In Radiography is Nuclear Medicine a modality?

Question

I want to pursue a career in medical imaging, but not sure the best route. If a person gets a A.S in radiography can they be cross trained in fields such as MRI, CT, Ultrasound, and Nuclear medicine? Or does nuclear medicine need its own A.S degree? I'm trying to find a school close by to get a B.S in radiography but having hard time finding one in the Louisville-Cincy area. If I do get a B.S in radiography will I get a job directly in the Mri field and skip being a x-ray tech? What I'm really interested in is Nuclear medicine. I found a school that gives an A.S for Nuc Medicine but if I go this route will I not be able to cross train in the other medical imaging modalities( MRI,CT,..)??? Bascially I want to be certified to do it all..is this possible.. how long would something like that take...could it be done with an A.S or must it be a B.S in radiography?

Answer 1

Nuclear medicine is a modality. It requires it's own schooling (not cross-training). From radiography, you can cross-train in Cardiovascular-Interventional, Mammography, CT, MRI, and Bone Densitometry. I'm not exactly sure how it works for sonography. You can find accredited programs here: http://arrt.org/index.html?content=http:... I know people who graduated in radiography and immediately went into MRI or CT.

Nuclear medicine programs in OH and KY:

http://www.jrcnmt.org/states/oh_list.asp

http://www.jrcnmt.org/states/ky_list.asp

You can go into MRI or CT after nuclear medicine, if I'm reading this chart correctly: http://arrt.org/index.html?content=exami...