Nuclear Pharmacist: Hot Shots Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear pharmacy was the first specialized practice recognized by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties. It embodies the professional and scientific knowledge required to improve and promote health through the safe and effective use of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and therapy. As with other types of pharmacy practice, nuclear pharmacy embraces the concepts of pharmaceutical care.

A nuclear pharmacist is a licensed pharmacist who specializes and acquires advanced training in radiation physics, radiation detection and measurement, mathematics, radiopharmaceutical chemistry, radiation biology, and health physics/radiation protection. Typically, this training consists of at least 700 hours of didactic instruction and practical experience in a structured educational program. Much of this training can be acquired on-the job.

As a member of the nuclear medicine team, a nuclear pharmacist specializes in the procurement, compounding, quality assurance testing, dispensing, and provision of radiopharmaceuticals. Providing these services requires nuclear pharmacists to engage in activities in the general domains of health and safety, provide information and consultation, monitor patient outcomes, and on occasion perform research and development. Additionally, we are working with positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals, and radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis and therapy. Finally, management, sales, marketing, regulatory compliance, and radiation safety are eventual and possible career pathways.