Radiation protection practitioner

Radiation protection is a specialist area of health and safety, open to scientists and engineers looking to apply their skills to fields ranging from medicine to environmental protection

As a radiation protection practitioner, you'll use scientific techniques and equipment to measure and monitor radiation, assess risks and ensure the safety of the workplace, the general public and the environment, working within both nuclear and non-nuclear industries.

You'll also give advice and guidance about the possible hazards of ionising radiation, such as X-rays, as well as radioactive materials and waste. This can include advising about legal requirements and making recommendations for design improvements. Some practitioners also advise on non-ionising matters, such as radar, mobile phone mast, laser and ultraviolet light radiation.

Types of radiation protection work

You may work within a particular area, such as:

• defence
• energy
• environmental protection
• government regulation
• manufacturing
• medical - ensuring the safety of diagnostic equipment
• nuclear - medicine, waste management and decommissioning
• research
• teaching.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will depend on the area of radiation protection you work in, but you may need to:

• ensure that radiation safety regulations are observed
• draw up and implement radiation protection policies and procedures
• monitor and maintain records of radiological and environmental conditions
• develop and review radiation protection systems and inspect their operation
• liaise with management and the workforce (including plant managers, designers, engineers, laboratory staff, academics, accountants and other health and safety professionals) on matters of radiation safety and legislation
• ensure all staff are fully trained and supervised
• provide a dosimetry service and measure radiation, using both basic and complex scientific equipment
• assess radiation risks in the workplace and advise on the design of plant, equipment and waste disposal to ensure safety
• ensure all equipment and devices are maintained properly
• assess the impact of releasing radioactive material on the environment
• advise on the safe transport of radioactive materials
• prepare emergency plans and contingency procedures for responding to radiation incidents
• lead and coordinate enquiries into accidents or incidents
• visit companies to provide radiation protection consultancy and write reports based on these visits
• liaise with inspectorates and other bodies
• identify training needs and lecture and/or train other staff.

Salary

• Salaries for radiation protection practitioners generally range from £22,000 to £30,000.
• Radiation protection advisers (RPAs) can expect to earn between £35,000 and £65,000 depending on the role and the industry. Salaries at senior/management level may be more.
• In the NHS, radiation protection professionals start on Band 5 as healthcare science practitioners, progressing to roles in Band 7 and Band 8 with experience and clinical scientist status. Salaries in these bands range from £50,952 to £96,376.
• With even further experience and additional qualifications it may be possible to reach Band 9 in the NHS.

NHS salaries may be supplemented with area weightings.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Typical working hours of 9am to 5pm are common, but extra hours, including weekends or shifts, may be required. There may be some on-call work to provide cover for emergency arrangements and to attend in the event of an incident.

Part-time work and career breaks may be available.

What to expect

• Opportunities exist in most large towns and cities, at hospitals and universities, and in rural areas where major sites in the nuclear industry are located.
• Self-employment or freelance work is possible after significant experience and qualification as an RPA.
• Ionising protection regulations may require you to undergo personal monitoring of exposure to radiation and medical surveillance.
• Having to travel locally is unlikely if you work in the nuclear industry or hospital trusts, but may be common if you're working as a contractor or inspector.
• You may need to travel abroad for some posts, for example with research organisations or national advisory bodies or for overseas projects. You may also have to meet and advise overseas customers.

Qualifications

You'll usually need a degree in a science or numerate discipline to become a radiation protection practitioner. Relevant subjects include:

• biology
• biochemistry
• chemistry
• electrical or electronic engineering
• environmental health
• environmental science (biological)
• maths
• medical laboratory science
• nuclear engineering
• physics/applied physics
• physiology
• radiography.

Direct entry without a degree or with an HND only is unlikely, although entry into a radiation protection technician position is possible. You would then need to complete further study and gain experience to progress to the practitioner role.

Postgraduate study at Masters, MPhil or PhD level can be useful. Relevant subjects include radiation and environmental protection, medical radiation physics and nuclear safety. For a list of relevant courses, see The Society for Radiological Protection (SRP).

To enter into radiation safety physics in the NHS, you'll need to follow the clinical scientist route. The NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) is open to graduates who hold a 1st or 2:1 in a science or engineering subject, or a 2:2 with a relevant Masters or PhD. This programme trains you to work in a senior scientist role in a variety of areas, including radiotherapy physics, radiation safety, imaging (ionising) radiation, imaging (non-ionising) radiation, MRI and ultrasound. Find out more about the role of a clinical scientist in medical physics.

