Overview
Delivery Mode: BLENDED
- This program will be delivered during COVID-19 as a combination of online and on-campus learning.
- Faculty will notify students of when their attendance on campus will be required.
- We are putting measures in place for your safety and well-being, ensuring that all safety protocols are addressed. Please see BCIT COVID-19 Return to Operations for details on the mandatory procedures that have been implemented.
- Your education is our priority and we will continue to deliver the applied instruction, collaborative experience, and industry connections that you expect from BCIT.
BCIT’s highly regarded Nuclear Medicine Technology program is the only one of its kind in BC. Our quality instructors and in-hospital clinical training prepare students to start their careers the moment they graduate.
Nuclear medicine uses biological tracers combined with radioactive material to produce images that help diagnose and manage disease. As a specialized branch of non-invasive diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine stands out for its ability to detect subtle changes in the body’s function, allowing early detection of a wide range of disorders.
About the program
- A continuous 24-month, full-time, diploma program
- On-campus lectures and labs provide the fundamentals of nuclear medicine and patient care
- Clinical experiences at nuclear medicine facilities in BC
To learn more about BCIT’s Nuclear Medicine Diploma program, visit Program Details.
Who it’s for
This program is for individuals who:
- Have a high school diploma or higher level of education
- Have demonstrated a strong aptitude for sciences
- Want to work directly with patients as part of a collaborative healthcare team
- Thrive in an innovative, technical, and caring environment
- Are interested in developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Have manual dexterity to work with sensitive material and equipment
Does this sound like you? See Entrance Requirements to find out if this program is a good fit for you.
What grads can do
Our grads are an integral part of patient care. See Graduating and Jobs to learn what a future in nuclear medicine looks like.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
COVID-19 Notice to Applicants
Application processing
Applications are accepted from October 1st* to April 30th.*
*or next business day
Entrance requirements
Competitive Entry: Three-step process
This program is competitive and only applicants who have met the academic entrance requirements will be considered. Preference for shortlisting will be given to applicants with:
- Math, biology, and physics requirements completed within the last five years
- Post-secondary education
- A strong GPA
- Related volunteer and/or work experience
- A demonstrated interest in the field
Step 1: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking
country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (73%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (73%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (73%) from a recognized institution
What if I don’t meet these English requirements? - Math: one of the following (or equivalent):
- Pre-Calculus 12 (73%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- MATH 0001 - Technical Mathematics (73%) or
- MATH 0120 - Math 12 Competency Test (73%) or
- 3.0 credits post-secondary math (linear algebra, pre-calculus or calculus) at 100 level or higher (73%) from a recognized institution
- Biology: one of the following (or equivalent):
- Anatomy and Physiology 12 (73%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BHSC 0110 - Foundational Human Anatomy and Physiology (73%) or
- BHSC 0100 - Human Biology (73%) or
- BHSC 0012 - Biology 12 Challenge Exam (73%) or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary human biology (73%) from a recognized institution
- Chemistry: one of the following (or equivalent)
- Chemistry 12 (73%) or
- CHEM 0120 - Chemistry 12 Challenge Exam (73%) or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary chemistry (73%) from a recognized institution
- Physics: one of the following (or equivalent):
- Complete the following assessment:
- Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer): CASPer will send your results directly to the BCIT Nuclear Medicine department.
- Complete the following forms for submission with your online application:
- Applicant Acknowledgement of Requirements [PDF]: To acknowledge the nature of this training and the physically demanding nature of this work.
- Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire [PDF]: This form will be used with other entrance requirements in the competitive selection for the program.
If more than five years has elapsed since you completed the math, biology, or physics requirement, upgrading is preferred.
- Students can only write the math, biology, and physics challenge exams once.
- A student who registers and writes these exams a second time will be given the mark from their first attempt.
- The post-secondary human biology equivalent courses' content must include cytology and the structure and function of the following organ systems: digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, renal/urinary, and reproductive.
- To meet the minimum requirements, applicants must submit final or midterm grades in support of their application. Midterm reports must demonstrate a minimum completion of 50% of the gradable course work.
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
Step 2: Department assessment
All applications will be reviewed by the program area. Applicant files are assessed and scored based on completion, academic strength of listed entrance requirements, scoring of the mandatory questionnaire, and CASPer test results. Only complete applications received by the application deadline date will be considered.
Step 3: Conditionally selected applicants
If you have been conditionally accepted to BCIT you will be notified and the following information will be required in order to be accepted into the program:
Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - Level C
Immunization Review [PDF]
Submit to Student Health Services.
Immunization is a mandatory requirement for this program.
Once these and any other outstanding conditions have been met, you will receive notification of your full acceptance.
