Health Degree Programs
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Current Health Programs at Oregon Tech
The Department of Medical Imaging Technology offers bachelor's degrees in five professional programs, encompassing the full spectrum of imaging science. Each program prepares students for immediate employment and for successfully passing the national and state registry examinations. There are five professional programs:
- Radiologic Science program has been in existence at Oregon Tech for more than 50 years. The current program equips future Radiologic Technologists with a wide variety of skills, including radiography, fluoroscopy, mobile and surgical radiography, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography, Cardiovascular Interventional Technology (CIT), Quality Assurance, and imaging department management.
- Nuclear Medicine Technology is an imaging science that demonstrates pathology through physiologic processes, as opposed to detailed anatomic images. This branch of imaging science has been in existence for more than four decades and provides unique diagnostic information obtained by the patients ingestion, inhalation, or being injected with a radioactive isotope.
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS, also called sonography, ultrasound, or general ultrasound) uses high frequency sound wave imaging and instrumentation to aid in the diagnosis of pathology and disease processes. The sonographer gathers pertinent patient history, creates images and submits preliminary findings to the reading physician. Common exams include: obstetric, gynecological, peritoneal, retroperitoneal, pelvic, thoracic, musculoskeletal, extremity, neurological, and superficial procedures. Invasive applications are also performed in most clinical settings.
- Vascular Technology is a profession which utilizes ultrasound and various physiologic testing procedures to diagnose disease of the vascular system. Vascular Technologists conduct patient interviews, compile health histories and determine risk assessments pertaining to vascular disease. The technologists choose appropriate testing modalities and provide referring physicians with preliminary interpretation of results.
- Echocardiography uses ultrasound images for diagnosis of cardiac pathology in adult and pediatric patient populations.
Dental Hygiene - The bachelor's degree program prepares the student for entry into the dental hygiene profession. The registered dental hygienist has the opportunity to pursue a variety of career options such as research, public health, education, marketing, or clinical practice.
Health Sciences - The Bachelor of Science degree program in Health Sciences prepares students for entry into professional undergraduate and graduate programs in the medical sciences. This program meets prerequisite requirements for schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, osteopathic medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and podiatry and for graduate programs in physical therapy and occupational therapy. The first two to three years of the curriculum can also be used as preparation for allied health programs.
Clinical Laboratory Science Program - Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) jointly offer the Clinical Laboratory Science (also called Medical Technology) Bachelor of Science program in Portland on the Wilsonville/Portland campus. The program, which was established in 1933 at OHSU, prepares students to work in medical laboratory settings.
Emergency Medical Technology - The Associate of Applied Science in EMT Paramedic (also called the Paramedic Education Program) is a joint program between Oregon Tech and OHSU that prepares students for a clinical career as a paramedic. Program graduates work for a full range of first responder organizations, including ambulance companies, fire districts, health systems and hospitals.
Polysomnographic Technology - The Associate's of Applied Science degree prepares the student for certification in Polysomnographic Technology. Graduates conduct diagnostic testing and evaluation of sleep disorder patients. This program is an emphasis option for the bachelor of science degree in Allied Health Management. This program is available online.
Respiratory Care - The Respiratory Care program, offered in collaboration with Rogue Community College at their Medford campus, offers two degrees: a three-year Associate of Science degree, and a Bachelor of Science degree completion program. Registered respiratory therapists, under medical direction, administer cardiopulmonary care, evaluate and assess pulmonary patients, and administer medications and diagnostic tests when appropriate. Graduates are employed in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, home-care agencies and health care promotion centers as caregivers, managers and educators.
Nursing (with OHSU) - While Oregon Tech has offered Nursing education throughout its history, the Bachelor of Science (RN) program, in 1993, became part of the Statewide Nursing Program operated by the Oregon Health & Science University. Oregon Tech currently recruits students for a Pre-Nursing curriculum that offers the lower division requirements necessary to apply to the OHSU program in Klamath Falls. Although the bachelor's program is administered by OHSU, classes are held on the Oregon Tech campus.
Distance Education programs in the health professions offer convenient, web-based degree-completion programs for working adults in Echocardiography, Dental Hygiene, Radiologic Science, Vascular Technology, Polysomnographic Technology, Respiratory Care and Allied Health Management.