The role of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) Clinical Educator is new to Queensland (QLD). The Health Practitioners (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement 2007 provided funding for 164FTE clinical educators to increase the capacity to provide clinical education placements in Queensland Health (QH) facilities, to increase support to new graduates in QH and to increase clinical education opportunities across the profession.

As the funding allocation for Nuclear Medicine was limited, it was believed that one state-wide position would be of greater value than multiple positions of minimal capacity. The benefit of creating a state-wide position was to lead the development of professional competence in the Nuclear Medicine Technologist clinical area consistently across the state.

The primary role of this position is to lead the development of education and training initiatives within Nuclear Medicine Technology across all modalities for the state. This includes initiatives for experienced NMTs, Graduates (PDYs) and undergraduate students.

Projects within this position include:
1. The creation and implementation of a standard Queensland Health Graduate year program (site specific where necessary) to incorporate all training (including mandatory hospital), registration, accreditation and orientation needs for NMTs.
2. The development of standardised competencies and training plans for front line educators to implement with their graduates to ensure consistency across Queensland Health.
3. Successful co-ordination of all university Nuclear Medicine Technology students across Queensland Health.

As this position is new and still developing, experiences and outcomes to date will be outlined during the presentation.