Also called: Radiopharmacist
Prepares radioactive drugs used for medical imaging and cancer treatment.
Starts work around 2 a.m. because the radioactive doses decay fast: measures tracer doses behind lead glass, packs them in shielded containers, and gets them out to hospitals by sunrise for that morning's PET scans.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 7 years after high school. PharmD plus nuclear pharmacy training and authorized user status; BCNP certification optional.
Ways in: 4-year college, Professional school, Certification. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Pharmacy (PharmD), Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Nuclear Medicine.
Growing faster than average. Small niche growing with new radioactive cancer drugs.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Automated dose dispensers grow at central radiopharmacies; licensed humans still prepare and release radioactive doses.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Biology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1051.
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