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Medical physicist
Hours
37 per week
Starting salary
£20,700 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
As a medical physicist, you would use your knowledge of physics in a healthcare setting. Your main purpose would be to research and develop techniques and equipment used by medical staff to diagnose and treat patients.
Your work could include:
- developing and testing new systems to help investigate patients' conditions, for example MRI scanning
- monitoring equipment (like x-rays and ultrasound) to make sure it is accurate, safe and well-maintained
- training hospital staff in the use of new equipment and complex procedures
- helping to plan treatment programmes and explaining procedures to patients
- carrying out certain procedures and analysing test results
- using computer simulations and mathematical modelling techniques during research and development work.
An important part of your work would be developing new technology for diagnosis and treatment, which can cover many areas including:
- imaging techniques – to track how organs are functioning and to aid image-guided surgery
- radiation and radio therapies – calculating dosages for beams and radioactive implants used in the treatment of cancers
- electronics – designing instruments which take measurements or support damaged organs
- laser technology – to reduce the need for invasive surgery, for example breaking up kidney stones or treating eye disorders.
You would work closely with medical professionals such as doctors, radiographers and medical physics technicians.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work around 37 hours a week.
You would be based in a hospital, clinic or laboratory setting. You would wear protective clothing and take other safety measures when working with hazardous substances and radiation.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Trainee medical physicists may earn between £20,700 and £33,500 a year, depending on grading
- State registered medical physicists, specialists and managers may earn between £39,300 and £65,000 or more.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To become a qualified and registered clinical scientist, specialising in medical physics, you will usually need a first or upper second class honours degree in physics or engineering.
To get on to a physical science or engineering related degree course, you will usually need:
- five GCSEs (A-C) including English language, maths and at least two sciences
- three A levels, including maths or physics (some universities offer a one-year foundation course for those without a science background).
Check with course providers for exact entry requirements, as alternative qualifications may be accepted. You can search for degree courses on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.
After your degree you will need to find a trainee clinical scientist (medical physics) job. Vacancies are posted on the NHS Clinical Scientists Recruitment Services website (the deadline is usually February each year). This website (and NHS Jobs) will advertise any unfilled posts during June and July.
Relevant experience is likely to give you an advantage when applying for trainee medical physicist post. The professional body for this area of clinical science is the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). Check their website for further advice about applying for pre-registration training in this specialism.
As a trainee you will complete a two or three year programme of study and supervised experience, usually leading to an MSc in Medical Physics and entry to the first stage of membership with the IPEM. You can then apply for more senior clinical scientist (medical physics) posts.
With a further two years' experience you can apply for a Certificate of Attainment awarded by the Association of Clinical Scientists, which involves being assessed by specialists in the field of medical physics. The ACS is an umbrella organisation covering the 12 main professions within clinical science, and responsible for assessing your competence to practise and register as a clinical scientist in medical physics.
Once you have the Certificate, you can apply for registration with the Health Professions Council.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Throughout your career you will need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date and renew your registration with the HPC every two years.
Being a member of the IPEM, and having access to networking and educational activities, may help you meet HPC requirements for continuing professional development. You could also go on to study for further qualifications, such as a PhD.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- good knowledge of physical sciences
- an interest in medicine and patient care
- high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to concentrate for long periods
- high ethical standards
- the confidence to take responsibility for decisions
- an enquiring mind and good problem solving skills
- excellent spoken and written communication skills
- good teamworking skills
- the ability to put patients at ease.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
NHS Careers 
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
Fairmount House
230 Tadcaster Road
York
YO24 1ES
Tel: 01904 610821
www.ipem.ac.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs within the NHS. You could also find work with private hospitals, in higher education or medical research institutes and in the medical equipment manufacturing industry.
As an experienced clinical scientist in medical physics, you go on to lead a department.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open new window)
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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