Nuclear Medicine Technologist onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: CNMT (NMTCB), ARRT Nuclear Medicine (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: gamma cameras; PET/CT scanners; dose calibrators; lead shielding
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Nuclear Medicine Technologist training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Follow ALARA with time, distance and shielding
Wear dosimeters
Survey for contamination
Store radioactive materials securely
Shadow an experienced nuclear medicine technologist through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: prepare and verify a dose
Supervised practice: run a PET/CT scan
Supervised practice: survey for contamination
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Prepare radioactive drugs: independently
Give tracers to patients: independently
Operate gamma cameras and PET scanners: independently
Position patients for imaging: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, CNMT (NMTCB))
Discuss the career path: Nuclear Medicine Technologist → PET Specialist → Lead Technologist
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Prepare and Verify a Dose
Run a PET/CT Scan
Survey for Contamination
Radiopharmaceutical handling
Gamma camera operation
PET/CT imaging
Radiation safety

How to measure onboarding success

Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
Competency sign-offs completed on time
Documentation or charting error rate
90-day retention

How Nuclear Medicine Technologist training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Nuclear Medicine Technologist Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Nuclear Medicine Technologist Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Nuclear Medicine Technologist Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)