Answer to Question #1012 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I have just moved to the United States. I have a BS in physics and an MS in nuclear engineering and I have over seven years of experience with radiation-detection instruments and some nuclear analytical techniques in my country. Now I am interested in a job in the health physics field. Although I have had some health physics courses at the university, is there any training program here that can qualify me for a health physics position in the United States?

A

While a number of schools offer degrees in health physics, many people working as health physicists today have come from other technical fields, such as physics or engineering. Jobs in health physics often do not have specific requirements for training in health physics. Health physicist job requirements may include a bachelor's degree in science or engineering and/or a certain number of years of experience in the practice of radiation safety. With a BS in physics and an MS in nuclear engineering, you may not need any additional training to apply for a health physics job. You may wish to look at job announcements to determine qualification requirements and also apply for several health physics jobs to determine if you may need additional training. You may find that your seven years of experience with radiation instruments are more important than specific health physics training.

To further establish your credentials as a specialist in radiation safety, you may wish to consider getting registered as a Radiation Protection Technologist with the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists. With professional-level experience in health physics, you may also want to consider becoming a Certified Health Physicist with the American Board of Health Physics. With the training and experience which you already have, you are encouraged to apply for health physics jobs. Prospective employers will tell you if you need more training or experience for any specific job.

Ray Johnson, CHP, PE, RSO