What Is a Health Physics Technician?

Nuclear power plants are one place health physics technicians may work.

Health physics technicians are scientists who have an in-depth understanding of radiation and biological systems. They work in places where ionizing radiation is present, and protect the general public from it.

Purpose

Health physics technicians work at medical, government and industrial facilities. They may assist health physicists or other medical professionals with data collection, preparation of instruments and the teaching of other personnel, possibly without guidance.

Additional Tasks

Health physics technicians are also expected to assess situations involving radiation either within safety limits or not within safety limits and apply the appropriate radiation control.

Education

To be a health physics technician, a two-year university degree in health physics is necessary. Another option is to obtain a degree in physics or a related field and then undergo additional training to become a health physics technician.

Career Opportunities

Individuals with a major in health physics can branch into other professions like nuclear equipment operations technicians or nuclear medicine technologists.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, health physics technicians with a year of experience make about $27,500 to $47,500 a year as of 2010. With 20 or more years of experience they can make up to about $80,000 a year.

References

• New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering: Health Physics
• CollegeToolkit.com: Major Overview for Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician
• PayScale: Health Physics Technician