Nuclear Medicine Physicians
Overview
Introduction
Nuclear medicine physicians, also known as nuclear radiologists, use radioactive techniques and materials to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the human body. They are physicians who specialize in analyzing medical images of patients and making recommendations for treatment. They hold a doctor of medicine (M.D.) from an accredited school and are board certified in radiology. There are approximately 390,680 physicians and surgeons (all others not listed separately by the Department of Labor) employed in the United...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Physicians have among the highest average earnings of any occupational group, and nuclear medicine physicians are among the top earners among physicians. Salary.com reported that physicians that specialized in nuclear medicine earned a median salary of $334,443 in April 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned $232,861 or less and the top 10 percent earned $446,907 or more.
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Work Environment
The offices and work spaces of nuclear medicine physicians are well equipped, well lighted, and well ventilated. They work with hazardous materials in conducting diagnostic imaging of patients, and therefore follow safety procedures. Nuclear medicine physicians usually work 40 hours per week during business hours. They spend a great deal of time on their feet so a degree of fitness and stamina ...
Outlook
Nuclear medicine will continue to play an important role in detecting, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring diseases. As described by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, "With the development of new technologies and imaging agents, many of which are now in clinical trials, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging promise to continue to deliver improvements to patient care."
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