Nuclear Medicine Technology Admissions Guide

Program Duration (Number of Semesters)		Study Mode
Full Time: 7 semesters	Part-Time: Yes	Face-to-Face, Online, and Offsite Clinical Rotations

 

• Program days and times may vary but you should plan to attend classes 4-5 days a week.  Day classes are generally between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Offsite clinical rotation hours are between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Please plan accordingly to ensure you have proper transportation.

 

On average, approximately 50 students apply for admission each application period. Of these, approximately 25 applicants are typically accepted.

 

HCC Application Requirements

Step 1: Apply for Admission to HCC

New student to HCC: If you are new to college or transferring to HCC, your first step is to become an HCC Eagle by submitting a free admissions application to HCC. Please create a profile and complete a degree-seeking application: https://prod.applytexas.org/. Upon completing the application, you will receive your acceptance letter and a welcome email that contains your HCC Student ID number and P-number (if assigned). If you have filled out an HCC application at any point or you already have an HCC student ID number, please do not submit another HCC application. Multiple HCC new student applications and/or ID numbers are not allowed.

Returning student to HCC: If you have not been enrolled in HCC for the past 3 semesters, you must re-activate your HCC student account. If you need assistance with this process, please visit: Returning HCC Student | Houston Community College - HCC.

International Students: If you are an international student planning to attend HCC on a status F-1, (DACA, refugee, L visa, H visa, etc.), please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support- services/international- students/.

Veteran students: Please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/veteran-affairs/. Download and complete DD Form 214 & SF-180 Form and submit with the application. 

Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid (this step is optional):

All students should apply for financial aid immediately after applying for admission to HCC. Filling out a financial aid application is the first step in learning your options to pay for college. HCC accepts financial aid applications throughout the year.

- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov, School Code: 010422
- Free Application for Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) at hccs.edu/tasfa.

If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance or visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/

Step 3: Complete My Eagle HCC Account Checklist:

Please visit: myeagle.hccs.edu, and sign into the Student System. Review and complete the HCC Policy and On-Boarding Checklist sections. To avoid delays in the processing of your application, please complete all To-Do List items.

• Career Interest Assessment: All first-time HCC students must complete this module.
• Meningitis Vaccine – Future and returning students who are under the age of 22 are required to submit proof of vaccination. For more information on requirements, resources & any religious, medical, or online student exemptions, please visit Meningitis Vaccine.

• Submit Official Transcript(s): Please submit your official sealed (unopened) transcript(s) from high school, GED, and any other colleges and/or Universities previously If you have completed your courses at HCC, you do not need to submit an official transcript. We do not accept unofficial copies or official copies that have been opened. There are two ways to submit an official transcript from your high school or previous institution:
• Submit Electronically: Have an official PDF transcript electronically sent from approved service providers such as Credentials, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse to: admissions@hccs.edu
• Submit by Mail: Please use the address: Houston Community College, Office of Admissions & Records, P.O. Box 667517, Houston, TX 77266-7517
• If you have completed coursework outside HCC and need more information on transfer equivalency with HCC, please visit http://www.hccs.edu/support-services/transfers/transferring- credits/.
• All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service. The evaluation must include course-by-course evaluation and US equivalency for earned degrees. Then the official evaluation report must be submitted to HCC. The HCC Internal process can take up to 8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits. To find a list of approved evaluation companies, please visit Foreign Transcript/ Foreign Credit Evaluators.

For more information on transcript(s) submission, please visit Transcript(s). It is the responsibility of the student to allow enough time for the evaluation of transcripts; please allow 6-8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits.

To receive Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit toward admission to the Surgical Technology program, the applicant should not have previously taken or attempted the course (by title), that is the same as the PLA credit for which he/she is applying. For more information on PLA, you may visit https://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/prior-learning-assessment/

• Texas Success Initiative requirements –If you have the "Texas Success Initiative College Readiness Requirements" Checklist on your To-do List in the Student Center, you have to be placed into core courses one of two ways.
• Have an approved exemption (reason) for not taking Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2); or
• Take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)

Please visit the Texas Success Initiative Assessment to learn about your options to complete this requirement.

Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Application Requirements:

Step 4. Meet with HCC Coleman College Representative:

At least once during the application acceptance period, we strongly recommend that an applicant attend an In-Person/Virtual Program Information Session or meet with an HCC Coleman Advisor via phone or in-person or virtually to ensure they are meeting all of the program admission criteria. To view up-to-date in-person hours for Coleman College Student Services https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/academic-advising/. 

