This may include evening or weekend hours in departments that operate on an extended schedule. Opportunities for part-time and shift work are also available. In addition, technologists in hospitals may have on-call duty on a rotational basis. Because technologists are on their feet much of the day, and may lift or turn disabled patients, physical stamina is important. Although there is potential for radiation exposure in this field, it is kept to a minimum by the use of shielded syringes, gloves, and other protective devices and adherence to strict radiation safety guidelines.
Technologists also wear badges that measure radiation levels.
Because of safety programs, however, badge measurements rarely exceed established safety levels. Top Nuclear medicine technologists held about 14,000 jobs in 1998. About 8 out of 10 jobs were in hospitals. The rest were in physicians' offices and clinics, including imaging centers. Generally, certificate programs are offered in hospitals, associate programs in community colleges, and bachelor's programs in 4-year colleges and in universities.