Will AI replace Nuclear Medicine Technologists?

AI can do 32% of the work Nuclear Medicine Technologists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 17 tasks, while 5 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 8 physical tasks. 3 still need a person.

AI is already doing this1 · 8% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Record and process results of procedures.Mostly automated8% of time

AI could do this next5 · 24% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.8% of time
  • Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.8% of time
  • Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.4% of time
  • Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.3% of time
  • Develop treatment procedures for nuclear medicine treatment programs.1% of time

Robots can technically do this8 · 57% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.Robots: purpose built settings22% of time
  • Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.Robots: structured workplaces13% of time
  • Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.Robots: purpose built settings8% of time
  • Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, or radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, or other laboratory equipment.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Position radiation fields, radiation beams, and patient to allow for most effective treatment of patient's disease, using computer.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Add radioactive substances to biological specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, to determine therapeutic drug or hormone levels.Robots: structured workplacesunder 1% of time

Still needs a person3 · 12% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.5% of time
  • Process cardiac function studies, using computer.4% of time
  • Train or supervise student or subordinate nuclear medicine technologists.3% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

Get my personal report

What this means

AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships. Robots are the other change to watch: they can technically do 67% of the working time.

What to do next

  • Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 5 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 8 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 3 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians22%Diagnostic Medical Sonographers31%Radiologic Technologists and Technicians49%Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists29%Medical Dosimetrists62%Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists32%

Get the weekly brief

One short email a week on how AI is changing work, including jobs like this one.

Check another job