title: Position paper on the development of a middle level provider in nuclear medicine: the nuclear medicine practitioner.
abstract: The development of an educational program and credentialing structure to support and recognize an advanced level of the practice of nuclear medicine technology is now underway. This work parallels the efforts in many, if not most, health care disciplines as they seek to achieve the twin goals of developing enhanced career paths and providing the best possible patient care in an environment where science and technology can run roughshod over concepts taught in the classroom a mere decade ago. Education is key to both goals. A master's level degree in nuclear medicine technology, coupled with an advanced practice credential recognizing both the educational achievement and a level of clinical expertise, will give nuclear medicine practitioners the knowledge and the right to practice their profession at a high level of autonomy, leading to more efficient and higher quality health care services. To that end the following position paper was prepared by members of the Advance Practice Task Force of the SNMTS and presented to the SNMTS Executive Council and the SNM Board of Directors. In June 2005, the executive council and the board of directors approved a resolution supporting the establishment of a middle level provider in nuclear medicine known as the nuclear medicine practitioner.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
authors.forename: Martha W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Pickett
authors.forename: Frances K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Keech
authors.forename: Mary Anne Mimi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stachowiak
authors.forename: Lynnette A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Fulk
authors.forename: Kathleen H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hubble
authors.forename: Leonie L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Gary L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Dillehay
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Henkin
mesh_terms: D003406:Credentialing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004501:Education, Medical; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D008511:Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D009683:Nuclear Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D013038:Specialization; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States