13 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You start by checking the radiopharmacy inventory database and the daily schedule in the EMR (MEDITECH or similar). First tasks: confirm radiopharmaceutical orders, inspect gamma cameras, and verify dose preparations in Medovation RadRunner or the local inventory system.
During the day you monitor procedures, review radiation safety checklists, log exposures in records, evaluate image quality before release, and answer clinicians’ questions. End of day includes filing detailed procedure records in the EMR and sending incident or shift notes via Outlook or the hospital messaging system.
They can do both depending on hospital rules and certification. Many RSO roles include administering radiopharmaceuticals directly and preparing patients for imaging, while other facilities require licensed nuclear medicine technologists to give the dose with the RSO supervising policy and safety.
Check your facility’s scope of practice: the EMR and radiopharmacy logs (e.g., Medovation RadRunner) will show who signed for each dose and who documented patient prep and administration.
Start with the systems that control daily safety and records: the Electronic Medical Record (MEDITECH or your hospital's EMR) and the radiopharmacy inventory database like Medovation RadRunner. You’ll use these for orders, dose tracking, and documentation.
Also learn to operate gamma cameras and the software that evaluates image quality, plus Microsoft Office and Outlook for reporting. Familiarity with e-health mobile tools is useful for remote review or telehealth consults.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025), 17,080 people were employed in this occupation. The median pay was $101,370 per year; the lowest tenth earned $78,080, and the top tenth earned $134,500.
Local pay varies by hospital size, region, and whether you cover multiple sites or on-call shifts. Use BLS as a baseline and check local job postings for specifics.
They apply radiation protection procedures: choosing the correct radiopharmaceutical dose, shielding, and positioning, then evaluating image quality before submission to decide if a repeat is needed. Accurate patient history and clinical context (from the EMR) guide dose selection and imaging protocol.
RSOs also enforce safety protocols in the scanner room and log exposures and exceptions in the radiopharmacy database so trends can be reviewed and protocols adjusted.
Technical: strong familiarity with EMR systems (MEDITECH), radiopharmacy inventory tools (Medovation RadRunner), gamma camera operation, and basic dose calculation and radiation protection procedures. You’ll also need to evaluate image quality and enter detailed procedure records accurately.
Soft skills: clear communication with patients to explain procedures, teamwork with clinicians for continuity of care, attention to detail for documentation, and comfort using Microsoft Office/Outlook and e-health tools. These reduce errors and keep patients safe.