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BNMS RTN Group Terms of Reference 2023 

Ros Breen Fund Terms of Reference 2020.pdf

The BNMS Radiographers, Technologists and Nurses (RTN) group has created a forum for knowledge exchange, shared learning and collaboration between all RTN professionals in the Nuclear Medicine and PET specialities.

The aim is to share good practice, help the community develop and be a resource to all that develop practice with focus on patient wellbeing and scientific excellence.

The distribution list is open to anyone who wants to participate, with content and discussions being restricted only to the list subscribers; the aim is to create a community that can support with expertise and constructive discussion of all subjects of interest to the Nuclear Medicine and PET RTN community.

The link to the new distribution list is jiscmail.ac.uk/BNMS-RTN

After much discussion and following this year’s vote at our AGM, we have decided to re-brand and have changed our name to the BNMS Radiographers, Technologists & Nurse Group (RTNG).   There are several reasons for this but key amongst these is our view that this name more accurately embraces the diverse workforce that make up our numbers and will, hopefully, be recognised by Radiographers, Technologists & Nurses alike as representative of them. 

BNMS Nurses Association

28.06.2016 THE BNMS NURSES ASSOCIATION HAS NOW JOINED THE RADIOGRAPHERS, TECHNOLOGISTS AND NURSES GROUP

Over the last five years the role of the nuclear medicine technologist has become more complex.  This has primarily been due to the increased demand for more complex nuclear medicine procedures, such as myocardial perfusion scans and positron emission tomography (PET).  It is now fairly routine for technologists to perform their own injections, and perform advanced computer processing, along with imaging the patient and checking their own films.

As the equipment in the nuclear medicine department becomes more sophisticated, so do the skills of the nuclear medicine technologist. For example some gamma cameras and PET scanners are combined with a computerised tomography x-ray system. This requires the operator to have the necessary skills to operate two separate imaging systems and a sound knowledge of cross sectional anatomy. Working with these new technologies demands a continued commitment to education and research.

In some departments senior technologists have extended their roles, which involves performing duties that were formally in the medical domain. For example:

• Running cardiac stress sessions
• Issuing technical reports
• Administering therapy radionuclides
• Sentinel node injections

These are just a few examples but there are many more, so there is scope for advanced practice in nuclear medicine. The British Nuclear Medicine society is currently actively trying to enhance the role of the nuclear medicine technologist. 

Training of Nuclear Medicine Technologists

 About 50 % of Nuclear medicine Technologists are trained first as Radiographers and then train in nuclear medicine. The remainder are directly trained as technologists. The education of technologists is a continually evolving process. For details of this training in your area contact one of the BNMS technology group members listed below. Full group information can be found above To contact the chair please click here

Why Choose Nuclear Medicine as a Career?

 Nuclear medicine technologists are able to bring together knowledge and skills from the academic fields of physics and Biology. These are combined with the practical skills required to work with both precision equipment and people who are often frightened and anxious. Patients have their own individual worries and physical problems. Dealing with these in a professional but caring way that will maximise the value of the procedure and minimise the effect on the patient is probably the most important and most difficult skill a technologist must master.

 This makes for a very interesting and varied workload, which brings new challenges every day. It is a career that provides an important and worthwhile service and yet still demands a high level of skill and technology. It also means being part of a multidisciplinary team sharing knowledge with others.

Training Courses Information 

Introduction
Registered nurses working in Nuclear Medicine have at least 2 years post registration experience and many are highly skilled practitioners in the field.
Education 
Nuclear Medicine Nurses educate patients and their carers in order that they can make informed choices about their investigations and treatment.They educate nursing and medical staff (both on the wards and those visiting nuclear medicine) about basic nuclear medicine principles and procedures and support training with supervised practice. They inform other nuclear medicine staff about nursing care such as assessment of patient’s condition, pain control and comfort. They train staff to recognise emergency situations such as hypoglycaemia, anaphylaxis and problems associated with the critically ill.
Clinical Effectiveness
Nurses working in Nuclear Medicine are often involved in or instigate audit and research in order to assess quality of care provided and where possible improve the way in which procedures are performed. Also, Nuclear Medicine nurses can be involved in Phase 1 and Phase2 clinical trials.
Co-ordinate
Nurses may co-ordinate some sessions or clinics to ensure smooth running and continuity of care.
Liaison
The multidisciplinary team, comprising doctors, physicists, pharmacists, radiographers, technologists, nurses and administrative staff, contribute to the work in nuclear medicine. For the department to run smoothly, the various staff groups need to understand each other's role and communicate effectively. The nurse can have a vital role in ensuring effective liaison between staff. Since many in-patients attend Nuclear Medicine, the nurse can be a key point of contact for communication between the wards/units and the department, not only in ensuring the best possible continuity of care for the patients, but also in updating and developing the knowledge of ward nurses and doctors. 
Procedures
The nurse has an important role in the procedures which are undertaken in Nuclear Medicine. Sometimes the nurses may co-ordinate and undertake procedures, whilst at other times their role is to assist other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Stock Control
Often the nurses have a responsibility for the routine checking of essential equipment such as resuscitation equipment. In addition they may take responsibility for the ordering and purchasing of consumables and medication. Some procedures require patients to consume a fatty diet during their investigation and this may be ordered by the nurse.
What sort of Skills are required?
As Nuclear Medicine departments provide a wide variety of investigations to patients from such a large background, the nurse needs to be aware that the role can be diverse and change quite quickly. Adaptability is thus a key requirement. In addition, a good general knowledge of Nuclear Medicine will be required.

The following specific skills are required;
• Adaptable to changing situations
• Be flexible to meet the needs of patients and procedures.
• Good communication skills are essential.
• Provide support and education to patients, carers and staff.
• Critically evaluate changing situations and potential hazards to patients and staff.
• Ability to learn in a changing and growing speciality.

. Many departments have services for adults and pediatrics, therefore an understanding of the needs of    pediatrics is important to meet their special needs.

• Assessment of visiting and new staff in Nuclear Medicine, regarding techniques such as cannulation.
• Having a good sense of humour is an asset!

What sort of training and qualifications are required?
Much of the training for Nuclear Medicine nursing is performed locally, though it is essential that skills and knowledge are updated regularly. For example, attending  study days such as:

• The Law and the Nurse
• Culture and Religions
• Venepuncture and cannulation
• Radiation Protection Legislation covering staff (IRR99) and patients (IR(ME)R2000). Ask your local RPA.

The role of the nurse varies somewhat between departments, so qualifications will depend upon what each specific department expects and desires.
Where to find information.
The best advice is to contact the nearest Nuclear Medicine Department and try to arrange an informal visit.
Unfortunately, there are limited publications available specifically for nurses, so the Nurses Group have produced a newsletter called ‘Gamma Nurse’, which is not currently in print. Further information about the group can be obtained from:-

link to Paediatric Injection Technique

link to Administration of Radiopharmaceuticals

Courses for Radiographers and Technologists are listed in the Training and Education/ Courses Section of the website.
Go to 'Courses'

BNMS RTNG Frequently asked questions (FAQs): Employment queries from overseas
This section  provides some useful guidance around working in the United Kingdom if you are considering travelling from overseas.
Can be found here

British Nuclear Medicine Clinical Practitioners' Group Constitution 2011

BNMSCP Constitution August 2011 approved

Clinical Practitioners' Report 2010-2011