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Re: [Phys-l] Medical Physics: is it a good career option?




Rory,

Let me offer some insight as someone who's wife is a practicing clinical medical physicist and who almost went into the field after my doctorate (in nuclear physics) via a retraining post-doc. Your level of education is dependent on what you want to do in the field. If you are interested in an academic career doing research, then yes, a doctorate is necessary. If you want to do clinical work which is what many medical physicists do, then a master is sufficient. Some clinics will want a Ph.D. in the chief physicists position, basically exhibiting the "letters after your name" bias, although it doesn't necessarily mean anything in terms of clinical knowledge, abililty, expertise, and ability to run a department and program. To move ahead in the field clinically, you need to be board certified (similar to physician board certification and administered by the ABR) which can be done with either a masters or doctorate. There are three areas in which you can achieve certification, therapeutic med phys (my wife's area), nuclear medicine, and diagnostic. The important aspect of your education if you are interested in clinical and being board certified is to get experience. The boards are three exams a year apart and require a certain level of supervised experience for each part. Usually the first part is taken at the end of your formal education, then the second and third after sufficient actual supervised experience (you have to be supervised and signed off by a certified physicist), getting a doctorate doesn't necessarily give you a leg up on the clinical experience.

The best way to learn about the possibilities is to talk with medical physicists (maybe shadow a few if you have the time) and explore the AAPM website. AAPM is an AIP affiliate just like APS and AAPT. They are having their annual meeting this weekend in Philadelphia. My wife is attending, she is a consultant (works temporary contracts around the country) and on several of the national committees and subcommittees. She has been a staff physicist and chief physicist at different times in her career. By the way, Jack, she only has a masters. The important thing is that you get into a program that supports your interests. Some have assistantships, especially the doctoral programs, some do not. Check out the various programs around the country. Best of luck in your career.

Bob Huffman

Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:14:49 -0500
From: jlu@hep.anl.gov
To: phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Medical Physics: is it a good career option?

I've known one career medical physicist. He had a doctorate and some
additional research experience. In my experience an MS signifies someone
who couldn't pass the qualifying exam for the doctorate.
People accepted in a doctoral program are often given teaching or
research assistantships, which helps defray the costs.
That's the sum total of my knowledge.
Regards,
Jack

"Trust me. I have a lot of experience at this."
General Custer's unremembered message to his men,
just before leading them into the Little Big Horn Valley




On Sat, 17 Jul 2010, Rory Ian BUalan wrote:

Hello there.
I am Rory. I would just like to ask for your advice or opinion if taking MS
Medical Physics is a good career option for me? I finished BSEd-Physics and
MST-Physics... I am also looking for a scholarship, so if you know somebody who
does give scholarships or something like that... Thanks a lot! ;p
BTW, I am currently teaching physics to high school students.
Rory



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