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The Medical Radiation Diploma provides intensive theoretical and practical instruction through lectures, labs, blended and online courses. You are expected to act as simulated patients to learn positioning techniques, as well as interpersonal skills. Additionally, you will gain practical experience in the clinical environment. Clinical experiences are located in various hospital sites throughout Vancouver Coastal, Fraser Health and Interior Health Authorities. These experiences are designed to promote confidence, competence and professional practise through repetition of the “learn, understand, apply” learning cycle.

Medical Radiography: Diploma

British Columbia Institute of Technology

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Note: In alignment with public health orders, this program requires that students be vaccinated for a number of communicable diseases – including COVID-19.

Competitive Entry: Three-step process

This program is competitive and only applicants who have met the   will be considered.

Preference for shortlisting will be given to applicants with:

math, biology, and physics requirements completed within the past five years
final grades rather than midterm grades
post-secondary education
a strong GPA
related volunteer and/or work experience
a demonstrated interest in the field
post-secondary education with a focus on human anatomy and physiology and/or health

Applicants with preferred  are to submit transcripts and supporting documentation with their online application. 

Step 1: Meet the following 

English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
English Studies 12 (73%) or
English First Peoples 12 (73%) or
Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (73%) from a recognized institution

Math: one of the following (or equivalent):
Pre-Calculus 12 (73%) or
Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
MATH 0001 - Technical Mathematics (73%) or
MATH 0120 - Math 12 Competency Test (73%) or
3.0 credits post-secondary math (linear algebra, pre-calculus, or calculus) at 100 level or higher (73%) from a recognized institution
Physics: one of the following (or equivalent):
Physics 12 (73%) or
PHYS 0312 - Technology Entry Physics 2 (73%) or
PHYS 0120 - Physics 12 Challenge Exam (73%)
Complete the following assessment:
Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics): Casper will send the results directly to the BCIT Medical Radiography program once you request that your score be distributed to the program.
Note: Please register to complete the Casper assessment as soon as possible. Registration numbers and dates are limited.

Complete the following forms for submission with your online application:
Physical and Program Requirements 
To acknowledge the nature of this training and the physically demanding nature of this work.
Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire
This form will be used with other  in the competitive selection for the program.
Casper Confirmation Form 

If more than five years have elapsed since you completed the math, biology, or physics requirement, upgrading is preferred.

1. Students can only write the math and physics challenge exams once.
2. Students who register and write these exams a second time will be given the mark from their first attempt.
3. The post-secondary human biology courses' content must include cytology and the structure and function of the following organ systems: digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, renal/urinary, and reproductive.
4. To meet the minimum requirements, applicants must submit final or midterm grades in support of their application. Midterm reports must demonstrate a minimum completion of 50% of the gradable course work.
5. Applicants may request to have their credentials reviewed for equivalency by contacting the administrative coordinator.

Step 2: Department assessment

All applications will be reviewed by the program area. Applicant files are assessed and scored based on completion,  strength of listed , scoring of the mandatory questionnaire, and Casper test results. Only complete applications received by the application deadline date will be considered.

Step 3: Conditionally selected applicants

Applicants conditionally accepted into the Medical Radiography program will be notified. The following will be required for full acceptance:

1. MRAD 0150 - Medical Terminology for Imaging (80%)
Access to this online course is provided once you are conditionally accepted or waitlisted.
2. CPR Level C with an issue date within three months of the program start
3. Criminal Record Check 
4. Immunization Review 
Submit to Student Health Services.
5. Consent for Use and Disclosure of Student Information 
6. Volunteer validation letter outlining a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work in a patient-related environment.

Academic Admission Requirement

Volunteer criteria

The type of volunteer work the Medical Radiography program requires of applicants is that of an "interactive" role rather than an "informational" role. Volunteers are required to interact with patients that exemplify some of the challenges healthcare workers face on a regular basis. For instance, relating to patients that have language barriers, are less mobile, are hard of hearing, or have physical or mental challenges. Examples of interactions are reading to patients, playing games, and supporting with their non-medical needs such as providing assistance with wheelchairs and feeding etc.

Some of the best environments to gain this all-inclusive sensory experience of sounds, smells, and sights of the hospitalized patient include:

Extended/long-term care facilities
Retirement/seniors facilities
Hospital wards

The following work experience will not qualify for this requirement:

Receptionist/guest services (dental, medical, veterinarian, imaging clinic, medical lab clinic, physiotherapy clinic, etc.)
Medical office assistant (MOA)
Dental assistant
Lifeguard
Day/childcare staff

The volunteer experience must be current within one year from the start of the application intake cycle.

A volunteer validation letter is required from the facility supervisor or volunteer coordinator. The letter must be on business letterhead and include start and end dates, the number of volunteer hours completed and the roles and responsibilities performed.

For further clarification, please contact the administrative coordinator.

Once these and any other outstanding conditions have been met, notification of full acceptance will be granted.

Clinical requirements

Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including long-term-care facilities, are required to have influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.

Face Respirator Fit Testing

A face piece respiratory fit test is required before students are permitted to enter the clinical practicum. Upon successful completion of the fit test, the original certificate must be presented to the program and annual re-fitting is required. Students are expected to carry their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.

For the respirator fit testing, testing with a N95 respirator is required and must be performed in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit testing must also include inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions on how to access fit testing by the program prior to the first clinical practicum. Students are responsible for paying for the annual fit test while in the program.

Additional Academic Admission Requirement



This is a physically and emotionally demanding profession requiring a controlled sensitivity to disturbing medical scenarios and the ability to work in a busy, sometimes stressful environment. Since the work is highly technical and exacting, you must feel comfortable with complex instruments, possess considerable manual dexterity, and have meticulous work habits. You must have a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to work as a health-care team worker with the stress management skills to cope with trauma situations, surgical procedures and acutely ill patients.

Technologists must have:

high level of physical and mental resilience
fine motor control
the physical strength to lift and move incapacitated patients or heavy equipment
good core strength to stand for long periods of time with and without protective apparel
demonstrated good visual depth perception and discernment of grey colour scale
demonstrated critical thinking skills
excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Admission Advice

Applications for the January intake will be accepted as follows:		
		
First round: January to June		
Second round: July to August    		
		
We recommend that you apply early. All supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline.
This program is not available to international students.  	

Application Deadline Advice

Medical Radiography Diplomas

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URL for Medical Radiography: Diploma at BCIT

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Medical Radiography: Diploma

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