|
Posted 31 May 2006
A Career in Radiation Protection
WHAT IS RADIATION PROTECTION?
Radiation protection, often called health physics, is a specialised
multidisciplinary part of health and safety. Radiation Protection Practitioners
(RPPs) give advice and guidance on work with ionising and non-ionising
radiations and with radioactive materials. This advice and guidance
can be provided for people at work or for protection of the public and
the environment.
All aspects of radiation protection are covered by Government Regulations
and enforced by Regulators some of whom are experienced in radiation protection.
RADIATION PROTECTION PRACTICE
The practice of radiation protection includes:
operational radiation protection;
radiation dosimetry;
radiation measurement techniques;
design and safety assessments;
research;
emergency planning;
the control and safety aspects of radioactive waste management;
the safe transport of radioactive materials;
environmental monitoring and protection.
Operational radiation protection covers the day to day safety
of workers and the public via the application of basic principles and by
ensuring compliance with regulations. A RPP requires strong interpersonal
skills, particularly in the areas of communication and industrial relations,
and the job will usually include training people.
Radiation dosimetry and radiation measurement techniques are
often specialisms within radiation protection and require a higher level
of specific technical competence.
Design and safety assessment covers all types of plant and equipment,
both large and small, and includes learning from operational experience.
Research takes place to support the operational practice and
covers, for example, radiobiology, epidemiology, measurement techniques
and assessment of environmental impact.
Radiation Protection requires people working at every level of
competence from routine measurements using simple hand held instruments
to highly sophisticated laboratory equipment, and from simple instruction
to advice that has a very high political, social or economic impact.
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING
The initial qualification required is very dependent upon the area
of radiation protection in which you choose to work and the level of responsibility
associated with your duties.
You can commence a career in radiation protection with GCSE and A-level
qualifications in numerate subjects (sciences generally). However, in all
cases, you will require additional specialist training. Courses are run
at some Further Education Colleges, usually in association with The City
and Guilds of London Institute.
At the full professional level you will normally require a degree
in a science subject, most commonly physics, chemistry or biology. A higher
degree, such as a Masters Degree or Doctorate, will normally be required
if you are seeking a career in research. The IPEM provides a structured
four year training programme for graduate trainees entering the radiation
protection profession in the medical field.
Several MSc courses include radiation protection in their syllabus.
The Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency runs
training courses and also provides short courses on particular aspects
of radiation protection. Similarly, other professional societies
provide training courses usually focussed on their own specialism.
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 require an employer using
ionising radiations to seek advice from, and if necessary appoint, a suitable
Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA). An RPA is an experienced RPP who has
been legally required, by HSE, to demonstrate competence by being the current
holder of either:
- a Certificate of RPA Core Competence from an Assessing Body. (RPA2000
is such an awarding body); or
- a National Vocational Qualification in Radiation Protection Practice,
at Level 4.
In addition, an employer has to be satisfied that the RPA is suitable
to give advice in relation to that employers particular uses of ionising
radiations. This means that the RPA must have relevant experience prior
to the appointment or must be suitably trained by the employer before appointment.
Most employers provide extensive on the job training to supplement
formal education and qualifications. This training is clearly oriented
to the employers particular area of work.
At all levels of Radiation Protection, you will need to keep up to
date with developments and continue to maintain your expertise. You will
be able to do this through a Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Scheme, such as the SRPs own scheme.
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Employment opportunities exist in:
general industry (radiography, source manufacture, transport, instrumentation);
the nuclear power industry;
hospitals;
universities and research establishments;
government departments;
specialist contractors, agencies and consultancies serving radiation
protection.
The nuclear industry is probably the largest employer of full
time RPPs, often known as Health Physicists, covering all aspects of radiation
protection. Nuclear Power Stations are operated by British Energy and by
the British Nuclear Group. The British Nuclear Group also manufactures
and reprocesses nuclear fuel. Many nuclear sites are owned by the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority and operated under contract by a variety of companies.
The Ministry of Defence and its contractors operate dockyards
for nuclear vessels at Devonport in Southern England, and at Rosyth and
Faslane in Scotland. There are nuclear weapons establishments at Aldermaston
and Burghfield and at other locations.
GE Healthcare manufactures radioisotopes for medicine and research
at establishments in Amersham and Cardiff.
The Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency,
with premises at Chilton near Oxford, Leeds and Glasgow, is a national
centre of expertise and not only advises the UK government on radiation
protection standards but provides advice to radiation users on a commercial
basis.
There are research establishments run by the Medical Research Council
and the Science and Engineering Research Council at Chilton and
by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
at Lowestoft.
Hospitals require full time RPPs and information can be obtained
from the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM).
Universities and colleges may employ a RPP (often known as a
Radiation Protection Officer) and information can be obtained from the
Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (AURPO).
Government Regulators also employ RPPs but do not normally recruit
candidates direct from university since they are usually seeking staff
with prior work experience.
Many major employers are affiliated to the SRP or are members of the
British Nuclear Industry Forum. Information can be obtained by writing
to the SRP and/or:
Communications and Public Affairs
British Nuclear Industry Forum
22 Buckingham Gate
LONDON SW1E 6LB
CAREER STRUCTURE
All of the major employers have a good career structure with promotion
based upon merit including, in some cases, progression across the graduate
interface. Particularly on the operational side, responsibility comes
at an early stage, with consequent promotion opportunities. There
is a fair degree of interchange between major employers. In some
cases promotion from radiation protection managerial posts to higher general
managerial posts is also possible. Formal appointment as a Radiation
Protection Adviser, as required by the Ionising Radiations Regulations,
is a likely target for those involved in operational radiation protection.
BURSARIES AND STUDENTSHIPS
Bursaries and Studentships are available from a number of sources for
both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The SRP offers
a number of annual bursaries for postgraduate study. Some organisations
offer graduate sponsorships to appropriate students
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
The Society for Radiological Protection
Registered London Office:
76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT
Administrative Office:
Tel: 01364 644487 Fax: 01364 644492
Email: admin@srp-uk.org
Web Site: www.srp-uk.org
The SRP is exclusively concerned with radiation protection. Its
membership exceeds 1400, comprising Fellows, Members, Graduates, Associates,
Students and Affiliates. Its objectives are to aid the development
of scientific, technical, medical and legal aspects of radiation protection
in the manner of a learned society and to promote and improve radiation
protection as a profession. The SRP achieves its objectives by means of
meetings, conferences, lectures and publications, with emphasis on those
subjects which contribute to the knowledge and practice of radiation protection.
The Society has an official publication, The Journal of Radiological Protection,
which is published quarterly and supplied free to members. The SRP is the
UK Associate Society of the International Radiation Protection Association.
Details of membership of the SRP and further information about any of the
matters in this leaflet may be obtained from the SRP Administrative Office.
In summary, the SRPs activities include:
Scientific Meetings
E-mail discussion groups
Journal
Continuing Professional Development Scheme
Newsletter
Information about job vacancies
Networking
Representation on Management Board of RPA 2000
Bursaries
Other Professional Societies include
Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (AURPO)
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
April 2006
|
