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Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Oregon

    The colleges and universities in Oregon offer numerous options for earning a degree or certificate in radiologic technology, whether you are interested in general radiologic technology or specialized practice areas like computed tomography (CT) or radiation therapy. This overview of radiologic technologist and technician schools in Oregon provides key information on your options so that you can make the right choice. You may also find that online radiologic technologist schools are a good choice based on your interest areas and scheduling needs. Read about the difference between radiologic technologists and radiology technicians. Learn more about radiologic technologist schools in Oregon below, where you will find a table of rad tech programs, profiles of select programs, and career projections for radiologic techs.

    Quick Facts

    • There are 4 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Oregon.1
    • 2 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.1
    • 2 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.1
    • 2 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.1
    • No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.1
    • 2 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).2
    • 1 school has a medical imaging program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).3
    • No schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).4

    Oregon Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

    We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in Oregon on a variety of factors. You should check with the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging (OBMI) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

    School NameAssociate’s Imaging ProgramBachelor’s Imaging ProgramGraduate Imaging ProgramNational AccreditationCompletion Rate2Credential Exam Pass Rate2Job Placement Rate2Net Price1
    Linn-Benton Community CollegeYes$11,564
    Oregon Health & Science UniversityYesJRCERT86%100%100%N.Av.
    Oregon Institute of TechnologyYesCAAHEP$17,283
    Portland Community CollegeYesJRCERT94%99%100%$10,166

    • — indicates none.
    • N.Av. indicates no data available.

    Select Schools in Oregon with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

    Linn-Benton Community College

    At Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) in Albany, Oregon, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Diagnostic Imaging. The 22-month program prepares students to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam and begin careers as imaging professionals. Admission requires the completion of prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher. Once admitted, students attend class and clinical training for a full 40 hours per week for the duration of the program. The curriculum includes classes such as Radiographic Procedure: Fluoroscopy, Comprehensive Patient Care, Pharmacology for Imaging, Radiographic Pathology, and Basic Principles in Computed Tomography. LBCC also offers a distance learning option for students enrolled at affiliated Oregon community colleges. Distance learning students will be required to make several trips to the LBCC campus during the course of the program. Diagnostic Imaging students are highly encouraged to meet with an academic planning advisor to create an individualized plan of study.

    Oregon Health and Science University

    The Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiation Therapy as a two-year completion program for transfer students or students with a previous degree who are seeking to enter the field. Applicants to the program will need to complete all prerequisite coursework at another institution before applying to OHSU. An associate degree from a JRCERT-accredited program should include most of the necessary prerequisite classes. Admitted students split their time between clinical rotations and didactic classes. On-campus courses include subjects such as radiation oncology, dosimetry, and pathophysiology. Clinical rotations will be performed at one of OHSU’s 22 affiliated medical facilities. Applicants to the program must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in the prerequisite courses and 30 hours of observation in a radiation therapy department. OHSU admits a maximum of nine students per year into the program. Graduates of the program will meet the requirements to sit for the ARRT certification exam in radiation therapy.

    Oregon Institute of Technology

    Students at the Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Science. Coursework includes classroom, lab, and clinical study. The first three years of the program are dedicated to on-campus study, with courses such as Patient Care, Cross-Sectional Anatomy, and Essentials of Pathophysiology. During the final year of the program, students participate in an 11-month, full-time clinical rotation (externship). Admission to the BS in Radiologic Science program is limited to approximately 48 students per year. Applicants must complete the entirety of the Pre-Medical Imaging curriculum during their freshman year with a minimum GPA of 2.95. Oregon Tech also offers BS programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Echocardiography, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technology, and Vascular Technology.

    Portland Community College

    Portland Community College’s (PCC) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiography is a JRCERT-accredited, two-year program that begins in the summer term and includes on-campus classroom learning and clinical education in affiliated Portland-area hospitals and medical facilities. Coursework in the radiography curriculum includes Radiographic Positioning I-V, Methods of Patient Care, Radiographic Equipment I & II, Principles of Exposure I & II, Radiographic Image Production, Applied Radiography Topics, and Survey of Medical Imaging Diseases. Classes are held on weekdays with occasional evening shifts during clinical rotations. Before applying to the program, students must complete prerequisite courses in math, biology, English, and medical terminology. At most, 38 students are admitted into the program each year. For students interested in additional education after earning the AAS, PCC also offers specialized certificate programs in Computed Tomography (CT) and MRI.

    How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Oregon

    Radiologic technologists in Oregon must be licensed to practice by the OBMI. The OBMI requires applicants for licensure to become certified by a credentialing organization recognized in their modality. For rad techs, ARRT certification is required to apply for a license. Rad techs seeking ARRT certification and licensure in Oregon must complete the following steps:

    1. Complete an educational program in a specific modality. The ARRT requires that candidates for certification complete a minimum of an associate’s degree and a program of study in a chosen modality. These qualifications may be met by the same program or separate programs.
    2. Pass the certification exam. To obtain certification by the ARRT, candidates who have met the education requirements must sit for the ARRT certification exam. A score of 75 or higher is required to pass the exam.
    3. Apply for a license. ARRT certified candidates must submit an application and licensing fee to the OBMI and submit to a fingerprint background check. Once the background check is complete and the application is processed, the OBMI will grant a license to practice.
    4. Meet the license renewal requirements. Licenses must be renewed every two years. The OBMI recognizes continued certification by the ARRT as meeting the requirements for continuing education and renewal. The ARRT requires certificates to be renewed annually, along with 24 hours of continuing education every two years.

    Oregon also recognizes limited scope x-ray technician practice with the Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Permit. Prospective LXMOs must pass an approved education program in limited scope radiography, which includes applying for a temporary LXMO permit in order to complete the required clinical experience. As part of the temporary LXMO permit application process, candidates must register for and pass the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam. Once education, exam, and experience requirements are met, candidates may apply to upgrade to a permanent LXMO permit, which then must be renewed every two years.

    Oregon Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

    Projected Job Growth

    11.3%

    Radiology Techs in Oregon from 2020-20305

    Radiologic technologist and technician employment in Oregon is projected to increase by 11.3% through 2030.5 This is above the national job growth projection of 8.6% for rad techs over the same period.5 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2022, approximately 2,170 radiologic technologists and technicians were working in the state of Oregon, earning an average annual wage of $84,540.6 The BLS does not track occupational data for limited scope x-ray technicians. However, limited scope technicians typically earn less than fully-licensed radiologic technicians due to the lower educational requirements and work responsibilities. Hospitals in Oregon that hire radiologic technologists include Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, and Salem Health Salem Hospital. Radiologic technology graduates may also find employment opportunities at private imaging centers, orthopedic practices, cancer centers, and smaller clinics throughout the state.

    Oregon Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

    CityNumber Employed7Average Annual Salary7
    Bend-Redmond110$76,530
    Eugene180$80,150
    Medford160$78,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro1,270$87,170
    Salem190$84,270

    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
    2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Program Effectiveness Data: https://www.jrcert.org/program-effectiveness-data/
    3. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx
    4. Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: https://www.jrcnmt.org/programs/
    5. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
    6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm
    7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm