pcc.edu/programs/medical-imaging/
Career and Program Description
Note: CTT and MRI are no longer offered at PCC.
Radiography Program
Radiographers are important members of the health care team and work closely with physicians and particularly with radiologists. The radiographer is primarily concerned with providing diagnostic radiographic images (x-rays) of disease and injury and assisting in patient care. The radiographer may be employed in hospitals, clinics and medical offices.
Radiography graduates may apply to take the national certification examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and for licensure as a radiographer in the state of Oregon and Washington.
PCC’s program begins each June with an introductory course. The Radiography Program is eight terms in length (24 consecutive months). The program combines campus instruction with clinical education at affiliated hospitals in the Portland area. This program is designed to prepare the student for certification as a Registered Technologist in Radiography, R.T. (R).
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Academic Prerequisites
Radiography
- All program applicants must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. In addition, all applicants will be required to have satisfactorily completed (minimum letter grade "C") WR 121Z, MTH 95, BI 231Z, BI 232Z, BI 233Z, and MP 111 or the equivalent. Pass/No Pass grade is not acceptable in prerequisites.
- BI 231Z, BI 232Z, BI 233Z, and MTH 95 must be current within seven years of application. All prerequisites must be completed by end of winter term in the year in which you apply.
- The Radiography Program is a limited entry program with restricted enrollment. Completing admission requirements and applying to the program does not guarantee admission.
- All students must be formally admitted in order to enroll in the radiography courses. Other enrollees must have program permission.
- For information on specific application procedures and deadlines, please contact the Health Admissions Office at 971-722-4795 or visit the website www.pcc.edu/hao.
Computed Tomography Technologist Training Program
- Applicants must be registry eligible or currently registered, in good standing, in Radiography ARRT(R) or Nuclear Medicine ARRT(N) or (CNMT) to apply to the program.
- The CT Technologist Training Program is a limited entry program with restricted enrollment. Completing admission requirements and applying to the program does not guarantee admission.
- All students must be formally admitted in order to enroll in the Computed Tomography courses.
-
For information on specific application procedures and deadlines, please contact the Health Admissions Office at 971-722-4795 or visit the website www.pcc.edu/hao.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Training Program
- Applicants must be a Registered Radiologic Technologist ARRT(R), Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist ARRT(N) or (CNMT), Registered Radiation Therapy Technologist ARRT(T) or Registered Medical Sonographer (RDMS) in good standing with one-year experience preferred. Technologists with less than one year experience may be admitted with Director permission.
- The MRI Technologist training program is a limited entry program with restricted enrollment. Completing admission requirements and applying to the program does not guarantee admission.
- All students must be formally admitted in order to enroll in the MRI courses.
- For information on specific application procedures and deadlines, please contact the Health Admissions Office at 971-722-4795 or visit the website www.pcc.edu/hao.
Academic Requirements
Radiography
- Students are required to satisfactorily complete the course of study with a letter grade of "C" or better in each required course and must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0 for graduation. RAD 216 is exempt from the grade expectation as it is offered for Pass/No Pass only.
Computed Tomography Technologist Training Program
- Students are required to satisfactorily complete the course of study with a letter grade of "C" or better in each didactic course and a letter grade of "B" or better in the clinical courses.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Training Program
- Students in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Certificate program must complete all MRI courses with a letter grade of "C" or better.
Non-Academic Prerequisites
Radiography
- The Radiography Program does not require a computer science prerequisite; however, success in a Radiography Program requires that students be computer literate, including, at least, word processing, use of spreadsheets and web searches. Students with no computer experience should discuss with an advisor ways to achieve competency prior to entering the Radiography Program.
- Potential applicants are encouraged but not required to gain health care experience by volunteering or working in the health care industry, preferably in a hospital setting to gain knowledge of professional duties and responsibilities.
- Once accepted to the program, students will be required to submit to a criminal background check and a drug screen for their clinical practicum. Students must be able to provide a valid Social Security number for the criminal background check. Proof of immunizations will also be required. For a complete listing of required immunizations, please visit our website at www.pcc.edu/rad.
- During the course of the program students will be working with ionizing radiation, processing chemicals and they will provide patient care to individuals who may have contagious diseases. Special immunization is required.
Computed Tomography Technologist Training Program
-
Once accepted to the program, students will be required to submit to a criminal background check and a drug screen for their clinical practicum. Students must be able to provide a valid Social Security Number for the criminal background check. Proof of immunizations may also be required. For a complete list of required immunizations, please visit the Medical Imaging website.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist Training Program
-
Once accepted to the program, students will be required to submit to a criminal background check and a drug screen for their clinical practicum. Students must be able to provide a valid Social Security Number for the criminal background check. Proof of immunizations may also be required. For a complete list of required immunizations, please visit the Medical Imaging website.
