Answer to Question #2916 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Your background in nuclear science is impressive and it obviously runs parallel to the discipline of health physics. However, without considering the specific details of your academic preparation and the details of your professional experiences, it is hard to say how readily you could evolve into a health physics career. The profession of health physics is much different than the work you have observed being conducted by health physics technicians throughout the experiences you have described.

Perhaps, you might think about the following areas and consider your preparation in light of these items. Accreditated health physics programs require that their students demonstrate competency in the following curricular areas: (a) radiation physics, (b) radiation biology, (c) radiation detection and measurement with laboratory experience, (d) internal and external radiation dosimetry, (e) principles of radiation safety and health physics, and (f) contemporary issues in health physics (this may be interpreted in many ways—one viable idea is to make certain the students understand the current regulatory framework and have established a fundamental understanding of regulatory requirements related to the discipline).

Graduates from such programs must also demonstrate competency in statistics and applied science in general and very good communication skills.

It may well be that you are already adequately prepared for a career in the discipline of health physics. Alternately, you may not really be ready for this challenge. In either case you could probably find employment in health physics with your previous academic preparation. What? Yes, I said that even though you may not have adequate academic preparation you might find work in the discipline! The reason I say this is because many subdisciplines in the profession of health physics do not have well-developed requirements for one practicing the discipline. Considering that such ambiguities exist and the demand for health physicists is large, it seems apparent that you may easily find employment in the field. That being said, my hope is that your own level of professionalism would restrict you from entering an area in which you are not certain of your own expertise.

What would be the best way for me to obtain an HP job? What type of positions should I look for with my current background?

Evaluate your expertise and the job descriptions of a potential employer. If the two are a reasonable fit then, very traditionally, contact the organization in question. It would seem reasonable to me to describe both your strengths and weaknesses with respect to the required job expectations so that both parties are adequately informed of the circumstances. Should there be gaps, I would encourage anyone in such a position to negotiate an adequate budget (in writing) for professional development and travel to professional meetings so that such "gaps" are filled. The worst-case scenario is that either you are given or foolishly assume responsibility for an area in which you are not fully cognizant and are simultaneously denied the resources to develop your knowledge in this area. When disaster eventually occurs you will be the one with the problem, not necessarily those who denied you the resources. Keep in mind the simple fact that if you break the law you may go to jail, be fined, or lose a license. My point is that one cannot escape personal responsibility when operating on a professional level.

If you don't find a fit in an area that you are interested in, then you might desire to beef up your own qualifications so that you can eventually find your ideal employment.

What additional training would I need?

Or in my words: What to do to beef up your expertise? The answer to this question ranges over several options from professional enrichment classes to a full graduate academic program. Under all circumstances develop your professional network with others who have responsibilities in identical or similar areas. The most important issue to evaluate is your starting point. How much do you already absolutely know? This should be your guide on the question of what level of academic credentials you need to pursue.

What ever route you consider, I strongly urge you to consider professional certification. The appropriate certification for a health physics professional is certification by the American Board of Health Physics. The usefulness of certification is that it establishes a minimum bar for professional participation in the discipline.

I hope this perspective is useful.