A medical radiation physicist studies and uses radioactive material in medical devices to treat diseases such as cancer. These workers improve existing radiation technology while also developing novel alternatives. A medical radiation physicist also collaborates with technicians to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of radioactive devices, such as X-ray machines.
When used correctly, radioactive materials can help patients improve their chances of survival by putting cancerous tumors into remission. The medical radiation physicist must use his or her scientific background to experiment with various radioactive material ratios; correctly calculated radiation levels help a patient, whereas incorrect or excessive levels can easily injure or kill a patient.
The medical radiation physicist must also consider how the radiation is delivered to the patient. These researchers must design a treatment position that is comfortable for the patient, such as lying down or sitting in a chair. Depending on the patient’s overall condition, radiation must be able to cover the entire person or only a specific area. Physicists must find the most effective treatment while keeping the human element of comfort in mind.
As technology advances, new devices and treatment options become available; the medical radiation physicist must be able to modify existing machines and develop new types of radiation devices in order to assist more patients. As an alternative to current materials, a new radioactive mixture may be available. Physicists must test the new alternative to see if it is suitable for widespread use or if it is only suitable for specific treatment needs.
In addition to the common X-ray, radiation is used in a variety of other applications. Physicists will collaborate with X-ray technicians to ensure that they are aware of the amount of radiation required to produce a clear image for doctors to examine. In addition, the medical radiation physicist will instruct technicians on how to operate the X-ray machine safely. To avoid constant radiation exposure, the technician might be told to stay behind a thick wall during an X-ray procedure.
In addition to individual instruction, the physicist may deliver a lecture on safe radiation levels to a group of technicians and other personnel. Furthermore, the physicists will notify all personnel whenever any safety parameters change, such as standing 6 feet (1.88 meters) away from a radiation machine rather than 4 feet (1.21 meters). Employees who work in the medical industry for a long time should be aware of the dangers of excessive radiation and its effects on the human body; employees who work in the medical industry for a long time can be vulnerable to radiation poisoning if safety precautions are not followed.