Non-Academic Requirements
- None
Radiography AAS Degree
Minimum 102.5 credits. Students must also meet Associate Degree Comprehensive Requirements and Associate of Applied Science Requirements. Students must complete a total of four courses of General Education. In addition to required courses in the program of study, students must satisfy MTH 58/65 competency. Students should consult with program advisors for course planning.
Course of Study
The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.
| Summer Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| RAD 100 | Introduction to Radiography | 2 |
| First Term | ||
| RAD 101 | Radiographic Positioning I | 3 |
| RAD 105 | Methods of Patient Care | 3 |
| RAD 106 | Radiographic Equipment I | 4 |
| RAD 110 | Radiographic Clinic I | 4.5 |
| Second Term | ||
| RAD 102 | Radiographic Positioning II | 3 |
| RAD 107 | Radiographic Equipment II | 4 |
| RAD 115 | Principles of Exposure | 3 |
| RAD 120 | Radiographic Clinic II | 4.5 |
| Third Term | ||
| RAD 103 | Radiographic Positioning III | 3 |
| RAD 203 | Applied Radiography Topics | 2 |
| RAD 130 | Radiographic Clinic III | 4.5 |
| RAD 132 | Radiographic Image Production | 3 |
| General Education: 1 Course | ||
| Fourth Term | ||
| RAD 140 | Radiographic Clinic IV | 10 |
| General Education: 1 Course | ||
| Fifth Term | ||
| RAD 122 | Radiation Protection - Biology | 3 |
| RAD 205 | Radiographic Positioning IV | 3 |
| RAD 210 | Radiographic Clinic V | 7 |
| General Education: 1 Course | ||
| Sixth Term | ||
| RAD 213 | Survey of Advanced Imaging Modalities | 3 |
| RAD 230 | Radiographic Clinic VII | 9 |
| General Education: 1 Course | ||
| Seventh Term | ||
| RAD 206 | Survey of Medical Imaging Diseases | 3 |
| RAD 216 | Radiography Registry Review | 2 |
| RAD 220 | Radiographic Clinic VI | 7 |
| Total Credits | 102.5 | |
RAD 100. Introduction to Radiography. 2 Credits.
Introduces the healthcare team and various aspects of radiological sciences. Includes medical ethics, professional organizations, medicolegal considerations, communication, cultural diversity, basic radiation protection, fundamental technical components, radiological history, healthcare organizations, and medical specialties. Prerequisites: Department permission required.
RAD 101. Radiographic Positioning I. 3 Credits.
Covers basic radiographic positioning techniques employed in radiographic imaging of chest, abdomen, and selected parts of the upper and lower extremities. Explores osteology, anatomy, and pathology. Includes a lab experience with peer positioning, image critique, anatomical identification, pathologies, and an energized section using phantoms and ionizing radiation. Prerequisites: RAD 100.
RAD 102. Radiographic Positioning II. 3 Credits.
Covers basic positioning techniques used in radiography of the shoulder girdle, humerus, pelvic girdle, femur, and spinal column. Presents related osteology, anatomy, and pathology. Includes a lab experience with peer positioning, image critique, anatomical identification, pathologies, and an energized section using phantoms and ionizing radiation. Prerequisites: RAD 101.
RAD 103. Radiographic Positioning III. 3 Credits.
Covers basic positioning techniques used in radiography of the bony thorax, skull, paranasal sinuses, facial bones, temporal bone, mastoids and mandible. Assesses relevant osteology, anatomy, and pathology. Includes a lab experience with peer positioning, image critique, anatomical identification, pathologies, and an energized section using phantoms and ionizing radiation. Prerequisites: RAD 102.
RAD 105. Methods of Patient Care. 3 Credits.
Covers general care of patients in radiology department. Emphasizes radiographer's role regarding patient care with cardiac arrest, vital signs, accident victims, bedside procedures, aseptic techniques, contagious disease control, blood borne pathogens, venipuncture, administration of medication and contrast media reactions. Introduces fundamentals of urinary catheterization. Lab provides application of theory. Department permission required.
RAD 106. Radiographic Equipment I. 4 Credits.
Covers fundamental concepts of energy and measurements, atomic structures, molecules, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, transformers, and rectifiers in relation to radiographic equipment. Prerequisite: RAD 100.
RAD 107. Radiographic Equipment II. 4 Credits.
Covers the safe operation of generators, timers, x-ray tubes, recording devices, physiology of sight, image intensifiers, television camera/monitors, digital radiography, tomograph, teleradiography, mobile radiography and fluoroscopic equipment. Prerequisite: RAD 106.
RAD 110. Radiographic Clinic I. 4.5 Credits.
Provides clinical education experience in an affiliated hospital radiology department under the supervision of a registered radiographer and radiologist. Includes equipment manipulation and operation, performance of radiological imaging procedures, application of radiation protection concepts, medicolegal and ethical standards, record keeping, and patient care skills. Prerequisite: RAD 100.
