* Superior diagnostic and technical skills including review of pertinent clinical information for optimum selection of nuclear medicine studies, performing these studies, interpreting the information obtained, correlating this information with other diagnostic studies, and following up patients receiving radionuclide therapy.
* Intellectual curiosity and dedication to scholarly activity.
* Clinical and consultative skills necessary to assume an active role in patient care.
* Competency in teaching.
* Administrative and organizational skills required to manage a nuclear medicine practice, including interaction with employees, government, and reimbursement agencies.

* Professional attitudes and behavior.

Training includes: physics, mathematics and statistics of nuclear medicine, instrumentation and computer science, radiation biology and protection, radiopharmacy, diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging, nuclear cardiology, single photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, radioimmunoassay, in vitro radionuclide procedures, and radioisotope therapy.

Facilities available include one thyroid probe, nine state-of-the-art dual-detector SPECT gamma cameras, including an integrated CT system for fusion imaging on three, and a combined PET-CT system. The imaging systems are all integrated into a computer network and PACS with the rest of the radiology department imaging systems. These are complemented by a bone densitometer, a cyclotron with associated laboratories, a radiopharmacy, and extensive research facilities including microPET and gamma camera systems. The affiliated Veterans Administration Medical Center Nuclear Medicine department consists of five SPECT systems, an uptake probe, and a bone densitometer. An extensive nuclear medicine library with teaching files and computerized instruction is available. It is expected that the nuclear medicine PIT (NMPIT) will be meaningfully involved in investigative research projects in medical imaging. The full basic science staff of the Radiological Sciences Division and the Vanderbilt University Imaging Institute is available in support of both the clinical and research aspects of nuclear medicine training.

Description of the Training Program

Organization
The first year of the program will be oriented to the development of general clinical and laboratory skills. During this period each NMPIT will receive approximately 80 hours of didactic training in physics, radiobiology, instrumentation, dosimetry, radiopharmacy and in vivo and in vitro clinical nuclear medicine. Lectures are given by individuals with expertise in each of these areas.