Career Scope of Radiological Physics

Radiological physics plays an important role in today’s health care system. It has applications in diagnostics, therapy, nuclear medicine industry, agriculture and research.

The work of Radiological physicist:
Qualified physicists collaborate with radiation oncologists to design treatment plans, and its delivery. They take precise measurements of radiation beam characteristics establish adequate protocols to ensure accurate protocols to ensure accurate patient dosimetry and do other safety tests on a regular basis.

Radiation physicists are responsible for developing and directing quality control programmes for equipment and procedures. They are responsible for making sure the equipment works properly. In most of the cases, one single man has to take care of all the needs of Medical Physics requirements. He may be responsible for Calibration, Planning, dosimetry, Radiation Protection and also for the teaching and training whenever necessary. He acts also as the bridge between the Institute and law enforcing bodies such as Atomic Energy Regulatory Board-India and BARC Bombay.

Apart from clinical work, some physicists may be involved in research and development and develop new therapeutic equipment or procedures, etc.

Education & Skills for Radiological Physics:
This is a very specialized course, available only after post graduation. But few universities do offer M.Sc. in Medical Physics, which also teaches Radiological physics. The course is primarily to qualify the successful candidates as Medical Physicists to work in cancer hospitals.

Students are trained in the safe use of radiation and radioisotopes in medicine industry, agriculture and research. The course contents covers Human anatomy Physiology & Pathology, Effects of Radiation and Principles of Radiation Protection, Special Radiographic Procedures, Radiographic Technology, Applications of radioisotopes in medicine, industry research, agriculture and radiation hazards evaluation and control.

The training is supplementary by exhaustive experiments and demonstrations. In addition to this students also undergo on-the-job training in hospitals for a period of six months in the third semester.

Key Skills of Radiological Physicist:

• Strong communication skills, tact and resourcefulness to help patients.
• Ability to work well with people from different backgrounds and of all ages
• A strong sense of responsibility and interest in the well-being of others
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Mechanical ability, manual dexterity and meticulous work habits in order to operate sophisticated equipment under exacting conditions.
• Physically and mentally alert, and ability to work effectively in crisis situations.

Some Institutes which offer Radiological Physics courses:

• Bhabha Atomic Research centre, trombay, Mumbai (www.barc.ernet.in)
• Osmania University, Hyderabad (www.osmania.ac.in)
• Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (www.b-u.ac.in)
• Anna University, Chennai (www.annauniv.edu)
• Panjab University, Chandigarh (www.puchd.ac.in)
• Manipal University Manipal (www.manipal.edu)
• Calicut University, Kerala (www.universityofcalicut.info)

Remuneration of Radiological Physicist:
Salary ranges from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month

Job prospects of Radiological Physics:
A course in Radiological Physics qualifies the candidates for employment as Medical Physicists/ Radiological Safety Officers. They work in the hospitals having radiation oncology department, or in Medical equipments manufacturing industries medical. Many medical physics make a career as a consultant to hospitals and other users of their services.

There is growing need for these hospitals as more and more hospitals are now having oncology department. There is a good demand in other countries as well.