HealthcareISCO 2269

Nuclear medicine radiographer

Nuclear medicine radiographers plan, prepare and perform nuclear medicine examinations, post-processing and treatment with a wide range of equipment and techniques using X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and radiopharmaceuticals.

Check yourself in a minute: nuclear medicine radiographer

Rate 5 of the 52 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

respond to changing situations in health care

provide psychological support to patients

conduct cancer screening tests

empathise with the healthcare user

analyse X-ray imagery

Key skills in this occupation

Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 52 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.

  1. respond to changing situations in health care

    Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.

    practical skill
  2. provide psychological support to patients

    Provide accurate psychological and emotional support to anxious, vulnerable and confused healthcare users related to the treatment undergone.

    practical skill
  3. conduct cancer screening tests

    Undertake screening test at an early stage, before cancer symptoms appear, taking physical exams, laboratory tests, imaging procedures and genetic tests.

    practical skill
  4. empathise with the healthcare user

    Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour.

    practical skillresilient to AI
  5. analyse X-ray imagery

    Analyse X-ray imagery in order to locate the sources of patients` difficulties and interpret the findings.

    practical skill
  6. apply radiation protection procedures

    Inspect rules related to ionising radiation and ensure these abide by the Medical Exposure Directive (MED).

    practical skill
  7. maintain imaging equipment

    Inspect imaging equipment and quality assurance processes.

    practical skill
  8. administer radiopharmaceuticals

    Administer radioisotopes by several methods, depending on the type of drug and the test being performed, selecting the amount of the radioisotope and the form it will be used in.

    practical skill

Check which of these skills you already have ↑

Knowledge (15)

hygiene in a health care setting
The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. More →
pharmaceutical products
The offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. More →
health care legislation
The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice. More →
medical terminology
The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly. More →
health care occupation-specific ethics
The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality. More →
radiation physics in healthcare
The radiation physics related to conventional radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic nuclear medicine and their principles such as areas of application, indications, contraindications, limitations and radiation… More →
human physiology
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms. More →
evidence-based radiography practice
The radiography principles that require the application of quality decision-making and radiography care based on proven clinical expertise as well as the most recent research developments in the field. More →
medical contrast agents
Substances used in medical imaging techniques to reinforce the visibility of certain features in organs or cells. More →
radiobiology
The way ionising radiation interacts with a living organism, how it can be used to treat various cancers and its effects. More →
paediatrics
Paediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC. More →
human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and… More →
medical oncology
The characteristics, development, diagnosis and treatment of tumors and cancer in human organisms. More →
radiation protection
The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. More →
first aid
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning. More →

Practical skills (29)

manage radiology information system
Develop and maintain a database to store, manage and distribute radiological images and data. More →
manage healthcare users' data
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and… More →
administer contrast media
Use and administer contrast agents to enhance the visibility of the body in medical imaging. More →
deal with emergency care situations
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment. More →
use nuclear medicine techniques
Utilise nuclear medicine techniques such as the administration of radiopharmaceuticals to treat and diagnose the patient. More →
operate medical imaging equipment
Produce high quality medical images using technologically advanced medical imaging equipment such as CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), mobile X-ray machines, ultrasound (US), nuclear medicine… More →
handle radiopharmaceuticals
Properly label and store radiopharmaceuticals to be used for treatment. More →
comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities. More →
comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services. More →
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients… More →
determine medical images' diagnostic suitability
Appraise the medical images to make sure that they are clear. More →
apply radiological health sciences
Use and apply radiological health sciences according to the situation and patient's response to treatment. More →
post-process medical images
Perform post-processing on medical images, or develop X-ray films, checking processed images to determine if further care is necessary. More →
interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality. More →
determine imaging techniques to be performed
Determine the appropriate imaging techniques to provide the appropriate diagnostic information to the doctor who requested it. More →
adhere to organisational code of ethics
Adhere to organisational European and regional specific standards and code of ethics, understanding the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and apply this awareness. More →
apply organisational techniques
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. More →
implant brachytherapy treatments
Implant radioactive sources into or adjacent to a specific target within the body and supervise all high-dose rate brachytherapy treatments. More →
determine patient's exposure factors
Determine the exposure factors to be used for producing a clear image of the pathology or trauma. More →
ensure compliance with radiation protection regulations
Make sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation. More →
perform nuclear medicine procedures
Undertake nuclear medicine procedures such as the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. More →
apply context specific clinical competences
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of… More →
prepare for nuclear medicine procedures
Prepare the patient, supplies and room for nuclear medicine treatment and imaging. More →
undertake post-examination activities
Perform post-examination activities such as liaising with the doctor, cleaning the room and speaking with the patient. More →
calculate exposure to radiation
Calculate radiation data about procedures, such as length and intensity of exposure. More →
prepare patients for imaging procedures
Instruct patients prior to their exposure to imaging equipment, correctly positioning the patient and imaging equipment to obtain the best image of the area being examined. More →
communicate in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners. More →
ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions. More →
work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions. More →
Optional skills (11) — show
electroencephalography
The situations where electroencephalography or EEG is needed, the techniques that may need to be specified, the preparation the patient needs, and the way to use the results in diagnosis and patient follow-up. More →
psychology
The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation. More →
development trends in radiography
The current techniques and developments in radiography and medical imaging. More →
interpret medical images
Analyse medical images in order to diagnose illnesses and injuries. More →
perform clinical research in radiography
Perform clinical research in the field of radiography, ranging from recruitment to trials through research studies, evaluating newer technologies and techniques as part of providing evidence based practice. More →
identify progression of disease
Recognise changing signs, symptoms and progression of disease and make appropriate decisions related to the continuation or changing of the treatment. More →
conduct health related research
Conduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications. More →
prepare radiopharmaceuticals
Prepare radiopharmaceuticals for use in patient treatment. More →
use foreign languages for health-related research
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research. More →
conduct radiotherapy computer planning
Produce a three-dimensional plan of the distribution of radiation across the anatomical area to be treated. More →
use foreign languages in patient care
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. More →

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does a nuclear medicine radiographer do?

Nuclear medicine radiographers plan, prepare and perform nuclear medicine examinations, post-processing and treatment with a wide range of equipment and techniques using X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and radiopharmaceuticals.

What skills does a nuclear medicine radiographer need?

A nuclear medicine radiographer needs 52 essential skills, including hygiene in a health care setting, pharmaceutical products, health care legislation, medical terminology, health care occupation-specific ethics.

Will AI replace nuclear medicine radiographer jobs?

The AI disruption score for nuclear medicine radiographer is 23/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: medical terminology, manage healthcare users' data, calculate exposure to radiation. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, human anatomy.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupHealth professionals
Essential Skills52

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