To work in radiation physics, you can apply for the NHS Practitioner Training Programme, an undergraduate training scheme that includes work-based and academic learning. Your first two years of scientific training are broad, and you'll then specialise in the third year. You'll complete an accredited BSc (Hons) in healthcare science (radiation physics). On completion of the programme you will be eligible to work as a healthcare science practitioner.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• the ability to apply scientific theory to day-to-day problem solving
• good numeracy skills
• excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information simply to a range of stakeholders
• the capacity to think clearly in an emergency
• good teamworking skills
• a practical and innovative approach to work
• good attention to detail
• the ability to negotiate with tact and diplomacy
• good management and leadership skills (for more senior positions).

Work experience

Work experience in a relevant field can help you build contacts and may improve your chances of securing full-time employment. Look out for summer internships or vacation work or consider taking a year out in industry as part of your course to develop your skills.

Becoming a member of a relevant professional body helps you keep up to date with news and developments, and you can do this as a student. For example, you can get access to publications, conferences, career development advice, bursaries and networking opportunities with The Society for Radiological Protection (SRP).

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Radiation protection practitioners are employed in both the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors. They work for, or provide services to, a range of employers, including:

• the nuclear industry, including nuclear waste and decommissioning
• electricity generating companies
• general industry, including radiography, source manufacture, transport and instrumentation (e.g. those manufacturing radioisotopes for industry, hospitals and research establishments)
• the NHS, which employs clinical scientists (radiation safety) to ensure the safe and effective use of radiation in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients in hospitals
• veterinary practices
• the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and its contractors, which operate nuclear dockyards and nuclear weapons establishments
• environmental protection agencies such as the Environment Agency (EA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• private sector radiation protection consultancies
• mobile phone companies
• research establishments run by the science research councils (for a list see UK Research and Innovation), and those run by charities such as Cancer Research UK
• universities and colleges, where the role may be combined with other responsibilities
• independent regulators such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• executive agencies such as Public Health England (PHE) - Radiation Protection Services. From October 2021, radiation services currently provided within PHE will be transferred to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Look for job vacancies at:

• Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
• Jobs.ac.uk - for jobs in academic institutions
• New Scientist Jobs
• NHS Jobs and NHSScotland Jobs
• The Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) - vacancies available to members.

The SRP provides a list of affiliate members who recruit radiation protection specialists.

Professional development

Most employers provide on-the-job training to supplement formal education/qualifications and may also send staff on short courses on specific aspects of radiation protection.

Training courses for radiation protection professionals are offered by a range of organisations such as Nuvia. They provide training in areas such as radiation health and safety, and radiation safety training services. It's also possible to take a postgraduate course in radiation protection or related subjects. Some employers may provide support for obtaining these qualifications.

It's essential you keep up to date with changes in the industry and develop your expertise. Membership of professional bodies such as the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (AURPO), IPEM and the SRP is useful in terms of career support, events, courses, conferences and networking opportunities.

With experience, you can progress to the role of radiation protection adviser (RPA) or radioactive waste adviser (RWA). To work as either an RPA or RWA, you'll need a Certificate of Core Competence from RPA 2000, the assessing body recognised by the HSE (RPA)and the UK Environment Agencies (RWA). The Certificate is valid for five years and must then be renewed. Courses such as the AURPO/University of Strathclyde Certificate of Professional Development in Radiation Protection can help demonstrate that you have the necessary core knowledge and competencies.

Experienced radiation protection practitioners can apply for professional registration through the Radiation Protection Council. There are three levels of registration available depending on your qualifications, skills and experience:

• Technical Radiation Protection Professional (TechRadP)
• Incorporated Radiation Protection Professional (IRadP)
• Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP).

Career prospects

Most major employers have a good career structure and there are opportunities, particularly on the operational side, for early responsibility and promotion. To advance your career it may be necessary to move from one employer to another. Some radiation protection practitioners start their career in one sector, for example the nuclear industry, and then move to another sector.

If you're working in operational radiation protection, you'll typically progress to the role of RPA or RWA. Career development will usually come in the form of either technical or managerial progression. You may choose to specialise in a particular area, for example non-ionising radiation or medical X-ray equipment.

Promotion within the NHS will usually be from clinical scientist to principal and then lead scientist. As you progress, you're likely to become involved in the management of a large department or major departmental section. You may also work as a medical physics expert.

With experience, you may choose to work as a freelance consultant or set up your own consultancy. There are also opportunities to move into education and research.