Health physicists ensure safety when dealing with radioactive substances, studying their effects and interaction with living substances. A physical science education or associate’s degree in engineering, physics, medical physics, or radiation biology is required. Certification by ABHP or NRRPT is recommended. Health physicists work in medical or healthcare jobs, managing and securing radiology equipment, and ensuring safety in the workplace.
A health physicist is responsible for maintaining safety when dealing with radioactive substances. Because these substances naturally produce radiation hazards, health physicists have very important duties. They also study the interaction between types of matter and living substances and closely investigate radioactive effects. In order to become a health physicist, certain college courses must be taken, along with proper training.
A career as a health physicist involves many different jobs in various disciplines. Therefore, the person who wants to become a health physicist must have a thorough understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, genetics, environmental sciences, biochemistry, physiology and toxicology. A physical science education is a good stepping stone to becoming a health physicist. Some colleges award academic degrees in health physics, but a bachelor’s degree in one of the disciplines mentioned above, particularly physics, is also a good foundation for this type of career.
A two-year program to earn an associate’s degree is another way to become a health physicist. This type of program focuses on specific subjects such as engineering, physics, medical physics and radiation biology. With this program, classroom learning combines with real-world experience. Many universities have programs set up with labs where students receive hands-on training in these scientific works. Students can help research environmental contamination, study radioactivity levels, or study the procedure and risks of administering x-rays.
Once a student completes the program and training, he or she can become a health physicist. To be recognized nationally as a member of this group of scientists, the health physicist may be certified by the American Council on Health Physics (ABHP) or the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT). A health physicist is required to complete professional development training and higher education once he or she begins to practice, but the specific requirements for doing so vary based on the type and location of the job.
Health physicists can work in medical jobs or other healthcare jobs. The physicist will work in the radiology or nuclear medicine department at a hospital, clinic or medical center and will use radiation sources to diagnose and treat patients. Additionally, a health physicist may work at the reactor site to purchase, manage, and secure radiology equipment. No matter where they work, health physicists’ knowledge of radioactive materials makes them primarily responsible for ensuring safety in the workplace. The career of a health physicist is one that enjoys constant variety, as education and training qualifies them to take on many different tasks.
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