Despite what it sounds like, this job isn't something right out of a sci-fi movie. Nuclear medicine refers to the process of giving patients radioactive substances, either by mouth or injection, and using machines to take images. Unlike an X-ray, which uses external radiation to see inside the body, nuclear medicine images are made from radiation that's emitted from within. (One common example is a barium swallow test, where a patient drinks a radioactive mixture containing barium to help doctors look for esophagus problems.) As a nuclear medicine technologist, you'll need to create detailed records, which are read by physicians, of each procedure you perform. You'll also have to observe your machines for any signs of malfunctioning. But most importantly, you'll be interacting directly with the patients who are having these tests, and you'll play a crucial role in keeping them calm, comfortable, and safe from radiation's harmful effects.