Step 5: Program Information Session:

Program Information Session:

Schedule and attend a virtual online Program Information Session. Please register at Nuclear Medicine Technology | Houston Community College - HCC (hccs.edu). For questions regarding the online delivery of program information sessions, please contact the program department at vikki.davislittleton@hccs.edu.

Step 6. Complete Requirements and Submit Program Application:

In addition to the HCC admission application, you must complete and submit the online Nuclear Medicine Technology program application using your HCC student ID number https://hccs.edu/coleman-apply: with a copy of high school or GED equivalent transcript, college transcript/s showing completion of the prerequisite/academic courses, and applicable supporting documents. For more information about prerequisite/academic courses, please refer to the sections: Program Application: Academic Course Requirements & Program Application.

Students must submit a positive titer for Hepatitis B, MMR, and Varicella with the program application by the application deadline. Titers must be dated within the previous 12 months.

 

Course Description	Credit Hours
Cumulative GPA minimum 2.5 or above
Prerequisite Courses Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of 'C' - No later than summer semester of the application year.
MATH 1314 - College Algebra or higher math course with a least 3 semester hours.	3
CHEM 1305 and CHEM 1105 (formerly CHEM 1405) - Introductory Chemistry I (LEC/LAB) or higher Chemistry course with a total of 4 semester hours including the lab.	4
BIOL 2301 and BIOL 2101 (formerly BIOL 2401) - Anatomy and Physiology I (LEC/LAB)	4
BIOL 2302 and BIOL 2102 (formerly BIOL 2402) – Anatomy & Physiology II (LEC/LAB)	4
SCIT 1320 – Physics for Allied Health (College Physics will not substitute for this course)	3
Academic Courses Academic courses are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to be taken in advance but are not required for the application.
ENGL 1301 – English Composition I	3
Social / Behavioral Science elective – 3 Credits	3
Humanity/Fine Arts Elective - 3 Credits Please visit: Humanity/Fine Arts courses to find out acceptable courses or please contact academic advisors via email at coleman.advising@hccs.edu	3
Recommended Courses Completion of the following courses is suggested for success in Required Courses
BIOL 1306 and BIOL 1106* (formerly BIOL 1406) – General Biology	4
Placement Test N/A
If you would like to determine your eligibility by calculating your cumulative points earned, please use our Admission Rubric form.

 

When the number of eligible applications exceeds program seat availability, selective criteria are used to determine which applicants are offered admission. Selective criteria are awarded based on the following:

• 75% may be awarded based on the health program's academic criteria (grades earned from pre-entry form, required and recommended courses, and general education requirements).
• 25% may be awarded based on interviews. Application rubric points are awarded based on the range of scores for each
• All educational application requirements must be satisfied by the end of the summer semester in the year in which you are applying 

 

If you are offered admission, you will need to complete the following pre-enrollment requirements by a specific due date to maintain eligible status. Please note the Program Director will be in contact with you once your Letter of Intent has been received to provide you with information on the process of getting a background check, drug screen, personal health insurance, and deadlines for immunizations. Please check your email regularly for updates and information.

• Complete the letter of Intent form by the deadline stated in the Admission Acceptance Offer email that will be sent to your submitted email address with the program application.
• Proof of personal health insurance; if you need to purchase health insurance, please visit https://www.hccs.edu/resources- for/current-students/student-health-insurance/ for a list of health care insurance providers that HCC has compiled as a courtesy to students who wish to contact a potential provider to meet their personal health insurance needs. Students are advised to contact more than one company and compare offerings. 
• Passing drug
• Physical 
• Immunization record showing: Hepatitis B positive titer (may take up to 8 months if you are completing the series and the titer. A FastTrack Hep B series that usually takes approximately 2 months to complete with series and titer is available.), MMR – 2 shots or titer, Tdap – every 10 years, TB – every year, Varicella – 2 shots or titer, Meningitis (required for students 22 years or younger) and Influenza – after September 1st
• Cleared Criminal Individuals with a positive background must declare with Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board www.NMTCB.org and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in Nuclear Medicine Technology: www.ARRT.org
• Complete the mandatory Program Orientation on the date provided in your admission email. (Please clear your calendar so you are available to attend the mandatory orientations if you are offered admission as follows: Fall Term – plan to attend Orientation Between July and August)

 

Clinical Requirements for Program Progression & Completion

To provide students with the most robust clinical educational experience and to ensure that students progress and graduate as scheduled, it is highly recommended that applicants weigh all of their options before agreeing to a conditional acceptance into their desired health science program. In order to facilitate this decision-making, students should understand all of the requirements of their program, including clinical education.

To be placed in a clinical educational experience, students must comply with the guidelines and requirements of HCC clinical sites, including health and wellness directives. Most clinical sites require background checks, health testing, drug screens and immunizations, including proof of COVID- 19vaccination.

