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Medical physicist
This page describes the work of a medical phyisicist, and includes information on entry requirements and training programmes.
Working as a medical physicist
The skill and inventive genius of physicists and engineers have led to the development of many of the instruments and techniques which form a vital part of modern medicine. The physical scientists who work in medical physics and engineering may be physicists, engineers, applied mathematicians or computer scientists. Although their education and training are different from those of doctors, they are still intimately involved in assessing and treating illness and disability. Close collaboration between physical scientists and doctors can achieve much more than either in isolation.Main job roles:
- Developing techniques to show what is happening in the body e.g. x-ray, nuclear medicine with radioactive drugs and gamma cameras, and ultrasound scanning.
- Medical physicists may supervise the dose of radiation to
treat a cancer tumour.
Medical physics and engineering applies science and technology for the benefit of the sick and can therefore give particular satisfaction. A mixture of research, development and routine services to patients is usually involved. Physical scientists work in many different medical fields. Many are concerned with nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, radiology and various aspects of physiological monitoring and investigation, but others contribute to specialities ranging from anaesthetics to urology. (see also the link on the right 'Clinical engineer')
Entry requirements:
For more information about the entry requirements for training to work as a clinical scientist, please click hereTraining programmes:
For information on training as a clinical scientist, how to apply, and financial support available while training, click here.Registration
In order to practice in the UK as a clinical scientist, you must be registered with the Health Professions Council. Click here for details.Further information:
For further information about a career as a clinical scientist in medical physics, contact the Institution of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) - click here for detailsClick on the links on the right for additional information.
