Chaffey College Radiologic Technology Program

Radiologic Technology

XRAY View

The Chaffey College Radiologic Technology Program is ranked in the top 10 programs in the US with almost 700 programs nationwide. 98% of our graduates pass the national certification exam on a regular basis. Chaffey students routinely score 7 to 9 percentage points higher than the national average.

The Program

The Radiologic Technology Program leads to an Associate in Science degree. Training includes operation of X-ray equipment, exposing and processing images, utilizing radiation protection devices, positioning patients, and patient care. Concurrent clinical training is held in hospitals affiliated with Chaffey College. The Radiologic Technology Program is accredited by the State of California and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the State of California (CRT) Fluoroscopy examination. The program articulates with the California State University Northridge Radiologic Technology Program for the bachelor’s degree.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may stay on as a staff radiographer or continue their education to go into one of the many specialty areas of radiography. These include heart catheterization, CT, MRI; ultrasound; nuclear medicine; therapy; commercial sales; equipment repair; radiation health physics, education, or administration. Currently there is a critical need for radiographers.

Certificates Earned

Students must earn the Associate in Science degree to sit for the national certification exam. The program provides the majority of units to prepare students for the exam.

Associate in Science Degree

Radiologic Technology Certificate

Upon satisfactory completion of the associate degree requirements and the classroom and clinical education, the student is eligible to apply for the following examinations:

1) American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

2) State of California Radiologic Technologist Fluoroscopy Permit

After successfully completing the ARRT examination and submitting proper documentation and fees, the graduate will receive the California State license (CRT).

Program Details

The RT Program is two (2) years in length and includes concurrent clinical education in facilities affiliated with Chaffey College. Clinical education includes the operation of X-ray equipment, exposing and processing of the image receptor, applying protective shields, positioning of patients and patient care.

Emphasis during the first year is placed on the theory and science of X-ray with experiments and practice using on-campus, live X-ray equipment. During this first year, the student learns basic positioning of skeletal anatomy. Practice positioning laboratories are used to prepare the student to perform routine X-ray procedures on a phantom patient before performing such procedures on patients in the clinical education setting (CES).

During the summer between school years, the student is assigned 4 days per week to a clinical education setting for concentrated clinical training and attends classes on campus one (1) day per week.

In the second year, the student advances to Cranial radiography, Special Procedures, and Radiographic Pathology, in classes on campus, while concurrently assigned to the CES for a specified number of days.

In the final months of the second year, the student is assigned to the CES four (4) days per week for advanced clinical education and attends class on campus one (1) day per week. Clinical proficiency is evaluated during all clinical education.