Case studies: Medical physicist: Shellagh Neil

Shellagh graduated with a BSc in Physics with Computing from the University of Warwick and an MSc in Medical Physics from the University of Leeds. She works in the field of radiation protection and diagnostic imaging physics...

After graduating with a BSc, I was accepted onto the NHS Clinical Scientists training programme. This involved going back to university to get my MSc (a one-year, full-time course). I then had one year of 'in-service training', which consisted of three placements in different specialties of medical physics.

At the end of the training programme, I got a job as a trainee medical physicist in radiation protection. Once I'd been in the post for two years, I sat my Association of Clinical Scientists examination. After passing this exam I could use the protected title of Clinical Scientist and Medical Physicist.

My undergraduate degree is not used extensively in my day-to-day job, although it is important to have a fundamental understanding of many physics concepts. Knowledge gained in my MSc is used every day - it covered so much regarding ionising radiation, e.g. detection methods, shielding methods, legislation, etc.

There is huge variation in my working day, which I really enjoy. Some days are spent in the office providing radiation protection advice to many different professions in the hospital. For example, I calculate and specify how much shielding is required in the walls of x-ray rooms if new rooms are being built or new equipment is to be installed. I provide risk assessments and local rules for all areas in hospitals that use ionising radiation. We will audit all departments that use ionising radiation and provide reports on improvements that are required to fully comply with radiation protection legislation.

Other days I am out and about in different hospitals testing any items of equipment that use ionising radiation, for example an x-ray unit, to ensure it is safe to use for both staff and patients, or working in new build sites to measure the protection offered by the walls from radiation. In addition, I could be giving lectures on radiation safety to staff or students.

It is a very complex job requiring a large amount of concentration and in-depth understanding of many different areas of radiation protection. I am still coming across parts of the job that I don't have a good understanding of, so I am learning new things all the time.

If I had to give advice to students and graduates who would like to get into this career, I'd say to be prepared for it taking many years until you have finished studying. To become a state registered medical physicist will take at least four years after completing your BSc.

I'd also say try to get some work experience in different areas of medical physics before deciding this is the career for you. Even within the field of medical physics, there are many various areas to work in (radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, MRI, etc.) so to have had a taste of what is available before you start the course is a good idea.

AGCAS

Sourced by Kirsten Roche, University of Edinburgh

Date: 

October 2012

© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer