shazmeen Hansrod shows us the manufacturing of radiopharmaceuticals, which are used in hospitals to diagnose and treat diseases of specific organs.
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