Clinical requirements
Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.
As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times through the flu season prior to being placed in your clinical studies.
Face Respirator Fit Testing
A face piece respiratory fit test is required before students are permitted to enter the clinical practicum. Upon successful completion of the fit test, the original certificate must be presented to the program and annual re-fitting is required. Students are expected to carry their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.
For the respirator fit testing, testing with a N95 respirator is required and must be performed in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit testing must also include inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions on how to access fit testing by the program prior to the first clinical practicum. Students are responsible for paying for the annual fit test while in the program.
Recommended for success
Since the work is highly technical and exacting, you must feel comfortable with complex instruments, possess considerable manual dexterity, and have meticulous work habits. You must also have a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to work as a health-care team worker. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required.
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
- Go back Overview
- Next up Costs & Supplies
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Please see the Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees page for full-time tuition fees.
Books & supplies
Level 1: $1,260
Level 2: $545
Level 3: $435
Level 4: $950
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
Face respirator fit testing: approx $25 per year, annual re-fitting required
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
- Go back Entrance Requirements
- Next up Courses
Courses
Program matrix
Level 1 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
BHSC 1106 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 (NMED) | 5.0 | |
CHEM 1318 | General and Organic Chemistry for Nuclear Medicine | 3.0 | |
COMM 3374 | Professional Communication for Nuclear Medicine | 3.0 | |
MATH 1751 | Technical Mathematics for Nuclear Medicine | 4.0 | |
NMED 1025 | Radiopharmaceuticals 1 | 6.0 | |
NMED 1040 | Introduction to Nuclear Medicine | 3.0 | |
PHYS 1274 | Physics for Nuclear Medicine 1 | 6.0 | |
Level 2 (20 weeks) | Credits | ||
BHSC 1126 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology (NMED) | 2.5 | |
BHSC 1439 | Human Behavior (NMED) | 2.5 | |
BHSC 2206 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (NMED) | 5.5 | |
HSIP 1000 | Health Sciences Interprofessional Patient Care | 2.0 | |
MATH 2751 | Statistics for Nuclear Medicine | 4.0 | |
NMED 1100 | Nuclear Medicine Patient Care | 2.0 | |
NMED 2025 | Radiopharmaceuticals 2 | 6.5 | |
NMED 2040 | Applied Physiology 1 | 2.5 | |
NMED 2050 | Radiobiology and Radiation Safety | 3.5 | |
PHYS 2274 | Physics for Nuclear Medicine 2 | 9.5 | |
Summer (12 weeks) | Credits | ||
NMED 2090 | Clinical Experience 1 | 17.0 | |
Level 3 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
BHSC 3306 | Pathophysiology 1 (NMED) | 3.0 | |
MRAD 4500 | Clinical Applications in Computed Tomography | 3.0 | |
NMED 3025 | Nuclear Medicine Applications 1 | 5.5 | |
NMED 3026 | Applied Nuclear Medicine Labs 1 | 5.5 | |
NMED 3080 | Clinical Experience 2 | 8.5 | |
PHYS 3274 | Physics for Nuclear Medicine 3 | 3.5 | |
Level 4 (19 weeks) | Credits | ||
BHSC 4406 | Pathophysiology 2 (NMED) | 2.5 | |
NMED 3010 | Image Display | 2.0 | |
NMED 4025 | Nuclear Medicine Applications 2 | 5.5 | |
NMED 4026 | Applied Nuclear Medicine Labs 2 | 6.0 | |
NMED 4080 | Clinical Experience 3 | 11.0 | |
PHYS 4274 | Tomography in Nuclear Medicine | 3.0 | |
Level 5 (14 weeks) | Credits | ||
NMED 4090 | Clinical Experience 4 | 19.5 | |
Total Credits: | 166.0 |
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
- Go back Costs & Supplies
- Next up Program Details
Program Details
Program length
Two years, full-time beginning in September each year.
Grading
All courses require a 65% mark to pass. During Levels 3 and 4, students spend alternate two-week periods of 35 hours per week in the clinical area. The hours listed for these levels are the average hours per week for the term on campus.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Health Standards Organization (HSO) and its affiliate accreditation (AC) through their new EQUAL Canada program. Students of the program will have the opportunity to attain all of the required skills in the CAMRT National Competency Profile for Nuclear Medicine technologists.
Continue your education
BCIT offers a Bachelor of Health Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging that continues from the two-year Nuclear Medicine diploma.
- Go back Courses
- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
Our graduates work
Our grads work in hospital nuclear medicine departments, performing diagnostic imaging for a diverse group of patients. It’s a challenging, hands-on environment. We make sure you graduate with everything needed to thrive and provide the best diagnostic procedures and patient care possible.
