Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Job Objective
The Nuclear Medicine (SPECT/PET) Radiographer will deliver safe, high-quality Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging at AMCE Abuja. The role supports diagnosis, disease staging, treatment planning and assessment of treatment response through patient preparation, radiopharmaceutical handling, image acquisition and processing. The role holder will also perform SPECT and associated planar or hybrid imaging as required, while maintaining radiation protection, equipment quality control and compassionate patient care. All procedures will follow approved protocols, professional competence and applicable authorisation requirements.
PET Imaging and PET CT Service Delivery
Perform PET examinations as the primary clinical assignment, including PET/CT studies for oncology and other indications within AMCE’s approved service scope. Apply authorised tracer-specific protocols and confirm scan readiness with the Nuclear Medicine Physician before proceeding when preparation is outside protocol requirements. Coordinate injection, uptake and acquisition times with the radiopharmacy and clinical teams, accounting for tracer availability and radioactive decay. Position patients and select the prescribed scan coverage and acquisition parameters, adapting safely to mobility, pain and clinical needs. Acquire the PET and CT components using approved protocols. Undertake diagnostic or contrast-enhanced CT only where trained, competent and authorised. Reconstruct and review attenuation-corrected, non-attenuation-corrected and fused images; recognise motion, misregistration and other technical artefacts. Ensure accurate recording of patient weight, tracer activity and timing to support reliable standardised uptake values and comparison with previous studies. Escalate technical limitations promptly and obtain approval for additional acquisitions where needed; prepare complete image datasets for physician interpretation.
SPECT and Conventional Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Perform SPECT examinations and associated planar, dynamic or SPECT/CT imaging as required by the approved clinical service and work allocation. Undertake bone, renal, cardiac and other approved nuclear medicine studies within demonstrated competence and physician-directed protocols. Select the correct collimator, energy window, acquisition geometry and imaging parameters for the prescribed radionuclide and procedure. Perform image reconstruction, processing, correction and fusion where applicable, checking completeness and technical acceptability before patient release. Maintain competence in SPECT while prioritising the role’s PET workload; coordinate cover and multi-stage studies to avoid delays.
Patient Preparation and Clinical Care
Verify patient identity, referral details and clinical history; complete pregnancy and breastfeeding screening and escalate findings under departmental procedures. Check tracer-specific PET preparation, including fasting, blood glucose for fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), medication and recent treatment; refer exceptions for medical review. Explain the examination, confirm and document consent as required, and provide clear instructions during tracer uptake and image acquisition. Establish or assist with venous access and administer prescribed contrast or supportive medication only within assessed competence and authorised protocols. Monitor patient wellbeing, recognise extravasation or adverse reactions, and initiate the approved escalation and emergency response procedures. Provide appropriate post-procedure advice on hydration, breastfeeding or contact precautions as prescribed, and ensure safe discharge or clinical handover.
Radiopharmaceutical Handling and Workflow Coordination
Coordinate daily scan schedules and patient readiness with radiopharmacy and the cyclotron team to support timely availability of approved PET and SPECT tracers. Verify the prescribed radiopharmaceutical, patient, activity, expiry and required release documentation before use, escalating discrepancies immediately. Measure and document activity using approved equipment; administer prescribed radiopharmaceuticals only where trained and authorised under departmental protocols. Maintain traceable records of administered activity, residual activity where required, injection time and site, batch details and any administration difficulties. Handle and segregate radioactive materials and waste safely, and record avoidable tracer or consumable wastage for departmental review.
Radiation Protection and Safety
Follow AMCE procedures and applicable Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority requirements for occupational, patient and public radiation protection. Apply time, distance and shielding controls appropriate to PET and SPECT radionuclides; wear assigned dosimeters and follow controlled-area access rules. Optimise administered activity and CT exposure under approved protocols with the Nuclear Medicine Physician and Medical Physicist, while preserving image quality. Perform assigned contamination checks and follow approved procedures for spills, decontamination and radioactive waste storage or disposal. Report radiation incidents, near misses and unusual exposure or contamination findings promptly to the Radiation Protection Officer and line manager.
Equipment Quality Control and Image Quality Assurance
Complete and record assigned PET/CT, gamma camera and SPECT quality control checks, together with checks on activity meters and radiation monitors as applicable. Review routine QC results against approved acceptance limits and escalate failures to the Medical Physicist and Radiography Manager before clinical use. Support physicist-led calibration, cross-calibration, acceptance testing and periodic quality assurance without assuming responsibility for specialist physics approval. Carry out authorised basic troubleshooting and operator care; record faults and coordinate service support through the approved maintenance process. Participate in image quality and repeat-scan audits, investigate technical causes and implement agreed improvements to acquisition and processing.
Teamwork Documentation and Clinical Governance
Work with nuclear medicine, radiology, oncology and other referring teams to coordinate preparation, scan priorities and patient handovers. Complete examination records and transfer verified images to the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and Radiology Information System (RIS) within agreed timelines. Communicate preparation difficulties, scan delays and technical limitations promptly to the relevant clinicians and patient services team. Maintain confidentiality, infection prevention, equipment cleaning and accurate incident records in accordance with AMCE policies. Contribute to protocol reviews, audit, accreditation and risk management, and participate in shift or weekend service cover as required.
Training Mentorship and Service Development
Maintain documented competence in PET/CT and SPECT through continuing professional development and regular practical assessment. Mentor junior radiographers and students within the assigned supervisory remit, promoting safe practice and consistent image quality. Share learning through departmental teaching and support approved research, new tracer protocols and service improvements within assessed competence. Maintain current professional registration and participate in required radiation safety, infection prevention and emergency response training.
Qualification
Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiography or Medical Imaging, or an equivalent professional qualification recognized for nuclear medicine radiography practice in Nigeria. Valid Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) registration or current practising licence in your country of residence. Documented nuclear medicine training and assessed competence in PET/CT and SPECT imaging are essential. Postgraduate qualifications or advanced nuclear medicine or CT training are desirable. Minimum of five years’ post-qualification clinical radiography experience, including substantive experience in nuclear medicine. Demonstrable recent hands-on PET/CT experience, including patient preparation, acquisition, reconstruction and technical image review, is essential. Practical competence in SPECT and conventional gamma camera imaging, with SPECT/CT experience desirable. Experience in oncology imaging, radiopharmaceutical workflow, equipment QC and PACS/RIS documentation is required. Knowledge of nuclear medicine physics, PET and SPECT instrumentation, radiopharmaceutical principles and radiation protection. Safe radiopharmaceutical handling, activity measurement and administration within the applicable authorised scope of practice.
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