Do you want to help people?
Do you want your contribution to be significant to diagnosis and treatment?
Are you looking for a fascinating career with high employment demand?

START HERE: Attend a free online information session to gain information about Nuclear Medicine. 

Application Window:

  • Non-ARRT applicants: October 1 to April 15 (applicants who do not have an ARRT registration need to apply to the Non-ARRT cohort.) 
  • ARRT applicants: October 1 to August 15
  •  January 1 is the early bird application deadline for the BSNM program.

Although the application deadline is April 15 for the BSNM (Non-ARRT) and August 15, for the BSNM (ARRT) program, the student slots may fill up early.  If a cohort fills up before the application deadline, students will need to apply to the program the next year.

About the Nuclear Medicine Profession

Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses radioactive tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) to access bodily functions and to diagnose and treat disease. The skills of the nuclear medicine technologist complement those of the nuclear medicine physician and other allied health professionals. The student technologist learns about patient care, radiation physics and safety, preparation and administration of radiopharmaceuticals and diagnostic imaging procedures. Additionally, students learn about radiation detection equipment, computerized imaging cameras, and research procedures.

How to Begin

Step 1:  Review the website at www.llu.edu/nucmed, as well as the documents below:

Step 2: Attend a free online information session.

Step 3: Contact Terri Mosley, program coordinator, to have your unofficial transcripts reviewed. Once your unofficial work-up is complete, you will meet with the advisor.

Step 4:  Plan to complete prerequisites prior to starting the program (ARRT or non-ARRT). Apply by the deadline, based on the program selected (ARRT or non-ARRT).

Step 5:  Schedule eight (8) hours of career observation in a Nuclear Medicine department after your unofficial transcripts are reviewed, and before your interview is scheduled.

Program Resources

About the Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Program at LLU

The Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine is a rigorous program. Students should expect to give full-time attention to this demanding program. Students in the past have needed to adjust their personal schedules to make this program a priority. Students should also plan to drive to their clinical assignments, which are assigned to each student after the program begins. Students are expected to be responsible, accountable, and dependable as well as behave and communicate with high professional standards. Attendance in all classes and clinical rotations is expected. Students are also expected to be able to perform the essential job functions throughout the program and on into the profession.

Our Mission

The Nuclear Medicine program supports the mission of Loma Linda University, “to make man whole.” We do this by offering excellent educational experiences in a quality learning environment to facilitate the development of competent, compassionate health professionals. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to embrace opportunities for lifelong growth and satisfaction from a career committed to health care.

Our Vision

The Nuclear Medicine program supports an environment that enables learners to lead, heal, serve, and transform lives.

Our Values

The Nuclear Medicine program will prepare our graduates to be employees of choice for premier organizations around the world. We do this by providing them with practical learning experiences through partnerships with those open to sharing our vision.

When to Apply

The application window for BSNM NON-ARRT:  November 1 to April 15, for a summer start

The application window for the BSNM ARRT:  November 1 to August 15, for a fall start

Nuclear Medicine Program Statistics

Graduate Outcomes Report

Graduate achievement data is an indicator of program effectiveness, demonstrating the extent to which a program achieves its goals.  The current report on graduate achievement data, identified by program, is available on the JRCNMT website by clicking on the following link: Graduate Achievement Report

Term Dates

The BS in Nuclear Medicine Program follows the Loma Linda University Quarterly academic terms. Please refer to the Academic Calendar since the actual dates change yearly. Academic Calendar

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Skill: Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities necessary for the practice of Nuclear Medicine.
  2. Compassion & Diversity: Practice safe, compassionate patient care, including appreciation and respect for cultural diversity.
  3. Critical Thinking: Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills in nuclear medicine
  4. Knowledge: Maintain skills and knowledge by interacting with fellow professionals, attending educational conferences, and staying current with changing technology. Demonstrates knowledge of departmental organization and function.
  5. Quantitative Reasoning: Apply quantitative reasoning to the practice of nuclear medicine.
  6. Clinical: Obtain required clinical competencies including; patient care, procedures, showing how to competently utilize a variety of NM and CT equipment.

