PCC Radiologic Technologist Program Overview

• Program Identification

  • The Radiologic Technologist program is often abbreviated as Rad Tech or RT.

  • It is distinct and unrelated to the Anesthesia Technologist (AT) program; there is no correlation between the two fields of study despite sharing information sessions.

• Role and Responsibilities

  • Patient care is considered minimal to average.

  • Primary duties include greeting patients, directing patient positioning (standing or laying), and taking the required medical images.

  • Exclusions from Duties: Radiologic Technologists do not insert IVs, give injections, or carry out nursing treatment plans.

  • Equipment Operation: Technologists operate X-ray and CT machinery.

• Fields Not Covered by the Program

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This is a separate program not offered at this institution. Training typically occurs at private schools or in hospitals after one has worked as a Rad Tech for a period of time.

  • Sonography (Ultrasound): This is a separate field using different machinery. In Southern California, this program is offered at Cerritos College and Orange Coast College.

• Employment and Salary

  • Work Settings: Hospitals and outpatient settings that contain imaging centers.

  • Salary Data: According to O*NET (which utilizes data from the California EDD and Labor Market Bureau), the average salary in California is nearly six figures.

• Accreditation

  • The program is accredited by JR CERT (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology).

  • Prospective students are advised to verify that any program they apply to is JR CERT accredited via the jrassert.org website.

Program Structure and Costs

• Timeline and Duration

  • The program is a two-year commitment.

  • Admission is once per year, and the program only begins in the summer semester.

  • Year 1 Schedule: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.

  • Year 2 Schedule: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.

• Commitment Level

  • This is a full-time program. Students take over $12$ units during the Fall and Spring semesters.

  • Lectures and labs are held Monday through Friday in person.

  • Working is not recommended; if necessary, employment should be limited to no more than $15$ hours per week.

• Financial Breakdown

  • The total cost for the two-year program is approximately $7700$.

  • Comparison: Private schools may charge $50000$ or more for similar training.

  • Upfront Costs: Many expenses are due before the first day of class, including textbooks, equipment, health science immunizations, background checks, and uniforms. Financial aid disbursements often occur after these costs are incurred.

Clinical Training (Clinicals)

• Structure and Sites

  • Clinical training provides on-the-job training required for licensure exams.

  • Clinical hours are unpaid.

  • Sites include City of Hope, Huntington Hospital, and Verdugo Hills.

  • Year 1: Clinicals occur two days per week for eight hours per day.

  • Year 2: Clinicals increase to more than two days per week.

• Placement Policy

  • The program director assigns students to clinical sites; students do not choose their locations.

  • Students alternate sites rather than remaining at a single facility for the duration of the program.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

• General Eligibility

  • All prerequisite courses and general education (GE) requirements must be completed and graded on the transcript at the time of application.

  • Missing any GE or prerequisite courses renders an application ineligible.

• The Five Multi-Criteria Prerequisites

  • A minimum GPA of $2.5$ is required across these five classes, with no grade lower than a $C$.

  • Courses include:

    1. College-level Chemistry with lab: Accepts inorganic, bio, general, or intro chemistry. AP Chemistry scores of $3$ or higher satisfy this.

    2. Human Anatomy: Minimum functionality of $4$ units (at PCC, this is ANAT 025). Integrated Anatomy/Physiology sequences (Part 1 and Part 2) are accepted if both are completed.

    3. Human Physiology: Minimum of $4$ units (at PCC, this is PYSO 001).

    4. Medical Terminology: Minimum of $3$ semester units or $4.5$ quarter units (at PCC, this is HLSE 115, formerly listed under Medical Assisting).

    5. Intermediate Algebra or higher: College-level math is strongly recommended (Statistics, Calculus, Pre-calculus, or Quantitative Math). AP Statistics or Calculus scores of $3$ or higher satisfy this.

  • Note on AP Grading for GPA: A score of $3 = C$, $4 = B$, and $5 = A$.

• Policies on Repeats and Recency

  • Highest Grade: The program takes the highest grade earned in a course; repeats do not count against the applicant.

  • Recency: There is no expiration date for science or math courses. Courses taken five, ten, or more years ago are still accepted.

  • Format: Classes can be taken online, hybrid, or in person.

General Education (GE) Requirements

• Direct Requirements

  • Applicants must follow either the PCC Local GE pattern or the CalGetsy (California General Education Transfer Curriculum) pattern.

  • Local GE Pattern (approx. $5$ to $6$ classes): English, Speech (Area 1b), College-level Math, Arts/Humanities, Social/Behavioral Science, and Ethnic Studies.

  • CalGetsy Pattern (approx. $9$ classes): English, Critical Thinking (second English), Speech, College-level Math, Arts, Humanities, two Social Sciences, and Ethnic Studies.

• Exceptions for Degree Holders

  • Associate Degree Holders: If an Associate's degree (in any subject) is already posted on the transcript from an institutionally accredited U.S. college, the GE requirements are waived for application purposes. Only the five core prerequisites are evaluated.

  • Bachelor Degree Holders: Students with a U.S. Bachelor's degree only need to complete the five core prerequisites. They are automatically granted an Associate in Radiologic Technology upon program completion.

Application and Selection Process

• Application Window

  • The application typically opens in November, but students should check the website starting in October in case the date is moved up.

  • The application cycle occurs only once per year.

• Required Documentation

  • PCC ID Number (must apply to the college first; this is free).

  • Official Transcripts: Students must order official transcripts to themselves, scan them, and upload them as PDFs to the application. High school transcripts are not required.

  • AP Score Reports: If applicable.

  • Veterans: Must provide DD214 (and marriage license if applying as a spouse).

• Selection Criteria

  • Total Applicants: Approximately $180$ people apply annually.

  • Seats Available: $25$ per year.

  • Current Selection Method:

    1. Honorably discharged veterans and their spouses receive automatic entry if all requirements are met.

    2. Remaining spots are filled via a random lottery selection.

  • Potential Changes: The program director is moving toward a point-based system (looking at TEAS tests, observation hours, and higher GPAs), but this change is unlikely to take effect before the November cycle.

• Waitlist Policy

  • There is no permanent waitlist. An alternate list is created each year, but if an alternate is not called, they must reapply the following year.

Advising and Support

• Appointment Types

  • PCC Students: Can schedule $45$-minute appointments with a Health Science counselor or join $15$-minute drop-in sessions.

  • Non-PCC Students: Must use drop-in counseling or Online Counseling.

• Online Counseling

  • Best for students with transcripts from other colleges. Students submit a form with an unofficial transcript, and a counselor provides a checklist confirming if requirements are met.

• Accessibility

  • Accommodations for the program are administered through the Lancer Accessibility Resource Center.