Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program or clinical start. The insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which in most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of Health Insurance, please note the following important dates and visit cod.studentbenefitplans.com.

Important Dates

• Open Enrollment: Typically opens November through mid-January
  If you will need health insurance ANYTIME within the next year, you must apply during the current open enrollment period.

If you miss open enrollment, but have a qualifying life event, you can still apply during a Special Enrollment Period.

While we cannot guarantee your official acceptance into the program, you need to be aware that there is short timeframe of when you are able to purchase a Health Insurance plan. The purpose of this step is to make you aware and that the time to research and purchase is NOW. Purchasing health insurance outside of this timeframe will take months and may prohibit your admittance into the Program. NOTE: Obtaining Health Insurance is NOT an application requirement but it is a requirement to be in the program.

Whether you are preparing for a career in nuclear medicine, planning to transfer to a four-year college or university or changing career paths, COD offers:

• Dedicated instructors with years of practical industry experience, certification, and licensing.
• Instruction in top-notch facilities and on cutting-edge equipment.
• Affordable programs that get you on the fast track to success without breaking the bank.

Computed Tomography (CT), Certificate

The Computed Tomography (CT) certificate provides the student with the required course work and clinical practice to perform as a Computed Tomography (CT) technologist in medical imaging departments of hospitals, medical centers, and free standing medical imaging facilities. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for certification. In addition, the CT graduates must also obtain licensure in the State of Illinois with IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency). This certificate requires 18 credits in the courses listed below.

Nuclear Medicine Technology, Certificate

The Nuclear Medicine Technology certificate involves clinical education. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for two certification boards: American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB). In addition, graduates must also obtain licensure in the State of Illinois with IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency). This certificate program consists of 40 credits in the courses listed below.

The Nuclear Medicine program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

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.

• Graduate Achievement Report

The goal of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Advanced Certificate program is to educate students with didactic, laboratory and clinical experiences in preparation for a health career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The graduate will deliver compassionate care in the use of radiopharmaceuticals and imaging techniques, and function as an integral member of the health care team with competence and confidence.

Program policies and procedures have been designed to meet or exceed those established by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Program Goals

1. Educate competent and compassionate Nuclear Medicine Technologists, capable of functioning in any environment, within 15 months.
2. Provide a complete, up-to-date competency-based curriculum.
3. Prepare the student to think and act independently.
4. Prepare the student for entry into the ever-changing Nuclear Medicine work environment.
5. Prepare the student to achieve a satisfactory registry result on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) and/or the Nuclear Medicine Certification Boards (NMTCB).
6. Provide accurate student advisement to aid in student retention, course completion, program completion and possible future job placement.
7. Provide opportunities for continuing education for Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

Diagnostic Medical Imaging – Nuclear Medicine Program graduates will:

• Demonstrate compassionate care attitude and skills meeting professional standards.
• Develop clinical skills to think and act independently.
• Be prepared with technical skills needed to enter the dynamic work environment.
• Achieve Certification-level knowledge to pass the ARRT and/or NMTCB exams.

Nuclear medicine is a scientific and clinical discipline involving the diagnostic and therapeutic use of radionuclides. Nuclear Medicine Technologists help treat disease and image the body.

Nuclear medicine differs from other diagnostic imaging technologies because it determines the presence of disease on the basis of biological changes rather than changes in organ structure.

Nuclear medicine technologists have a wide range of responsibilities, including patient care, abstracting data from patient records, calculating doses for In Vivo and In Vitro studies, preparing and administering radiopharmaceuticals, operating scanning equipment, performing computer acquisition and analysis of patient studies, and assisting the physician when using radiopharmaceuticals.

Nuclear medicine technologists should be sensitive to patients' physical and psychological needs. They must be able to pay attention to detail, follow instructions and work as part of a team. In addition, operating complicated equipment requires mechanical ability and manual dexterity. These professionals must also be willing and able to spend much of the day on their feet.

There are several questions that might help determine whether a career in nuclear medicine is right for you:

1. Do I have a passion for helping others?
2. Do I enjoy working with computer technology?
3. Am I able to communicate well with others?
4. Were math, biology and chemistry interesting classes for me in high school?