Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.
AI Impact Summary
Nuclear Medicine Technologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 31/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 43% of all analyzed occupations. Of 18 analyzed tasks, 5 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Nuclear Medicine Technologists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
18 tasks analyzed
Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
Record and process results of procedures.
Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.
Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras.
Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.
Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
Position radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to allow for most effective treatment of patient's disease, using computer.
Add radioactive substances to biological specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, to determine therapeutic drug or hormone levels.
Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, or radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, or other laboratory equipment.
Train or supervise student or subordinate nuclear medicine technologists.
Develop treatment procedures for nuclear medicine treatment programs.
Schedule patients for nuclear medicine exams and procedures.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images. | 15Estimated | 15.0% | 10% | |
| Process cardiac function studies, using computer. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 8% | |
| Record and process results of procedures. | 24.85Observed | 59.1% | 5% | |
| Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician. | 41.67Observed | 65.9% | 5% | |
| Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 8% | |
| Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures. | 61.25Observed | 39.5% | 8% | |
| Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 4% | |
| Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 4% | |
| Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 5% | |
| Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Position radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to allow for most effective treatment of patient's disease, using computer. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 6% | |
| Add radioactive substances to biological specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, to determine therapeutic drug or hormone levels. | 55Estimated | 55.0% | 4% | |
| Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, or radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, or other laboratory equipment. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 5% | |
| Train or supervise student or subordinate nuclear medicine technologists. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 3% | |
| Develop treatment procedures for nuclear medicine treatment programs. | 45Estimated | 45.0% | 4% | |
| Schedule patients for nuclear medicine exams and procedures. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.3%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$97,020
per year
Mean Wage
$99,690
per year
Employment
17K
workers
Wage Range
$75,570 - $128,090
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Nuclear Medicine Technologists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change