X-ray Technician / Medical Assistant Program

X-RAY PROGRAM DETAILS

X-ray Tech Course Length:

Total Clock Hours – 1155, 44-48 weeks (12 mo.) ~ 58 quarter credit hours

X-ray Technician Program Starts:
X-Ray Technician Classes Start Every Other Month in Orange County; Day & Evening Classes Available

Tuition & Fees: $20,367.38

The X-ray Technician Program: The X-Ray Tech Program includes Medical Assistant Back Office, which sets the foundation in medical terminology, medical law & ethics, anatomy & physiology, back office procedures, first aid, and BLS/CPR. The x-ray portion of the program covers principles radiography, x-ray positioning in the categories of Chest, Extremity & Torso skeletal, x-ray physics, radiation protection & radio-biology, digital procedures and technical factors.

Internship training is provided for the X-Ray Technician / Medical Assistant students in Fountain Valley, Anaheim, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Orange County, Los Angeles County and all of Southern California.

Educational Goals & Objectives of the X-ray Technician Course:
To provide students with didactic, laboratory and clinical training needed to meet entry level positions as an X-Ray Technician/Medical Assistant with the ability to perform Chest, Extremity and Torso-skeletal X-Ray procedures. plus a variety of Medical Assistant/Back Office procedures. Graduates will be able to provide ethical patient care, aquire crtical thinking skills, & will become clinically competent and ready to begin a sucessful career in x-ray.

Post-graduate California State X-ray Tech Examination:
Graduates of the x-ray program are eligible to take the California State X-Ray Technician Examination, in the appropriate training categories. The examination can be scheduled at multiple testing centers throughout California after graduation.

Medical Assistant Certification:
The student is eligible to sit for the National Certification Medical Assistant (NCMA) Examination, after completion of didactic, laboratory training. Completion of entire program including clinical internship is required by the National Center for Competency Testing-NCCT, before taking the NCMA exam.

Employment Opportunities:
Once the graduate passes the California State Limited Permit X-Ray Technician Examination they can pursue a responsible entry-level position as a member of the health-care team in a physician’s office, imaging center, industrial medicine clinic, chiropractic office, orthopedic office, urgent care center or hospital. Jobs are available in private practice, industry and government service.

X-RAY PROGRAM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

DOT Code: 079362-010 CIP Code: 51.0911 SOC/OC/CA Code: 29-2037

MA 101 ORIENTATION; INTRO TO MATH; VITAL SIGNS; PRINCIPLES OF SURGERY & SURGICAL ASEPSIS Credit Hours – 5.00
This course provides the student with the understanding of the learning process and refreshes the student’s basic mathematical skills. It further expands into basic medical terminology; medical law and ethics; interpersonal communication; fundamental body structures; body mechanics; sterilization; and minor surgery.

MA 102 URINALYSIS; GASTROINTESTINAL & ENDOCRINE & MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM; HEMATOLOGY; INJECTIONS Credit Hours – 5.00
This course provides understanding and training in urinary systems; reproductive. systems; blood borne pathogens; hematology; venipuncture; specimen collection; digestive system and hands-on training in administering injections.

MA 103 SENSORY & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS; CPR & FINALS Credit Hours – 5.00
Operation of the electrocardiograph. It provides an understanding in sensory systems; visual acuity ear lavage; respiratory system; cardiovascular systems and PFT. The course further prepares each student in the basic fundamentals of first aid, CPR certification; and electrocardiography.

XR 201 X-RAY TECHNOLOGY Credit Hours – 5.00
This course consists of the X-ray technological aspect of the program. The handling of radiographic equipment and formulation of X-ray exposure factors are covered. Included in this section are composition and use of X-ray film and intensifying screens, the darkroom and film processing. X-Ray exposures and their varying effects on film are performed by the students on radiographic phantom body parts. The students are taught how to critique finished radiographic films.

XR 202 CHEST RADIOGRAPHY Credit Hours – 1.00
This course covers the anatomy of the bony thorax and respiratory system. Detailed positioning skills of the chest are taught utilizing the X-ray tables and tubes, with students simulating patient and technician roles/functions.

XR 203 EXTREMITY RADIOGRAPHY Credit Hours – 4.50
This is a detailed course covering the anatomy of the appendicular skeleton, to include the shoulder girdle and hips. Detailed radiographic positioning skills are given utilizing the X-ray tables and tubes, with students simulating patient and technician roles/functions.

XR 204 TORSO-SKELETAL RADIOGRAPHY Credit Hours – 4.50
This course provides the student with a detailed, comprehensive study of the anatomy of the spine. Also included in this section is a comprehensive study of the anatomy of the bony thorax, shoulder girdle, pelvis and hips. Detailed positioning skills of these anatomical regions are also covered utilizing the X-ray tables and tubes, with students simulating the patient and technician roles/functions.

XR 301 DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY Credit Hours – 1.00
This course introduces the student to the basics of digital radiography. It will prepare them for the use and function of a typical digital unit seen in a doctor’s office. Lessons include the comparison of various units used and the different components of a computer system including a PACS system.

XR 302 RADIOLOGICAL PHYSICS Credit Hours – 1.00
This course introduces the student to the basics of physics and its relationship to the production of X-Rays. Also included is the function and components of the X-ray tube and its associated electrical circuitry, based on electromagnetism.

XR 303 X-RAY MEDICAL PROCEDURES Credit Hours – 1.00
This course covers gross human anatomy, basic patient care procedures and medical terminology as related to X-ray technology.

This course begins the student’s medical assistant-back office clinical commitment and the 350 X-ray procedure (50 chest, 50 upper & 50 lower extremities and 200 torso-skeletal) X-ray clinical commitment performed under the supervision of a State-approved licentiate.

XR 304 CLINICAL APPLICATION SKILLS I Credit Hours – 9.00
This course starts the student’s medical assistant-back office clinical commitment and the 350 X-ray procedure (50 chest, 50 upper & 50 lower extremities and 200 torso-skeletal) X-Ray clinical commitment performed under the supervision of a State-approved licentiate.

XR 401 RADIOBIOLOGY & RADIATION PROTECTION Credit Hours – 4.50
This course covers the interactions of radiation with matter and the effects of X-rays and radiation in general on living tissue. The importance of radiation protection is discussed with particular emphasis on operator protection. The students perform X-ray exposure labs designed to demonstrate methods of reducing occupational worker exposure. Also included in this section is the method of reducing unnecessary patient X-ray exposure. The students perform X-ray exposure labs designed to demonstrate how to reduce patient exposure. The laws and regulations governing the utilization of X-Ray equipment are also covered.

XR 402 CLINICAL APPLICATION SKILLS II Credit Hours – 10.50
This course completes the student’s medical assistant-back office clinical commitment and the 350 X-ray procedure (50 chest, 50 upper & 50 lower extremities and 200 torso-skeletal) X-ray clinical commitment performed under the supervision of a State-approved licentiate.

XR 403 X-RAY REVIEW & EXAM PREPARATION Credit Hours – 1.00
This course is designed to assist the student in reviewing all of the X-ray course material in preparation for the final examinations and the State of California Limited Permit X-ray Certification Examinations.