Career opportunities
Grads write the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) certification exam to earn their Registered Technologist Nuclear Medicine (RTNM) designation.
Nuclear medicine grads can find work as nuclear medicine technologists in the field of medical radiation sciences. Annual full-time salaries start at approximately $52,000. Our grads support patients from all walks of life in various stages of health, including patients who:
- Are hospitalized or bedridden
- Range in ages from infant to seniors
- Are in various stages of disease diagnosis and treatment
Keep learning
Enhance your education through post-diploma part-time studies in Health Leadership, Radiation Therapy, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2017-2019 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2016-2018 graduates and for Degree 2015-2017 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Professional associations
Graduates of the BCIT program are eligible to take the national professional certification examination set by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. Successful candidates may use the designation Registered Technologist Nuclear Medicine (RTNM) and work as registered nuclear medicine technologists anywhere in Canada and in many other parts of the world.
Graduates are also eligible to take professional certification exams offered in the United States by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
- Go back Program Details
- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
The Nuclear Medicine faculty are known for their skills, expertise, and dedication to student learning. Our instructors are all CAMRT certified technologists and many remain active in the profession.
Debbie Shaw
Program Head, Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 604-432-8303
Email: Debbie_Shaw@bcit.ca
Work Experience
Debbie has been a faculty member with the nuclear medicine program since 2003. Prior to joining BCIT, she worked as a nuclear medicine technologist and clinical student supervisor at Lions Gate Hospital.
Education
Debbie is a graduate of the BCIT Nuclear Medicine Program. Since joining BCIT, Debbie has worked towards achieving both the provincial instructor diploma in adult education from Vancouver Community College and a Masters of Education in Distance Education from Athabasca University. She is certified and is a full-practice member with the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT).
Joe Cortese
Instructor, Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 604-451-6993
Email: Joe_Cortese@bcit.ca
Work experience
Joe has been a faculty member with the nuclear medicine program since 2008. Prior to joining BCIT, he worked at the British Columbia Cancer Agency as a Medical Physics Assistant where he was integral part of a team implementation and designing
the Quality Control Program for Linear Accelerators, CT simulators, a Cobalt Teletherapy Unit, and X-Ray Simulator.
Education
Joe received his BSc in Physics from the University of British Columbia in 1999. Joe is a Registered Radiation Safety Professional and received his CRPA(R) designation from the Canadian Radiation Protection Association in 2010.
Other
Joe is a highly sought after radiation safety instructor in Canada. His training courses consistently receive high ratings and excellent reviews. Joe has been designated an Industry Services trainer for Radiation Safety Officer Courses and Transportation
of Dangerous Goods-Radioactive Materials. He has provided instruction of radiation safety to nuclear medicine departments, cancer care centers, fire fighters, laboratories, radiation therapy and occupational health and safety sectors.
Bryce Gillman
Instructor, Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 604-456-8118
Email: bgillman@bcit.ca
Work experience
Bryce Gillman has been a faculty member with the Nuclear Medicine Program at BCIT since 2015. Prior to joining the BCIT team, he worked as a registered technologist in nuclear medicine at a number of different hospitals in the greater Vancouver area. When he is not teaching, Bryce still picks up shifts regularly in a casual position at BC Cancer Agency in the PET/CT department, as well as in the CT department at Burnaby Hospital and Nuclear Medicine department at Royal Columbian Hospital.
Education
In addition to receiving his diploma in nuclear medicine from BCIT, Bryce has completed advanced diplomas in CT and PET/CT through the CAMRT. He also has a BSc. in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University. He plans to complete his Master’s Degree in Radiation Health Physics in the near future.
Bryce is also a Registered Radiation Safety Professional (RRSP) – successfully completing his CRPA(R) designation from the Canadian Radiation Protection Association in 2017. In this role, Bryce has worked with a variety of medical and industrial clients across Canada in both radiation and laser safety. He has performed risk assessments for high powered lasers, conducted audits and developed customized laser and radiation safety manuals. He has had a great deal of experience in the management and safe handling practices of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in these roles.
Other
As an instructor, Bryce loves to share his knowledge and passion for nuclear medicine. He was a presenter at the EANM Annual Congress in Barcelona earlier this year and has previously been a speaker at last year’s CANM/CAMRT Joint Annual Conference presenting on CT dose reduction strategies. He believes in the value of continued professional development and life-long learning. Where possible, Bryce tries to nurture curiosity from students and encourages them to be engaged in their own learning process.
When he has spare time, Bryce enjoys hiking, skiing and cycling – taking advantage of the great landscape of British Columbia.
