Medical physicist

Medical physicist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Medical physicists use a variety of analytical, computer-aided and bioengineering techniques in their work such as radiotherapy, x-ray imaging, ultrasound, tomography, radiology, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and lasers.

They work both with patients and with a wide range of medical, technical and administrative staff.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• researching, developing and evaluating new analytical techniques
• mathematical modelling
• maintaining equipment
• planning and ensuring safe and accurate treatment of patients
• providing advice about radiation protection
• training and updating health care, scientific and technical staff
• managing radiotherapy quality assurance programmes
• writing reports
• teaching
• laboratory management.

There are good prospects for promotion within the public sector as the NHS operates a structured career path and salary scale.

Typical employers of medical physicists

• hospitals
• universities
• research organisations
• diagnostic/medical instrumentation manufacturers.

Vacancies are advertised in the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine's Placement Service Circular, national newspapers and scientific journals such as the New Scientist. The NHS clearing scheme for clinical scientists handles most trainee positions (details/vacancy information are normally available each year from mid-January onwards).

Qualifications and training required

To become a medical physicist a good degree in physics, applied science, computation, mathematics or engineering is necessary. A postgraduate qualification can also be beneficial. Research work, hospital laboratory placements and/or relevant experience gained using similar scientific and analytical techniques can also be useful.

Professional training is normally provided for successful candidates once in post, often leading to an MSc and corporate membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.

Key skills for medical physicists

• a logical and inquisitive mind
• excellent IT skills
• analytical skills
• good team working abilities.