Nuclear Medicine Technologist how-to

How to Run a PET/CT Scan

Good preparation gives clear images.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Good preparation gives clear images. In short: confirm; inject; wait, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Confirm fasting and blood sugar.

  2. Inject the tracer.

  3. Wait for uptake.

  4. Position the patient.

  5. Run the scan.

  6. Check image quality.

Safety reminders for nuclear medicine technologists

  • Follow ALARA with time, distance and shielding
  • Wear dosimeters
  • Survey for contamination
  • Store radioactive materials securely

Radiopharmaceutical · Tracer · Gamma camera · PET · SPECT · Half-life: see the full nuclear medicine technologist glossary.

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