Radiography Program

Radiography | Los Angeles, OC & Ontario, CA

Discover a career that helps people. As the population grows older, there will be an increase in medical conditions, such as breaks and fractures caused by osteoporosis, which can require imaging to diagnose them.

More Radiologic Technologists will be needed to maintain and use the diagnostic equipment. The Radiography program at American Career College can help you start a career as a certified radiologic technologist.

This program is taught in a blended format combining online classes and in-person instruction.

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Overview
Careers After I Graduate
What Will I Learn?
What Will I Be Trained To Do?
FAQs

Radiography Program Overview

Radiography is a dynamic discipline that requires growth, personally and professionally, to better prepare for future needs of the profession. These needs may vary in many ways, dependent on the environment where one is employed, and across the profession as it changes.

The profession of radiology is guided by the ASRT and ARRT Code of Ethics. It is the expectation of the College that each of our school's graduates, following successful completion of the certification and registration exam, will work within legal and ethical boundaries. This responsibility requires dedication to applying standards that are outlined within the Code of Ethics for the Radiologic Technologist.

The Radiography program provides the requisite knowledge and skills to pursue a career as an entry level Radiologic Technologist.

The Radiography (Associate of Occupational Science) program at the American Career College Ontario campus is approved by the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB).

Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch
1500 Capitol Avenue, 5th Floor, MS 7610
Sacramento, CA 95814-5006
Phone: 916-327-5106 / Fax: 916-440-7999 / www.cdph.ca.gov

Careers After I Graduate

Radiologic Technologists work in a variety of healthcare facilities from hospitals to outpatient care. Radiologic Technologists help physicians and other health care professionals by preparing patients for examinations and performing diagnostic imaging examinations, such as X-rays, on patients.

The industries that employed the most radiologic technologists in a recent review were¹:

General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private
Offices of physicians
Medical and diagnostic laboratories
Outpatient care centers

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiologic and MRI Technologists

What Will I Learn?

This Radiography program is designed to provide learning experiences that prepare our school's students for competent performance as a radiologic technologist. These include, but are not limited to: lecture, interactive and self-discovery activities, problem-based case presentations, small group discussions, mentoring, tactile/kinesthetic activities provided through laboratory experiences and clinical practicums.

What courses make up the Radiography program?

General Education Courses:

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Classes & Lab
Written Communications I
College Mathematics I
Introduction to Psychology

Core Radiography and Other Courses:

Introduction to Radiologic Sciences
Medical Terminology
Radiographic Physics
Principles of Image Production
Patient Care
Radiographic Positioning I
Principles of Radiation and Radiation Biology
Radiation Protection
Clinical Practicum I
Radiographic Positioning II
Digital Imaging
Clinical Practicum II
Law and Ethics in Imaging
Radiographic Positioning III
Clinical Practicum III
Clinical Practicum IV
Introduction to Computed Tomography
Clinical Practicum V
Cross-Sectional Anatomy
Pharmacology/Venipuncture
Clinical Practicum VI
Career Advantage
Radiology Seminar

American Career College Provides comprehensive academic and clinical preparation for each student to have a successful result on the ARRT certification and registration exam.

Our school's goal is to graduate professionals that enthusiastically display leadership responsibilities while providing competent care. We accomplish this by:

Providing access to activities that foster community awareness while responding to the needs of the community.
Ensuring that the standards required for accreditation for the College and the program is maintained.
Supporting the community of radiologic technologists and health care professionals by providing opportunities for professional development.

Classes Equipment List

Cassettes for digital unit
CR digital reader
Densitometer
Lead aprons
Lead gloves
Lead mats
Mini C-arm unit
Mobile shields
Patient shields
Penetrometer
Phantoms: torso, chest, hand, elbow, foot, knee
Portable radiography unit
Sandbags
Sensitometer
Sponges
Thyroid shields
X-Ray unit: console, table with float top, tube/collimator, wall unit

What Will I Do as a Radiologic Technologist?

Radiologic Technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as X-rays, on patients.

