Diagnostic Imaging | LBCC

Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic Imaging is an exciting, dynamic, and progressive field. Graduates from our Diagnostic Imaging program are eligible to become certified in general radiography. Once students complete their certification exams they are considered Radiologic Technologists (x-ray techs). This certification opens the door toward specialty imaging modalities like CT, MRI, mammography, sonography, and more. Graduates can pursue these pathways after the program while working as a Radiologic Technologist.

What does an X-ray Tech do?

Radiologic technologists make up the third-largest group of health care professionals—surpassed in number only by physicians and nurses. 

A primary responsibility of many technologists is to create images of patients’ bodies using medical equipment. This helps doctors diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. Depending on your specialty, you might use X-ray, MRI, CT, fluoroscopy, or sonography equipment. 

In some cases, you may prepare and inject radiopharmaceutical agents into patients before creating the images. 

You could also help physicians perform procedures—such as angioplasty or stent insertion—to treat heart and blood vessel diseases without surgery. Or you might administer therapeutic doses of radiation to treat diseases such as cancer. 

With advanced education, you can also pursue a career as a radiologist assistant. In this role, you’ll ultimately learn to perform many procedures that a radiologist would otherwise do.

I’m interested, what are my next steps?

Begin by meeting with an Academic Advisor. They will work to create an academic plan for you to complete the prerequisites to apply for the program. For more information call 541-918-8907 or email HealthcarePrograms@linnbenton.edu.

Program Overview

The program lasts approximately 22 months. Applications open in January and the next cohort begins each Summer in late June. Detailed dates are provided in the program bulletin.

You spend your first 9 months in the classroom and lab learning the foundations of imaging. During your second year, you’ll learn in a hospital or clinical environment alongside imaging professionals serving patients directly. Courses included in the program can be found on the program map or in the catalog. 

Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to complete their certification exam with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. 

Employment Opportunities

Radiologic Technologists are in high demand given they also tend to support other imaging specialties like CT, MRI, Mammography, Sonography, etc. Once graduates complete their certification exam, they are eligible to work anywhere in the United States, Canada, and Australia. At this time it is an employee market with a projected growth in this field of at least 9-10% over the next year. There are job opportunities throughout the country. 

INDEED: 11 Reasons to Become a Radiologic Technologist

Estimated Program Costs

LBCC offers numerous scholarships and grant opportunities.

The estimated cost of our Diagnostic Imaging Program includes tuition, books, and additional costs associated with the program.

Program Costs*

First Year Tuition & Fees (estimate)

$13,555.32

Second Year Tuition & Fees (estimate)

$11,450.76

Total cost for both years

$25,006.08

*As of 2023-24 Academic Year

Advising Information

Begin by meeting with an Academic Advisor. They will work to create an academic plan for you to complete the prerequisites to apply for the program. For more information call 541-917-4923 or email HealthcarePrograms@linnbenton.edu.

Application Process

Entrance into our Diagnostic Imaging Program cohort requires that you complete our application process.

Our program has special admission requirements and enrollment limits, with class cohorts beginning each Summer. Please click on the following link and select the Diagnostic Imaging Bulletin as your guide through the admission process. Applications typically open in the first week of January and close fairly quickly. Again continue to check the bulletin for dates.

FAQs

What knowledge/skills/abilities are important in this career?

Adaptability/Flexibility/Social Perceptiveness: Basic understanding of age-related differences in caring for and/or communicating with patients and caregivers. Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to urgent situations that may arise with diverse patient populations, as well as adjust actions about others and adapt to offer the best possible care to patients. Possess sensitivity to the needs and experiences of others and a non-judgmental attitude towards persons of differing standards, values, lifestyles, and ages.

Communication/Medical Terminology: Effective written and oral communication skills to explain complex issues, exchange information between team members, and tactfully discuss issues. Knowledge of medical records, procedures, and terminology.

Confidentiality/Health Information Technology: Knowledge of and ability to comply with State and Federal (HIPAA) laws about the confidentiality of protected health information and how it applies to health information technology.

Customer Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Safety/Mechanical: Knowledge of safety practices and procedures, as well as knowledge of equipment and systems and the ability to promote safe and secure operations.

Stress Management/Problem Solving/Time Management: Ability to maintain patience and composure in high-stress/difficult situations. Ability to organize, plan, and prioritize work to be completed within required time frames and to follow up on pending issues. Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in dynamic fast-paced environments.

What will a typical workday look like?

Like other medical professionals, you’ll promote safety and provide the highest level of patient care as you complete your daily work. 

You’ll probably work in a hospital, physician’s office, outpatient care center, or laboratory. In most cases, you'll split your work between technological tasks and interactions with patients. 

Depending on the career you choose, you might see individual patients once or rarely (for example, if you take X-rays or mammograms). Or you might see them regularly (for example, if you administer radiation to cancer patients). In the first case, you’ll welcome people you haven’t met, quickly putting their concerns at ease. In the second, you’ll get to know your patients, addressing their fears and sharing their medical milestones during their treatment. 

No matter your specialty, you’ll be an important part of a medical team. Your work will help uncover health problems and could ultimately save lives. You’ll be active throughout your working hours, and no two days will be the same.

I’m interested in knowing more about ultrasound. What are our options?

We have a partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center UNMC dedicated to sonography (ultrasound). Our post-graduate pathways offer graduates an opportunity to learn sonography right here in Oregon. Once students graduate from our program and pass their boards, they can go on to learn ultrasound with the faculty at UNMC if accepted into their program. This pathway is unique in that students don't have to travel to Nebraska, they learn everything they need to know right here in Oregon. Our graduates spend a year with their team and when completed take their boards in sonography (ultrasound) and earn their bachelor's degree.

Computer screens showing diagnostic images
X-ray of a head
Diagnostic imaging classroom

Distance Education

LBCC offers a traditional, face-to-face instructional program, as well as a distance education program. Using a combination of clinical instruction, online courses within the college learning management system, and the synchronous virtual classroom environment, distance education students can receive dynamic instruction to help them achieve their learning goals, while remaining in the local community of one of our partner community colleges. Please note that students are required to meet admission criteria of the partner community college that offers the geographical residency.

Learn more about distance education in Diagnostic Imaging (Prezi).

Our Partner Colleges

  • Blue Mountain Community College
  • Clatsop Community College
  • Central Oregon Community College
  • Columbia Gorge Community College
  • Lane Community College – Florence Center 
  • Oregon Coast Community College
  • Southwestern Oregon Community College
  • Tillamook Bay Community College
  • Treasure Valley Community College


Job Shadows

Although job shadowing is not required for this program, the Diagnostic Imaging faculty strongly encourages students to attend a job shadow to make sure this field is a good fit. Contact the following sites to arrange a job shadow:

Program Stats

 

Department Faculty

Jennifer Clayton photo
Jennifer Clayton
Paula Merino photo
Paula Merino
Ashley Willner photo
Ashley Willner
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