Health physics is the study of how to manage radiation safely. Health physicists work in a variety of industries and specialize in areas such as radioactive waste management and environmental assessment. Training includes a two-year degree and certification from the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists or the American Board of Health Physics. Career opportunities include working in environmental regulation, medical care, and as consultants.
Health physics is the study of how radiation affects living systems. A health physicist is responsible for the safety of people working around radiation and the community in which a radioactive facility is located. Health physics is not the study of how radiation works to create energy, or to fight cancer, but rather it is the study of how to manage it safely.
People studying health physics have a wide range of job opportunities. They can work in hospitals, manufacturing companies, nuclear power plants, government laboratories and regulatory agencies. Within this field of study, there are many subspecialties. Some common subspecialties are radioactive waste management, radioactive contamination control, environmental assessment, and radioactive emergency response.
The growing use of radiation for everything from energy to health care means that health physics is a growing field. Someone interested in becoming a health physicist should plan to study a wide range of subjects, including physics, biology, environmental science, toxicology, chemistry, and engineering. The career requires a dedication to learning, because even among trained medical physicists it’s important to stay current on technological changes.
Individuals who wish to receive training in health physics typically receive a two-year, or Associate’s, degree. This training is very intensive, but does not provide the level of training necessary to enter the world of work. The National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRRPT) and the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) certify professionals in the field of health physics. Many colleges that offer graduate programs in health physics work with local agencies that use radioactive materials. Choosing a college with an existing partnership will allow you to complete a work-study program that will lead to better training and better job offers.
Once a health physicist completes training, there are many career opportunities to choose from. One possibility is to work in the field of environmental regulation. Environmental regulators help determine what levels of radiation are safe in the environment and how radiation affects living organisms.
Medical physicists who work in radioactive waste management establish management programs to clean up radioactive materials. Medical physicists working in the medical care setting make recommendations to keep medical personnel safe and minimize patient and staff exposure to radiation. Some health physicists work as consultants and help design facilities that will house radiation programs or implement radiation control programs in existing facilities.
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