Answer to Question #1636 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I'm thinking fairly long term when I phrase this question. I am an English health physicist (BSc, MSc, MSRP) and was wondering (a) what the employment prospects would be for someone like me in the United States or Canada and (b) what is the process of becoming an accredited/chartered health physicist in the United States? (I'm not too sure of the terminology used in the states but broadly mean a comparable standard to being appointed as a radiation protection advisor by the UK health and safety executive.)

A

Your first question: Your question about what the employment prospects would be for someone like you in the United States or Canada and the questions about the employment prospects for a senior professional are interesting. I can speak about the situation in the United States; I cannot speak about the situation in Canada as I know little of what our friends to the North are facing in our profession. Here is what I know for certain: The demand for entry-level professionals is greater than supply. The demand is highly regionalized. This demand-supply ratio is likely to get worse in the next few years as a large number of baby boomers retire. Here is where I start to speculate: The market for senior professionals is a little more tricky. I suspect you will find it easy to get a job as a health physicist in the United States if you have a green card, or some other level of authorization from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, particularly if you are willing to take employment at a slightly lower salary than your credentials could dictate or if you are willing and able to accept an entry-level position. Many positions which remain unfilled are offering relatively low salaries for the regional cost of living. I speculate, given the general interest and respect that most Americans have for the English, that you will probably find America to be a very hospitable environment in which you may employ your expertise.

The senior professional market in general is likely to remain competitive for a number of years, particularly as some senior-level folks take early retirement buyouts and then become bored or fiscally challenged in retirement and try to get back in the labor market, most likely as consultants. The way this potential over-supply balances with entry-level demand will be of course the great and interesting question for senior professionals. I don't think this situation will last very long, perhaps less than five years. After about five years, unless the number of health physcs professionals entering academic programs increase, we will be in a terrific crunch. This speculation all supposes that the status quo does not change. If we begin a resurgence in nuclear power, or are adversely effected by terrorism—that is to say, if for any reason demand for radiation safety expertise increases—the immediate demand will outstrip all possible means of supply for that expertise. Who has a crystal ball that can predict the future under such circumstances?

Your second question: What is the process of becoming an accredited/chartered health physicist in the United States? (I'm not too sure of the terminology used in the states but broadly mean a comparable standard to being appointed as a radiation protection advisor by the UK health and safety executive.) Well, first you should know that few states require any type of professional certification to practice health physics. There is however, a very good certification process under the auspice of the American Board of Health Physics which can solidify your professional credentials in the United States. Information regarding requirements for certification, examination procedures and fees, and application materials are available from Richard J. Burk Jr., Executive Secretary, American Board of Health Physics, 1313 Dolley Madison Boulevard, Suite 402, McLean, VA 22101; 702-790-1745; fax: 703-790-2672. The process involves a two-part test. These may or may not be taken on the same day. These tests are only offered once a year, generally during the annual Health Physics Society meeting. The first part is multiple choice (I remember about 150 questions). The second part presents one with various written scenarios to which professional analysis is applied and expert recommendations are made. One successfully completing both parts becomes a Certified Health Physicist (CHP). One is listed as a member of the American Academy of Health Physics. If only one part is passed, then one may become an Associate member of the Academy of Health Physics for a period not exceeding seven years, or until the second part is passed. These are very challenging examinations for many individuals. Failure rates in the 70% range have been experienced in some years.

Rich Brey, PhD, CHP