Health Physicists

Some physicists use their knowledge of physics principles to work in medicine and health. Health Physics is a field of science concerned with radiation protection. Health physicists, or Radiation safety officer protect people or the environment from the potential hazards of radiation in a variety of settings.
 Health physicists find employment in a reactor facility, medical center, genetic research institute, or other site where ionizing radiation is present.
Hospitals health physicists help to protect workers, patients, and visitors by ensuring that facilities using radiation sources are doing so safely.
Nuclear power plants health physicists analyze laboratory results to make sure that the reactor is operating safely.

Health physicists also work for regulatory agencies that help to establish rules for the manufacture, use, and disposal of radioactive materials.

What does a Health Physicist do?
Health physicists job is to assure that radioactive contamination and radiation exposures are kept as low as reasonably achievable.
-They measure radioactivity concentrations in water, soil, air and biota
-measure and calculate effective doses of radiation to people
-plan and conduct studies, surveys, inspections, and investigations of radiologic health hazards
-decontaminate and decommission facilities associated with the use of radioactive substances
-design and test containers to transport radioactive substances
-supervise decontamination procedures in case of radiological incidents
-prepare technical reports
-participate in research on the measurement and effects of radiation on humans and the environment.

Health physicists may train other health physicists, medical personnel, nuclear plant workers, or others who need to understand the risks of radiation exposure—and how to prevent excessive amounts.
Health physicist median annual wage is $101,310