Looking ahead

There are over 1,500 medical physicists in the UK, most of whom work in the NHS. Others work for private hospitals, medical equipment manufacturers, research organisations and government organisations.

The total number of medical physicists in the UK has risen in recent years, and continues to expand. The NHS has a central recruitment centre for clinical scientist trainees, including medical physicists, known as the Clinical Scientists Recruitment Centre.

Once you have been appointed to a Grade B position, any further progression is on merit and performance. Only a small number of medical physicists are appointed to Grade C positions. These positions have equivalent status to a medical consultant, and usually involve the management of a scientific department or a major departmental section.

You could move into work outside the NHS, or go into training. It is common for medical physicists to move between employers in order to progress. There are some opportunities to work abroad.

Alternative suggestions

Other possibilities would include biomedical engineer, clinical biochemist, doctor, electrical/electronic engineer, optometrist, pharmacologist or radiographer.

Take-home pay

A Grade A trainee in the NHS currently earns between £17,500 and £22,500 a year.

At Grade B, the main professional grade, you should earn between £23,000 and £43,000 a year.

Grade C staff earn between £41,500 and £67,000 a year. An additional allowance is paid to medical physicists working in or near London. Salaries in the private sector can be higher.

Effects

In the NHS, you would normally expect to work a 37 hour week, from Monday to Friday, although on-call evening or weekend work is sometimes necessary in some specialisms.

Sources of information

NHS Careers: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
NHS Scotland: www.nhscareers.scot.nhs.uk
NHS Wales: www.wales.nhs.uk
Clinical Scientists Recruitment Centre: www.nhsclinicalscientists.info
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine: www.ipem.ac.uk
Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Agency: www.n-i.nhs.uk/medicalphysics