Toli et al,
It is my experience that when postings are made, there is very little interest. Just because something is "preferred" doesn't mean it is mandatory.
Regarding standards for entry level HPs, I would look to the requirements for CHP test taking and eliminate the experience requirement. Another good test is to see if you meet the requirements for participating in a HP Masters Degree program. Of course that is not all there is to it, but gives a general idea of what is required. One of the first things I did after passing Part 1 was update my resume. When CHP is preferred, and you have completed Part 1, you are well on your way.
Having a degree in physics doesn't necessarily qualify you in everyone's eyes, though it is about as good as it gets outside an HP degree. Does the candidate have any experience doing HP work (summer internships). Anyone doing HP for a while realizes that it is a multidisciplinary field. That is one of the things that attracted me to it. Lots of biology, physiology, chemistry, ecology, geology, hydrology, etc, and physics (though some physicists think the others are merely subsets of physics, and if you can have a good discussion on how, you are probably qualified).
There are lots of excellent books out there relating to HP. This is why so many people are good at it regardless of their degree.
Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu [mailto:owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu]On Behalf Of Toli Mikell
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2003 2:40 AM
To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
Subject: Non-CHPs in the health physics job market
Radsafers:
One thing I've noticed is that in the health physics job market, professional opportunities seem to be few and far between for non-CHP's. (Note: I'm not currently looking for a job.) It seems as if non-CHPs are generally limited to technician level positions. What compounds this problem is, that according the ABHP, technician level experience does not satisfy the experience requirement for certification. The lack of professional entry level health physics positions for non-CHPs steers away recent college grads who might consider a career in health physics. As evidence of this, take note of how many people under age 30 are at a Health Physics Society meeting. If you can count them with more than one hand I'd be surprised. Think about it, you don't need to be a PE to get an entry level engineering job right out of college. Do yo! u really need to be a CHP to be an entry level health physicist?
The problem seems to me that there seems to be no recognized standard of achievement for non-CHP's. The easiest analogy that comes to mind would be the Boy Scouts. Let's say that a CHP would be equivalent to an Eagle Scout. You could assign different "merit badges" for various levels of experience and understanding (similar to the varying levels of Cub Scouts). If there were some sort of scale that would be universally accepted, perhaps employers can better tailor job qualifications and salary accordingly. Yes, I am aware that there is a Part I to the certification exam, but I have yet to see this specifically referenced as a qualifier in a job posting.
I'd like to hear what others (especially non-CHP's) think about this.
Toli Mikell
(About the author: I'm a Health Physicist (non-CHP) for a health care services company with a B.S. in Physics. I'm 28 and have been invol! ved in health physics since graduating college in 1998.)
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