RAD 115. Principles of Exposure. 3 Credits.
Covers production and control of scattered radiation, grid technique, filtration, half value layer, magnification, contrast and density principles. Includes a lab experience for applying the theories using energized equipment and test tools. Prerequisite: RAD 106.
RAD 120. Radiographic Clinic II. 4.5 Credits.
Provides clinical education experience in an affiliated hospital radiology department under the supervision of a registered radiographer and radiologist. Includes knowledge and application of fluoroscopic equipment manipulation and operation, radiological and flouroscopic imaging procedures, radiation protection, medicolegal and ethical protocol, record keeping and patient care. Requires clinical competencies, objectives, performance assessment and attendance. Prerequisite: RAD 110.
RAD 122. Radiation Protection - Biology. 3 Credits.
Introduces biological effects of ionizing radiation and application of principles to minimize the risks of man-made radiation. Examines standards and requirements determined by government guidelines. Department permission required. Prerequisite: RAD 106.
RAD 130. Radiographic Clinic III. 4.5 Credits.
Provides clinical education experience in an affiliated hospital radiology department under the supervision of a registered radiographer and radiologist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, mobile c-arm fluoroscopic and radiographic imaging procedures, radiation protection, medicolegal and ethical protocol, recordkeeping and patient care. Prerequisite: RAD 120.
RAD 132. Radiographic Image Production. 3 Credits.
Introduces theory and practical application of digital systems, computed radiography (CR), direct radiography (DR), image processing, image quality, subtraction, and quality assurance. Includes a lab using test tools with energized equipment. Prerequisite: RAD 115.
RAD 140. Radiographic Clinic IV. 10 Credits.
Provides clinical education experience in an affiliated hospital radiology department under the supervision of a registered radiographer and radiologist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, image critiques, radiological imaging procedures, radiation protection, medicolegal and ethical protocols, record keeping and patient care. Prerequisite: RAD 130.
RAD 203. Applied Radiography Topics. 2 Credits.
Examines legal principles in radiography by looking at a variety of topics related to medical/professional ethics. Includes discussions on the code of ethics and bioethical issues in radiography. Covers the attitudes and communication knowledge needed to develop critical thinking skills in patient care with diverse populations.
RAD 205. Radiographic Positioning IV. 3 Credits.
Covers positioning of patients for imaging of digestive system, urinary system in fluoroscopic studies. Introduces imaging of patients in trauma situations, mobile scenarios, and use of x-ray equipment in the surgical setting. Provides hands on lab experience to practice peer positioning, image critique, anatomical identification, pathologies, radiation safety and energized imaging with the use of phantoms. Covers both trauma and non-trauma scenarios. Prerequisites: RAD 103.
RAD 206. Survey of Medical Imaging Diseases. 3 Credits.
Covers basic principles and processes of disease, characteristics of neoplasms and systems with related disease as it applies to the radiological science imaging. Department permission required.
RAD 210. Radiographic Clinic V. 7 Credits.
Provides clinical education experience in an affiliated hospital radiology department under the supervision of a registered radiographer and radiologist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, radiological imaging procedures, radiation protection, medicolegal and ethical protocol, recordkeeping and patient care. Includes an observation through the Angiography/Cardiac Cath Lab suite. Prerequisite: RAD 140.
RAD 213. Survey of Advanced Imaging Modalities. 3 Credits.
Covers vascular contrast media chemistry & characteristics, techniques and equipment used to catheterize the vascular system, indications for various vascular/cardiac diagnostic and interventional procedures, and selective vascular anatomy. Introduces computed tomography, magnetic resonance, nuclear medicine, sonography, radiation therapy, mammography, and DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry). Prerequisites: RAD 107.
RAD 216. Radiography Registry Review. 2 Credits.
Provides review of the major content areas appearing in the national certification examination. Reviews radiation protection, equipment operation and maintenance, image production and evaluation, radiographic procedures and patient care. Requires the completion of unit examinations and at least one mock registry exam. Prerequisite: Department permission required.
RAD 220. Radiographic Clinic VI. 7 Credits.
Provides clinical education experience in an affiliated hospital radiology department under the supervision of a registered radiographer and radiologist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, radiological imaging procedures, radiation protection, medicolegal and ethical protocol, record keeping and patient care. Includes a rotation through all other medical imaging modalities. Prerequisite: RAD 210.
RAD 230. Radiographic Clinic VII. 9 Credits.
Provides clinical education experience in an affiliated hospital radiology department under the supervision of registered radiographer and radiologist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, radiological imaging procedures, radiation protection, medicolegal and ethical protocol, recordkeeping, and patient care. Includes a three-week rotation to another clinic site. Prerequisites: RAD 210.