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Student working with an x-ray machine

Radiologic Technologists (Radiographers) provide images (x-rays) of tissues, organs, bones, and blood vessels using a variety of equipment. The Oregon Employment Department estimates that nearly 70 radiography positions open in the Portland metropolitan area each year.

Why choose Radiography at PCC?

Salary

The average annual salary is $86,070.

We offer comprehensive, rigorous training in all aspects of radiography, enabling you to obtain the skills you need for an entry-level radiography job.

Radiography program effectiveness

Upon completion of PCC’s Radiography program, you will possess the skills and training required to meet national standards, allowing you to gain a competitive edge in the field.

  • 98% of our graduates who took the certification exam since 2019 passed the test.
  • 100% of our graduates since 2019 found a radiography job within 12 months.

For more information on our five-year average credentialing exam pass rate, job placement after graduation, and program completion rate, please see the PCC Radiography program effectiveness data document and visit the JRCERT page explaining program effectiveness data in general.

Radiography accreditation

The Portland Community College Radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Contact information for JRCERT is as follows:

20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org

The program’s current accreditation award is 5 years. This accreditation demonstrates that the program is committed to academic excellence, health care quality and patient and professional safety. JRCERT accreditation confirms that the program adheres to the national educational standards that have been accepted by the profession. For more information, please see the JRCERT general program accreditation page for the PCC Radiography program and the current accreditation award letter. View JRCERT’s standards for accredited programs.

Degrees and certificates

Degrees and certificates by number of terms to complete
Award Length (attending full-time) Financial aid eligible Currently accepting students?
Associate Degree: Radiography2 yearsLimited entry, see how to get into this program

Locations

PCC also offers programs in MRI Technology.

What will you learn?

More information

Some of the knowledge and skills you will learn include:

  • Medical ethics
  • Radiation protection
  • Technical equipment operation
  • Positioning techniques
  • Advanced procedures

What will you do?

Radiography is a “people” profession, working with patients and other healthcare professionals employed in hospitals and clinics.

The radiographer’s primary responsibilities include:

  • Positioning the patient to image anatomy in the correct perspective
  • Operating highly technical imaging equipment
  • Selecting proper exposure factor
  • Limiting the amount of radiation exposure to patient and personnel
  • Touch, lift, and support patients while in the radiology department
  • Provide emotional support to the patient and must be empathetic and compassionate
  • Strong writing, verbal communication, and teamwork skills are also needed

With additional training and education, a radiographer may advance by specializing in related disciplines, such as Computed Tomography, Vascular Interventional Imaging, Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Bone Densitometry. Learn more about employment opportunities.

Next steps

See how to get into this program.Get started now

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