Kevin Hudkins
Clinical Coordinator, Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 604-451-6738
Email: Kevin_Hudkins@bcit.ca
Work Experience
Kevin has been the Clinical Coordinator for students in the Nuclear Medicine Technology program since 1993. Prior to joining BCIT, he was an instructor in the SAIT Nuclear Medicine program for several years, and was acting Program Head for the
year before accepting the position at BCIT. He worked as a technologist at a Nuclear Medicine clinic in Calgary after graduating from SAIT in 1986 until his employment at SAIT.
Professional Contributions
Kevin authored and presented a paper on “Biodistribution of Various 99mTc – Labelled Radiocolloids in Laboratory Animals” to the Society of Nuclear Medicine Prairie Provinces Chapter Annual Meeting in Banff, Alberta. He served on the CAMRT Certification
Exam committee for 14 years, participated in conference planning committees, and has organized workshops for teaching technologists for many years.Other
Kevin’s aim as Clinical Coordinator is to help students achieve their goal of clinical competence by providing insight and feedback that develops consistent performance and critical thinking, as well as ensuring understanding of clinical concepts
and procedures through testing sessions for clinical studies. He enjoys the one-on-one connection that develops with students by observing and interacting with them in the clinical environment as they progress in experience and knowledge within
the field. Away from BCIT, Kevin is a photography enthusiast, enjoys kayaking, motorcycle rides, travel, and time with family, friends, and his dog.
Kristy Owen
Instructor, Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 604-451-7170
Email: kowen6@bcit.ca
Empowered by more than 14 years in the field of Nuclear Medicine, Kristy Owen had the privileged to study at UBC and later on at BCIT. Her clinical experience acquired at various hospitals within British Columbia allowed her to develop her solid
Nuclear Medicine Technologist and leadership skills at renowned institutions such as St. Paul’s Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital. It is most definitely her training at BCIT that played a big role in defining her career path as an
Assistant-Instructor and more recently in an Instructor role. Her love for teaching transpired throughout her professional journey acting as a member of SNMMI or CAMRT annual conference organizing committee & co-chair. She is always proud
to support and promote the BCIT Nuclear Medicine Program attending scientific meetings around the world. Kristy is a recipient of several distinctions and awards including the Bowers Medical Suppliers Scholarship, BCIT Health Sciences Dr. Joseph
Cohen Award for Outstanding Academic Performance, UBC Entrance Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Performance and the Ministry of Education Provincial Scholarship.
Louise Rimanic
Instructor, Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 604-451-7030
Email: Louise_Rimanic@bcit.ca
Louise Rimanic has been a faculty member with the nuclear medicine program since 1998. Louise graduated with distinction from the BCIT Nuclear Medicine Technology Program in 1981. Prior to joining BCIT, Louise worked as a Chief Technologist and Student
Supervisor at B.C.Children’s Hospital for 17 years. Louise tries to teach by example and hopes to inspire students to become active members of their profession and adopt a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. For her contributions to the profession,
Louise has been awarded the WQ Stirling Award, the Marshall Mallett Lamp of Knowledge and the CAMRT President’s Medal. In her spare time, Louise enjoys cycling, gardening, travelling, and supporting soccer.
Thomas Wong
Instructor, Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 604-456-8138
Email: Thomas_Wong@bcit.ca
Work Experience
Thomas has been a faculty member with the nuclear medicine program since 2013. Prior to joining BCIT, he worked as a full-time nuclear medicine technologist at Burnaby Hospital, where he briefly served as the clinical student supervisor.
Education
Thomas graduated from the BCIT Nuclear Medicine Program in 2007. In addition to his diploma in nuclear medicine, he has a BSc in Cell & Molecular Biology from Simon Fraser University (2004), full-practice CAMRT membership and certification in
nuclear medicine (since 2007), and is currently working towards his provincial instructor diploma in adult education from Vancouver Community College.
Publications
Thomas was the recipient of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Proficiency in Radiopharmacy in 2007. His professional contributions include guest speaker presentations at the 2011 BCAMRT Annual General Conference (Dual Isotope Parathyroid Imaging)
and the 2018 CANM/CAMRT Joint Annual Conference (Cardiac Image Enhancement).
Other
Thomas’ most important goal as an instructor is to help students achieve clinical competence through the development of critical thinking and decision-making skills. He loves to use active and experiential learning in his classroom to give students
opportunity to apply their knowledge. During his spare time, Thomas enjoys cooking new recipes, playing badminton and ball hockey, and spending time with his family and friends.
- Go back Graduating & Jobs
- Next up Contact Us
Subscribe
Sign up to receive updates, invitations to events, and information about BCIT and your program.
We promise not to spam you, we won’t share your personal information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
- Go Back Contact Us
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.