Institutional Learning Outcomes

  1. Critical Thinking: Accurately interprets (analyzes and evaluates) information. Objectively justifies conclusions and assimilates content into honest and thorough presentation of findings.
  2. Information Literacy: Students demonstrate the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, utilize, and share information.
  3. Quantitative Reasoning: Students demonstrate critical thinking through examination of ideas and evidence before formulating an opinion or conclusion.
  4. Communication: – Oral: Demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
  5. Communication: – Written: Demonstrate effective written communication skills.

Essential Job Functions of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist

  • Interact with patients by verifying patient identification and written orders for the procedure. 
  • Deals with the nuclear instrumentation quality control by evaluating the performance of gamma cameras, PET, and PET/CT.
  • Performs imaging procedures by selecting the appropriate parameters for digital acquisition and determining the route of administration according to established protocol. 
  • Identification and labeling of all radiopharmaceuticals.
  • Administration of radiopharmaceuticals.
  • Maintains compliance with local, state, or federal regulations in radiation safety.

Clinical Assignments

We have clinical sites located in:  San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

Application Requirements

Prior to entering the program, applicants must complete all prerequisites with a minimum GPA of 3.0. They must submit official college and high school transcripts, complete eight hours career observation and provide three references. Additionally, we require them to write an admissions essay and submit the application fee. 

Not every applicant will receive an interview.

Program Requirements

Applicants are required to complete a background check and possess a current Health Care Provider CPR card offered by the American Heart Association. Students at some clinical sites may need a drug test.

Observation Hours

The program application requires 8 hours of career observation in a Nuclear Medicine Department (two different facilities preferred).

Application Process and Timeline

All applications are processed the same. Our applications practices are clearly stated below and are consistent for each applicant.

  1. Apply by the deadline, based on whether you are a non-ARRT or ARRT applicant.
  2. All pre-requisites must be completed by the time the student starts the program. 
  3. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up on their online application in the application/admissions portal.
  4. Re-applicants and applicants are all treated the same.
  5. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview appointment. Interviews are not granted to every applicant.
  6. The LLU Nuclear Medicine program does not have a waiting list, nor do we hold seats for anyone.

Program Prerequisites

Applicants must complete the following subjects at an accredited college or university prior to entering the program.

HUMANITIES

HUMANITIES (Minimum 20 quarter/14 semester units minimum) Choose a minimum of three areas from: history, literature, philosophy, foreign language, art/music appreciation/history. Included in this minimum must be 4 quarter units of religion per year of attendance at an SDA college/university.

NATURAL SCIENCES

Intro/General to Chemistry with a lab (one class)

Intro or General Physics with a lab

Human Anatomy & Physiology with labs (2complete classes)

College Algebra (Statistics does not qualify)

Medical Terminology

SOCIAL SCIENCES

A minimum of 12 quarter units to include:

General psychology (4 quarter/3 semester units) required

Introduction to Sociology

Anthropology requirement is fulfilled in the Bachelor's program when students take Portfolio I & II



COMMUNICATION (9 quarter/6 semester units min.)

Freshman Composition, complete sequence (required)

Oral Communication

HEALTH AND WELLNESS (3 quarter/2 semester units min.)

Physical Education (2 activities)

Health or Nutrition

ELECTIVES

(to meet minimum total of 80 quarter units)

Please Note: C- grades or below are not transferable for credit. If you repeat a class the latest grade is recognized. Courses must be from an Accredited Institution.

Program Curriculum   

Program Accrediting Associations

Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, and the Radiologic Health Branch of the Department of Health Services.

The nuclear medicine technology program at Loma Linda University is also accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), 820 W. Danforth Rd, #B1 / Edmond, OK 73003; phone 405-285-0546; email email@jrcnmt.org; www.jrcnmt.org.

 

Eligibility for ARRT and NMTCB Certification

Eligibility for the ARRT and NMTCB certification exams may be affected if the applicant has a prior felony or misdemeanor conviction. Prior to applying to this program the applicant should contact the ARRT at 651-687-0048 and the NMTCB at 404-315-1739 to determine if eligibility will be granted.

Contact Us

Department of Radiation Technology

Loma Linda University

School of Allied Health Professions

Nichol Hall A829

Loma Linda CA 92350

1-909-558-4931-2-0

 Ray Ho, MBA, R.T.(N)(ARRT), CNMT

Program Director & Clinical Coordinator

rjho@llu.edu

909-558-4931, Ext 87417
Terri Mosley, MA

Program Coordinator & Advisor

tmosley@llu.edu

909-583-1032