Students are required to provide to HCC proof that students meet all clinical requirements, with the exception of their COVID-19 vaccination status. Consistent with state law, HCC does not mandate the COVID-19 vaccination. Students have the choice to voluntarily disclose or not disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status through their HCC Complio account.

However, most healthcare facilities do require the vaccine as a condition of employment, volunteering, or student clinical placement. If a student chooses not to disclose their COVID-19vaccination status or is not vaccinated, HCC may not be able to place the student in clinical rotations. HCC will work to place such students into a clinical site that does not require the vaccine, provided such a site is available and HCC has an active affiliation agreement in place that meets the necessary conditions to provide an appropriate learning opportunity for the student. However, HCC cannot guarantee that clinical sites that do not require the COVID vaccine will be available at the time the student requires placement. At this time, many healthcare facilities are not accepting religious or medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine for clinical students.

If a student chooses not to receive or to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and no clinical sites are available to accept the student that do not require the COVID-19 vaccination, the student’s progression in the program and graduation will be delayed or stopped all together. If a student cannot be timely placed in a qualifying clinical site, a student may not be able to complete the program. Our affiliate partners’ expectations are the same for our students as they would be when our students ultimately become employees in their chosen field.

Students with questions about clinical requirements and placement may contact the program director of their program of interest.

HB 1508 requires the following information be given to students:

If you are applying for admission to a program that prepares an individual for an initial occupational license or certification and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an initial occupational license or certification, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following:

1. An individual who has been charged or convicted of an offense or who is on probation may not be eligible for issuance of an occupational license or certification upon completion of the educational program.
2. It is the responsibility of the individual to immediately report to the program any change in status that would affect that individual’s eligibility to apply for a license or certification.
3. Local, state or national licensing and certification authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal Applicants should contact their respective licensing or certification authority for more details.

Most health care programs require all students - admitted to the program - to submit to a national background check which may include fingerprinting. Applicants are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to the respective occupational license or certification. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the individual program and applicable licensing or certification authority.

 

 

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program requires participation in clinical rotations to complete the program. In order to participate in clinical rotations at our affiliate sites, certain background information must be verified. Students participating in clinical rotations must meet the same background verifications as clinical staff at our affiliate sites. For that reason, we require students to submit the following required background information before admission/enrollment in the program is completed.

1. Social Security Number Verification
2. Criminal Search (7 or up to 5 criminal searches)
3. Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry Search
4. OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
5. GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
6. US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), List of Specially Designated nationals (SDN)
7. State Exclusive List https://oig.hhs.texas.gov
8. Driver’s license or government-issued identification 

 

Please note: Verification of this information is the financial responsibility of the student and must be completed through the program-approved vendor.

HCC Coleman College Grading Scale

To best prepare students for success in their chosen fields, Health Sciences Programs have high standards for progression. Unlike other HCC programs, the Nuclear Medicine Technology program requires a C (75%) or better to progress to the next course or semester in the program. For specific questions about grades, grading, and progression within Health Science programs, please contact Coleman College at healthscience.info@hccs.edu . 

Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Grading Scale 

A = 100 – 90 %

B = 89 – 80 %

C = 79 – 75 %*

D = 74 – 60 %

F = 59 – 0 % 

*A grade of C (75%) or better must be achieved to progress to the next course or semester.

 

Tuition is estimated using the Texas resident rates. Out of district and out of state residents will have a higher tuition fees. Please visit http://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/tuition-calculator/ for more information.

Tuition is for core coursework only. General Education and Support courses are not included. These are high estimates; actual costs will vary depending on health insurance coverage. 

Due to increases/decreases in books and supplements, please check the book store website at http://hccs.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BNCBHomePage?storeId=19561&catalogId=10001&langId=- 1 for updated cost information. Only required books are included in the estimate.

 

Pre Entrance	Amount $
Criminal Background/Drug Screening	$100.00
Physical Exam	$100.00
Immunization	$200.00
Medical Insurance	Varies
Parking	Varies
Supplies	$100.00
Sub Total	$500.00
1st Semester (9 of Semester hours)
Tuition	$766.50
Books	$500.00
Uniforms	$150.00
Parking (4months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$1,416.50
2nd Semester (11 of semester hours)
Tuition	$935.50
Books	$300.00
Parking (4months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$1,235.50
3rd Semester (4 of semester hours)
Tuition	$344.00
Books	-
Parking (4months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$344.00
4th Semester (9 of semester hours)
Tuition	$766.50
Books	$200.00
Immunizations	$100.00
Parking (4 months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$1,066.50
5th Semester (6 of semester hours)
Tuition	$513.00
Books	$125.00
CPR	$40.00
State License	$120.00
SW Conference Review Exam	$60.00
Registry Exams	$400.00
Parking (4 months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$1,258.00
Grand Total	$5,820.50

 

 

You can use a valid MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express card to pay for tuition and fees. You can also use debit card with Visa or MasterCard logo, but not a non-USA credit card. Online payment via check is also available.

