Diagnostic Imaging

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. 

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

LBCC offers numerous scholarships and grant opportunities.

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Financial Aid

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

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, email HealthcarePrograms@linnbenton.edu.

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.

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.