In this edition of Behind the Desk, we highlight a College member in Calgary who has chosen to practice in nuclear medicine technology. Michelle L. gives us a glimpse into why she chose nuclear medicine, what her work day involves and her insights into the profession.

What intrigued you to enter this profession?

The part that intrigued me the most to become a nuclear medicine technologist is working with radioactive isotopes such as Technetium 99m and F-18. As I learned more about nuclear medicine, I started to gain an interest in radioisotope therapy. Currently, in my profession, I’m involved in a clinical trial in which I synthesize Ga-68 DOTATATE for PET/CT scans. Radiation can be scary for everyone but the knowledge I continue to gain and application of radiation protection allows for limiting of radiation exposure. Nuclear medicine is always changing, from new radioactive isotopes used for imaging and treatment to new cameras being developed to improve image quality but also lowering the required dose to the patient.

Describe your best day.

The best day for me is receiving the Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m Generator on time and eluting the generators, which have enough activity to prepare Technetium-99m kits for the day. All kits will pass quality control smoothly. Currently, I’m involved in a clinical trial with the use of Ga-68 DOTATATE. A successful synthesis of Ga-68 DOTATATE, which includes sufficient activity and passing all aspects of quality control, will allow for the patient to be scanned using a PET/CT camera. After these kits are prepared, a patient for a radioiodine ablation therapy may check in at the reception desk. I would receive their paperwork and double check that the physician has signed the requisition and the patient has signed the consent forms. I also will check if the female patient is over 11 and under 55 years old has had a negative pregnancy test within 72 hours. Then, I get the patient into our examination room and perform NOD (name, occupation and duty) and check for two patient identifications. Patients will watch an information video that demonstrates the precautions that need to be taken after the radioiodine drink and also how to take the drink. After the video, I will address any questions the patient may have. If the patient is okay to proceed then I will calculate the amount of radioiodine to be dispensed into a cup or bottle. Patients will only be able to hold onto their straw and use a cup of water to drink after. This is very important to limit the spread of contamination. After the drink, patients are free to go. I will clean up the station and dispose of contamination properly. This is the best day because there was enough activity for the day, quality control passed, patient’s paperwork was completed, female patients over 11 and under the age of 55 had results of a negative pregnancy test within 72 hours, and there were no radioactive spills/contaminations.

What other professions do you interact with on a daily basis?

X-ray and CT techs, as patients often require an X-ray or CT scan before or after a nuclear medicine scan.

Do you think artificial intelligence (AI) will have an impact on your daily duties?

AI can have some impact on my daily duties because I use a piece of equipment called the dose calibrator that reads the radioactive activity of my eluate and kits. This device measures the amount of activity in a syringe, vial or bottle. Other AI used daily are the scanners, which continue to evolve for better resolution, shorter acquisition time and lowering of patient dose required. Nuclear medicine technology also encompasses positron emitting technology (PET), commonly using F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which uses a med rad machine that dispenses a specific dose to the patient.

You recently joined the College’s Registration Committee and attended your first meeting. Can you give us insight on what you gleaned from this?

I really enjoyed my first meeting with the Registration Committee members. All committee members were very welcoming and friendly. I was very impressed with the structure and consistency of the decision making that the committee has made for applicants. It is also very interesting to read about applicants’ letters of reason for application into the College. Many committee members have had similar experiences, which allows for clarification of questions about the applicant’s information.

What do you think your profession will be like in 10 years?

In 10 years, I will expand my experiences in the current clinical trial, Ga-68 DOTATATE for neuroendocrine tumours, with the use of PET/CT scanners. I think a cyclotron will be in place at my site, which will be used to produce other radioactive isotopes for the PET/CT scanner to expand imaging procedures. I will also gain knowledge of other modalities such as CT and MR.