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HealthcareISCO 2269

Medical physics expert

A medical physics expert is a person who advises on the radiation physics applied to medical exposure, and who answers for measuring and calculating ionising radiation doses and for optimising radiation protection for patients and for everyone else exposed to ionising radiation for medical purposes, including the use of diagnostic reference levels.

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Rate 5 of the 30 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

test medical devices

evaluate delivery of radiation treatment

apply radiation protection procedures

assess radiation response

perform transcranial magnetic stimulation

About medical physics expert

Equipment is the first field. The expert takes part in selecting medical radiological devices, prepares the technical specifications, and is involved in installing, designing and monitoring medical radiological installations. A machine that delivers radiation is specified, accepted and watched rather than simply bought.

Quality assurance is the continuing work. The expert carries out the acceptance testing that establishes a device performs as it must, applies dosimetric planning, radiation protection and densitometry, and works from medical laboratory technologies and laboratory techniques. The performance of radiological equipment changes over time, so it has to be measured regularly.

Two further duties define the seniority of the role. The expert analyses the events involving accidental or unintended exposure to ionising radiation for medical purposes, which is the examination that follows a case where something went wrong, and answers for training doctors and other staff in the relevant aspects of radiation protection. The expert also complies with healthcare legislation and quality standards and looks after the medical devices.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (30)

radiologyradiologyRadiology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...radiation physics in healthcareradiation physics in healthcareThe radiation physics related to conventional radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic nuclear medicine and their principles such as areas of application, indications, contraindications, limitations...laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.dosimetric planningdosimetric planningThe planning and measurement of radiation amounts according to ICRU terminology.health technology assessmenthealth technology assessmentThe assessment of the properties, performance and effects of health technologies aimed at detecting the direct and indirect effects of health technologies and their desired and undesired consequences.densiometrydensiometryDiagnosis procedure that measures the degree of mineralisation and calcium in a bone by passing x-rays, to determine its thickness or strength. Densiometry is used to diagnose osteoporosis and monitor...medical devicesmedical devicesEquipment and devices used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of medical issues. Medical devices cover a wide range of products, ranging from syringes and protheses to MRI machinery and heari...medical laboratory technologymedical laboratory technologyThe various types and uses of technology and equipment employed in medical laboratories to perform tests on samples in order to identify possible disease-related substances.radiation protectionradiation protectionThe measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.test medical devicestest medical devicesMake sure the medical devices fit the patient and test and evaluate them to ensure they work as intended. Make adjustments to ensure proper fit, function and comfort.evaluate delivery of radiation treatmentevaluate delivery of radiation treatmentAnalyse and evaluate the radiation treatment to ensure that it appropriately meets the prescription.apply radiation protection proceduresapply radiation protection proceduresInspect rules related to ionising radiation and ensure these abide by the Medical Exposure Directive (MED).assess radiation responseassess radiation responseAnalyse the patient's response to radiation treatment and determine the course of action to be taken such as interrupting the treatment.perform transcranial magnetic stimulationperform transcranial magnetic stimulationPerform non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation of the brain using a rapidly changing magnetic field, in order to cause activity in specific or general parts of the brain and study the brain`s functi...develop radiation protection strategiesdevelop radiation protection strategiesDevelop strategies for facilities and organisations which are at risk for exposure to radiation or radioactive substances, such as hospitals and nuclear facilities, for the protection of people within...apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.advise on medical device featuresadvise on medical device featuresProvide information on how the medical device is functioning, what are its features, advantages and usability terms.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.perform dosimetry measurementsperform dosimetry measurementsMeasure and calculate doses received by patients and other persons subjected to nonmedical imaging procedures using medical radiological equipment. Select and maintain dosimetry related instrumentatio...use measurement instrumentsuse measurement instrumentsUse different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.monitor radiation levelsmonitor radiation levelsUse measuring and testing equipment and techniques to identify the levels of radiation or radioactive substances in order to control exposure and minimise health, safety, and environmental risks.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...measure physical phenomena in healthcaremeasure physical phenomena in healthcareDevelop, implement and maintain standards and protocols for the measurement of physical phenomena and for the use of nuclear technology in medical applications.ensure compliance with radiation protection regulationsensure compliance with radiation protection regulationsMake sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation.use treatment verification systemsuse treatment verification systemsCarry out various methods and verification systems to check and adapt radiation treatments according to the patient's responses.calculate exposure to radiationcalculate exposure to radiationCalculate radiation data about procedures, such as length and intensity of exposure.maintain medical devicesmaintain medical devicesEnsure all medical devices and appliances are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.
Optional (12) — show
contamination exposure regulationscontamination exposure regulationsThe regulations concerning exposure to contaminated materials or a hazardous environment which regulate the actions surrounding risk assessment, minimisation of further exposure, quarantine, and treat...general medicinegeneral medicineGeneral medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.statisticsstatisticsThe study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of ...cancer riskscancer risksThe risk factors related to cancer such as smoking, HIV, radiation, obesity, alcohol, environmental causes and diet.perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.teach medical scienceteach medical scienceInstruct students in the theory and practice of medical science, more specifically in human anatomy, medical treatment and therapy, medical diseases and conditions, physiology, and medical research.analyse experimental laboratory dataanalyse experimental laboratory dataAnalyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.conduct health related researchconduct health related researchConduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.operate scientific measuring equipmentoperate scientific measuring equipmentOperate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.implant brachytherapy treatmentsimplant brachytherapy treatmentsImplant radioactive sources into or adjacent to a specific target within the body and supervise all high-dose rate brachytherapy treatments.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

diagnostic radiographer11 shared essential skillsradiographer9 shared essential skillsnuclear medicine radiographer8 shared essential skillsradiation therapist8 shared essential skillsradiation protection officer7 shared essential skillsbiomedical scientist5 shared essential skillsnuclear technician5 shared essential skillsphysicist5 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a medical physics expert do?

Medical physics experts advice on matters related to radiation physics applied to medical exposure. They are responsible for dosimetry and the optimisation of the radiation protection of patients and other individuals subjected to medical exposure, including the application and use of diagnostic reference levels. Medical physics experts are involved in the selection of medical radiological equipment, the quality assurance including acceptance testing, the preparation of technical specifications, and the installation, design and surveillance of the medical radiological installations. They also analyse the events involving accidental or unintended medical exposures and are responsible for the training of practitioners and other staff in relevant aspects of radiation protection.

What skills does a medical physics expert need?

A medical physics expert needs 30 essential skills, including radiology, mathematics, radiation physics in healthcare, laboratory techniques, dosimetric planning.

Will AI replace medical physics expert jobs?

The AI disruption score for medical physics expert is 30/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: calculate exposure to radiation, densiometry, execute analytical mathematical calculations. Most resilient: work in multidisciplinary health teams, implant brachytherapy treatments, medical devices.

Quick Facts

SectorHealthcare
ISCO GroupHealth professionals
Essential Skills30

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