Medical Radiation Physicist is an integral part of the oncology team and plays an important role in the calculation of safe radiation doses in medical treatment with radiations. These professionals work directly with the doctor in the treatment, planning and delivery of radiations. They also oversee the working of the Dosimetrist - experienced and certified radiation therapists - and help to ensure that complex treatments are properly tailored for each and every patient as per the requirement.
Medical Radiation Physicist or Qualified medical physicists are also responsible for developing and directing quality control programs for equipment and procedures to be used in the treatment. They are entirely responsible for making sure that the equipment involved in the radiation therapy works properly.
Medical Radiation Physicist required the highest level of professional knowledge about the field and condition they are going to work in the coming time. For that, they need proper education and training in their respective field which can only be achieved by doing professionally designed diploma/degree courses. So to be in this profession as a Medical Radiation Physicist and to be eligible for being Radiological Safety Officers (RSO) one has to undergo one or more of the below-given courses.
Medical Radiation Physicist Eligibility
The minimum educational qualification for this profession is either a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from a recognised institute.
Medical Radiation Physicist Required Skills
- Medical Radiation Physicists should possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- They should also have excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, advanced mathematical skills.
- Candidates must also possess critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills.
Institutes offering Courses for Medical Radiation Physicist
- Department of Physics, Anna University, Chennai
- BARC, Mumbai
- University of Calicut
- Department of Physics, Panjab University
How to become a Medical Radiation Physicist?
To adopt Medical Radiation Physicists as a career one has to undergo one or more of the following Courses-
Medical Radiation Physicist Eligibility
Educational Qualification required to be a Medical Radiation Physicists:-
M.Sc. (in either of the following)
- Radiation Physics
- Medical Physics
Essential Qualification-
- B.Sc. (Life Science/physics/chemistry/mathematics)
Diploma in Radiological Physics (Dip R.P)
Essential Qualification
- M.Sc. (Physics)
Diploma in Medical radioisotope techniques (DMRIT)
Essential Qualification (either of the following)
- B.Sc. (Chemistry/Physics/Life-Science/Biotech./Bio-chemistry/Micro-biology/Biophys)
- B.Sc. (Nuclear Medicine Technology)
- B.Sc. (Medical Radiological Technology)
Diploma in Radiation Medicine (DRM)
Essential Qualification (either of the following)
- MBBS degree
After completing this 2 to 3 years of essential qualifications to enter this field in which one has to go through all the major aspects of the radiation field candidate can join the profession as Medical Radiation Physicist. However, to work as a Radiological Safety Officers has to acquire a higher education (Doctorate etc.)
Medical Radiation Physicist Job Description
Medical Radiation Physicist takes precise measurements of radiation beam characteristics and does other safety tests on a regular basis. Considering the all-important work they have to handle and their demand they not only have an alluring career option but also a challenging career with an aim for providing safety to the humans engaged in the welfare of human race by making constructive use of otherwise quite dangerous radiations. They have extensive training in the safe use of radiation to treat the disease as a little carelessness on their part can prove fatal for the patient. He/she may have to work round the clock in an emergency condition. Although it a tough ask but it is the part and parcel of the profession they are engaged in. Along with a spirit for teamwork, good powers of observation, accurate judgment and self-confidence
Medical Radiation Physicist Career Prospects
The treatment of patients with radiation involves planning, quality assurance checks to be done meticulously in which the medical physicists play an important role. A lot of private hospitals with modern radiation therapy facilities are coming up in India and there is a definite upswing for medical physicists in the coming times. Thus the major scope for the medical physicists is in the cancer hospitals where they have to work alongside clinicians in providing scientific and technical expertise and conducting research. They are also qualified to serve as RSO in research and industrial institutions handle radioisotopes and ionizing radiations. In the coming times, a well-qualified Radiation medical physicists can find a challenging career in public and private sector hospital.
Medical Radiation Physicist Salary
Being associated with the field that involves such high a degree of accuracy and alertness that even more than hundred per cent of professional commitment requires a reasonably good salary is expected and rightfully paid in government and private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres etc. The average starting salary of a Medical Radiation Physicists ranges between Rs.20,000 to Rs.25,000 per month in big cancer hospitals and clinics. Those working in private hospitals or corporate sector as research scholars have much more income than those of government employees. However, those earning more or less depends upon their skill, knowledge, experience and commitment to the job in hand.