Check or echeck payments have a 10 day hold on release of official transcripts. International students or their parents can also pay online from their country of origin with their local currency, where applicable. Online payment from other countries can be made through “International Fund Transfer” payment option.

Additional Options for Payment Financial Aid

If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance or visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/

 

Scholarships

In addition to federal and state aid, scholarships are a great way to offset all or part of the cost of your education. Please visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/scholarships/ for more information.

 

Installment Payment Plan

If you are paying out of pocket and need assistance on how to setup a payment plan please visit Business Office at HCC Coleman or visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/student-financial-services/ for more information.

 

Program Information

Employment Opportunities

Nuclear Medicine Technologists may work in hospitals and diagnostic clinics.

Average Salary

Entry level salaries are in the range between $ 60,000 and $ 85, 000.

Questions

For further assistance on program admission requirements, please email us at: coleman.advising@hccs.edu 

 

Functional Capacity	Standards (Tasks)
Psychomotor Skills
Gross Motor	Stand and maintain balance; sit and maintain balance. Push, pull, bend, stoop, and reach above shoulders and below waist (e.g., position and assist patients/clients). Work overhead (e.g., on the acquisition scope on top of camera).
Fine Motor	Perform tasks requiring manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination (e.g., venipuncture, fill a syringe from a shielded vial, etc.). Key/type and otherwise operate common desktop computer accessories.
Physical Strength & Endurance	Exert force and lift objects up to 50 pounds routinely. Work standing upright 80% of the time. Perform simple motor skills for unrestricted time periods.
Mobility	Perform manipulative skills and assist patients/clients from a sitting or supine position to a standing position (e.g., assist or move patients/clients from wheelchairs and stretchers onto imaging tables).
Cognitive Skills
Critical & Analytical Thinking	Assess the condition of patients/clients assigned for an imaging procedure. Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a nuclear medicine procedure in the proper sequence.
Safety	Protect self and others from unnecessary radiation exposure. Abide by safety policies and procedures in classroom, laboratory, and clinical facility settings. Maintain awareness of alarms and emergency signals, and respond appropriately (e.g., monitors, fire alarms, hospital codes, etc.).
Sensory Skills
Observation	Recognize readings on camera control panel and computer screens. Discern fine lines, distinguish gradual changes in blacks, grays, and whites (e.g., evaluate medical images for appropriate positioning and image quality).
Perception	Perceive instructions from health care professionals and respond to verbal requests by patients/clients at six (6) to ten (10) feet.
Interpretation	Interpret scintigraphy images. Discern patient/client dose and medical charts. Receive, organize, prioritize, and transmit information. Recognize and understand content conveyed in English. Recognize and interpret facial expressions and body language.
Social-Behavioral Skills
Communication	Demonstrate English language proficiency with patients/clients and members of the health care team (e.g., use communication that is clear and easy to understand). Use proper communication techniques (e.g., correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling) in printed and typed correspondence. Provide clear verbal commands to patients/clients assigned for an imaging procedure at a distance of six (6) to ten (10) feet.
Adaptability	Adapt effectively to changing environments and increasing tension levels in a variety of situations. Demonstrate flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities inherent in the clinical problems of many patients/clients.
Emotional Stability	Tolerate taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. Demonstrate consistency in exercising good judgment. Exude willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. Focus sustained attention on tasks. Attention to detail (e.g., demonstrate careful, nuanced attention, and thorough completion of work tasks). Monitor and appropriately regulate your own emotions to maintain composure, without prompting from others (e.g., control anger and avoid aggressive behavior, even in very stressful or demanding situations). Recognize constructive criticism and performance feedback as avenues for improvement.
Interpersonal Skills	Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick and injured. Develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with health care team members and patients/clients. Show respect for individuals of different age, ethnic background, religion, and/or sexual orientation. Actively look for ways to help people. Adjust actions in relation to others’ actions. Demonstrate sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings and be understanding and helpful on the job.
Ethics & Professionalism	Demonstrate professional demeanor and behavior and perform in an ethical manner in relation to peers, faculty, staff, and patients/clients. Conform to appropriate standards of dress, appearance, language, and public behavior. Protect patients’/clients’ privacy and confidential information (e.g., adhere to HIPAA restrictions).