Program Information

Mission of program:

The mission of the Radiologic Technology program is to prepare qualified medical imaging practitioners, who will support the highest level of ethical care, while employing competent technical practices.   A commitment to professional growth and life-long learning will be developed.

Program Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Program Goals:

1. Students will be clinically competent and ready to begin a successful career in the Radiologic Sciences.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors. 
3. Students will exhibit the communication skills necessary to effectively perform the duties of a Radiographer in a variety of health care environments.
4. Students will demonstrate independent critical thinking skills to solve clinical practice related problems to optimize diagnostic outcomes.  

Required program prerequisites:

• Allied Health A010: Health Occupations ( on OCC Campus only)
• Allied Health A111: Medical Terminology
• Biology A221: Human Anatomy & Physiology
• RADT A100: Radiologic Physics ( on OCC Campus only)
• Math and General Education Requirements (#3 and 4 Option #1 in the College Catalog) for the Associate of Science degree, approximately 18 units

Catalog Description of Program

Associate of Science Degree and program graduation

All students must meet OCC Associate of Science Requirements even though they may have degrees from other institutions.   Students should have official transcripts evaluated and should contact the OCC Counseling office to meet with a counselor to assure all requirements have been met or transfer.   Catalog Description

Upon successful program completion, the graduate is eligible to apply for the California State CRT Examination, California Fluoroscopy Permit Examination, and the ARRT examination.

Does this program transfer?

The Radiologic Technology Program currently maintains a matriculation agreement with California State University Northridge’s Radiologic Technology Program.    Students have also been successful in continuing their radiology education at Loma Linda University’s advanced imaging options.

At this time, our program does not accept transfer students with advanced standing.  All applicants are subject to the same admissions process. 

Program cost:

The Radiologic Technology program costs approximately $5,600 total over the two year program. This includes tuition (California residents), lab fees, required textbooks, and uniforms for clinical experience.   Students must also provide transportation to their assigned clinical facility.

Procedure for program admittance:

All students must complete the course Allied Health A010 – Health Occupations to apply to the program.  Upon completion of this course along with your submitted ALH 010 Program Application you will then be placed of the interest list for the Radiologic Technology program. Note: being placed on the interest list does not mean you have been accepted to the program.

1. You will be required to submit official sealed transcripts from other colleges attended as part of Allied Health A010, so you should start getting those copies.
2. Complete or transfer classes to meet the General Education requirements for the Associate of Science Degree. The Associate of Science Degree information is listed in the College Catalog and College Class Schedule. Radiology Technology Program Degree Requirements
3. Complete or transfer the specific program prerequisite classes. There are three-year time limits on the following science prerequisite classes. ALH A111, BIO A221, and RAD A100.  
4. It is imperative to complete English A100 Freshman Composition and meet the Math requirment for the A.S. degree as soon as possible.
5. Students are only admitted to the program by successful completion of all general education courses, all program  prerequisite courses,  and obtaining a program ready date. The program ready date is only given to the student by the Allied Health Counselor, after the student has successfully completed all degree and program prerequisite requirements.
6. Acceptance to the program is only offered once per year. All students must be program ready (obtained their program ready date) by February 25 , to be reviewed for possible acceptance into the program. Students are admitted to the program by program ready date order.
7. Please review the School of Allied Health Professions Manual , pages 6-10 for additional details on admittance policies and procedures.

Program start:

The program starts in the fall semester of each school year. Employment possibilities upon program completion. Hospitals, private medical offices, clinics, imaging centers, teaching, or sales of medical equipment.

Salary:

Beginning $72,000 - $93,000 annually.  $35 - $45/hour.  Chief technologists: $110,000 - $140,000/year

Length of program

Four semesters, one summer and two intersessions (4 weeks during the 1 ^st  year and 2 ^nd  year between fall and spring)  Total of 22 months.

Spaces available: 

28

Background checks:

All students will be required to submit an application for pre-clinical background/drug screen check. The background check will include Fingerprints - LIVESCAN, County Criminal Records (past 7 years), Residency History Search, Social Security Alert, Nationwide Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Registry (OIG/GSA), Nationwide Sexual Offender Registry and a California DMV report. The drug screening will include THC, cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methaqualone, propoxyphene and methadone. If requested by the clinical site, the results of the background/drug checks must be provided to them by the student.

Criminal convictions

If you have been convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation, you are required to state this on your registry examination application.   This may affect your eligibility to take the examination or obtain licensure.  Evaluation of the national registry requirements can be accomplished prior to program entry.  The program strongly encourages prospective applicants to complete this process before starting program. Contact ARRT for details.

Drug and alcohol policy

The Radiologic Technology program adheres to the Coast Community College District policy with regards to alcohol and drugs.  The Radiologic Technology program is committed to a drug-free campus so that students and staff can work in a drug-free environment.   Please see the OCC college catalog for Student Code of Conduct.

Clinical requirements

The program requires that students participate in scheduled course clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory courses at OCC contracted hospitals, medical centers, and/or outpatient facilities.  It is the responsibility of each student to provide his or her own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Just prior to entry into clinical, students are required to complete/obtain:

• A physical examination
• Criminal background: Criminal/fingerprints/drug screen check clearance
• CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training provided through Al H 115
• Student liability insurance
• Proof of COVID Vaccination and required  Immunizations,

Students must adhere to a required dress code and other clinical lab course specific requirements. 

Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work.  There may be exposure to hazardous materials and infectious pathogens in the clinical setting.   Students will adhere to all safety and standard precautionary measures.  The student receives no financial compensation for clinical experience, but does receive course units as a required class in the program.

The program requires the student to participate in clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments will be arranged by the Radiologic Technology faculty.   Clinical requirement is as follows:   First year: Fall semester – 16 hours per week in intersession – 32 hours each week in spring semester – 24 hours each week ; summer – 32 hour a week for 8 weeks.   Second year:  Fall semester – 24  hours each week; intersession – 16 hours each week for 4 weeks;  spring semester – 24 hours each week .   Clinical experience will include evening up until 9:00 pm and/or weekend assignments.   Total clinical experience is approximately 1,850 hours.

Employment Prospects:

Graduates are employable in a variety of professional settings; hospitals, imaging centers, private medical offices, clinics, teaching, management, or sales of medical equipment. 

Accreditation of Program:

Fully accredited by the California Radiologic Health Branch and the Joint Review Committee on Education (JRCERT) in Radiologic Technology.

Orange Coast College Accreditation:

Orange Coast College is accredited by the  Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior College, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 10 Commercial Blvd., Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949; (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions.   Visit accjc.org

Post-program requirements:

 To obtain employment within California, the following is required:

1. National ARRT Certification; an examination given by the American Registry of   Radiologic Technologists.
2. Certified Radiologic Technologist License (CRT) issued by the California Radiologic Health Branch (CRHB) upon successful passing of the ARRT examination.
3. Fluoroscopy Permit; is issued by the California Radiologic Health Branch (CRHB) upon successful passing of the ARRT examination. 

To be eligible for the above requirements, the student must complete all Radiologic Technology program courses with a grade of 'C' or better and all course requirements fro the Associate of Science Degree as required by Orange Coast College.  All requirements must be completed to graduate from the program. All core classes must be completed within the program two-year time frame.

Orange Coast College also offers Cardiovascular Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography medical imaging programs, and Certificates in Computed Tomography (CT), Imaging Assistant, and Mammography.