Nuclear Medicine Advanced Associates: Physician Extenders in Nuclear Medicine-Now Is the Time

Abstract

From its inception in 2008 until 2020, the nuclear medicine advanced associate (NMAA) has evolved into a valuable member of the imaging team. Data show that NMAAs perform key services including supervision, interpretation, protocoling of adjunct studies, and management, freeing nuclear medicine physicians to concentrate on more complicated and time-intensive responsibilities. Additionally, the profession has gained ground by becoming recognized by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), with the advent of a formal NMAA certification examination and recognition guidelines for institutions interested in establishing NMAA educational programs. Actions are under way for the creation of new NMAA programs with pathways to enhance and expand student recruitment. A special task force has been established by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Advanced Associate Council to raise awareness of the advantages of the physician extender within the practice setting. Practicing NMAAs perform duties that are beyond the scope of nuclear medicine technologists.