Radiologic Technologists typically perform the following tasks:¹

Adjust and maintain imaging equipment
Precisely follow orders from physicians on what areas of the body to image
Prepare patients for procedures, including taking a medical history and answering questions about the procedure
Protect the patient by shielding exposed areas that do not need to be imaged
Position the patient and the equipment in order to get the correct image
Operate the computerized equipment to take the images
Keep detailed patient records

Health care professionals use many types of equipment to diagnose patients. Radiologic Technologists specialize in X-ray, and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Some radiologic technologists prepare a mixture for the patient to drink that allows soft tissue to be viewed on the images that the radiologist reviews. Radiologic technologists might also specialize in mammography. Mammographers use low-dose X-ray systems to produce images of the breast. Technologists may be certified in multiple specialties.

¹California Employment Development Department OCC Guide, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in California

FAQs

Radiography Program Overview

ACC’s Radiography Program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in radiographic techniques, patient care and medical imaging technology. The curriculum is continuously updated to align with the latest advancements in radiology, ensuring that students are prepared to meet the demands of modern healthcare settings.

The goal of radiologic technologist school is to graduate professionals that enthusiastically display leadership responsibilities while providing competent care. ACC accomplishes this by:

Providing access to activities that foster community awareness while responding to the needs of the community
Ensuring that the standards required for accreditation for the College and the program are maintained
Supporting the community of radiologic technologists and healthcare professionals by providing opportunities for professional development

ACC helps program graduates earn their radiography associate degree and get ready to provide compassionate patient care.

What does a radiologic technologist do?

Radiologic technologists are responsible for maintaining and operating the equipment that takes effective x-rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations. They work hands-on with patients to ensure that their doctors see what they need to see.

Here are some things a radiologic technologist does:

Prepare patients for examinations
Explain procedures and positions
Ensure that areas not being X-rayed are covered with protective shields
Perform X-rays
Operate, adjust, and maintain equipment¹

¹California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in California

Am I a good fit for the Radiography program?

If you love working with technical equipment and enjoy working directly with people, our Radiography program might be right for you.

Here are some of the top skills and attributes that make for a great radiologic technologist:

Active listening – A good radiologic technologist listens to their patients and understands their needs and concerns.

Communication – Because radiologic technologists work directly with patients, they must be able to communicate effectively with them, explaining the postures and procedures used during imaging.

Operations monitoring – Radiologic technologists should be able to monitor any relevant machinery, including watching gauges, dials or other indicators.

Customer and personal service – Radiologic technologists work directly with patients. Having good customer and personal service skills helps them provide better care.

Service orientation – A great radiologic technologist has a passion for helping patients and for providing the best care possible.

Where do radiologic technologists work?

Radiologic technologists can work in a variety of settings, including:

Hospitals
Medical clinics
Medical laboratories¹

¹California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in California

What will I learn in the Radiologic Technologist program?

ACC's Radiography program is designed to provide learning experiences that prepare our school's students for competent performance as a radiologic technologist. These include, but are not limited to: lecture, interactive and self-discovery activities, problem-based case presentations, small group discussions, mentoring, tactile/kinesthetic activities provided through laboratory experiences and clinical practicums.

What courses make up the Radiography program?

General Education Courses:

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Classes & Lab

Written Communications I

College Mathematics I

Introduction to Psychology

Core Radiography and Other Courses:

Introduction to Radiologic Sciences

Medical Terminology

Radiographic Physics

Principles of Image Production

Patient Care

Radiographic Positioning I

Principles of Radiation and Radiation Biology

Radiation Protection

Clinical Practicum I

Radiographic Positioning II

Digital Imaging

Clinical Practicum II

Law and Ethics in Imaging

Radiographic Positioning III

Clinical Practicum III

Clinical Practicum IV

Introduction to Computed Tomography

Clinical Practicum V

Cross-Sectional Anatomy

Pharmacology/Venipuncture

Clinical Practicum VI

Career Advantage

Radiology Seminar

American Career College provides comprehensive academic and clinical preparation for each student to have a successful result on the ARRT certification and registration exam.

For a complete description of coursework in these modules, please refer to the ACC Catalog.

How long is the Radiography program?

Students can earn their radiography associate degree in as little as 25 months.

How much does the Radiography program cost?

Our admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the radiography school cost and help you explore financial aid options.

To learn more about ACC’s Radiography program cost, access our tuition info.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Will I get real-world radiography training?

Yes! ACC's Radiography program includes over 1,800 hours of clinicals which gives students the opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired learning hands-on throughout the training program.

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