Theranostics Education: Educators’ Perspective

The rapid expansion of theranostics has increased the stress felt by many nuclear medicine departments. One significant challenge relates to the training of nuclear medicine technology students in new therapy procedures during a time when protocols and expectations are in flux. Nuclear medicine technologist education programs are being asked to graduate fully functional theranostics technologists before the resources for such training are available in the clinical sphere. This article describes the basic parameters under which education programs operate, namely the national scope of practice, programmatic accreditation standards, and credentialing examination content. The approaches and limitations of several programs around the country are presented. Despite considerable variability in the extent of student participation in theranostic procedures, the foundational elements of their nuclear medicine education remain firmly in place and reliable. Graduates will learn the specifics of each procedure in the workplace, as happens with already-credentialed nuclear medicine technologists.