Radiation protection officer — Amy Elliott

After completing the MSc Physics at the University of Warwick and carrying out oncology research at the University of Oxford, Amy secured a role as a laser protection adviser (LPA) and radiation protection officer (RPO) for Aurora Health Physics

How did you get your job in radiation protection?

At university, I enjoyed my medical physics modules the most. I had a summer project at Walsgrave Hospital, which led me to apply for my first job in oncology research at the University of Oxford.

Here, I was responsible for managing various radiation sources and providing research support. My line manager noticed my interest in radiation protection and put me on the AURPO (Association of University Radiation Protection Officers) Certificate of Professional Development in Radiation Protection.

I enjoyed the course and was invited to the AURPO Conference, where I met many radiation protection professionals, including Aurora Health Physics. We got chatting at the conference, and they offered me an interview.

What does the role involve?

I learn about how businesses or organisations use radiation, and then compare this to the legal requirements for that work. My tasks involve:

• ensuring full legal compliance
• preparing for accidents or emergencies
• teaching people how to use radiation safely.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy seeing cutting-edge science research, product development, or simply experiencing amazing locations.

I have seen how naval ships are built, fusion reactors, and the complexities of managing radioactive materials in veterinary institutions, as well as aeroplane engines with radioactive components. I have also advised on the safe limits for lasers used to connect shuttles to manned space stations.

I am always learning new things and getting to talk to people at the top of their field about their work and research.

What are the primary challenges facing the healthcare sector?

In healthcare, the issues relate to:

• time
• funding
• fast staff turnover.

To comply with legal requirements, a specific amount of documentation must be completed and training delivered. Ensuring that key safety personnel, who often have other responsibilities, have the time to complete this documentation and apply it is challenging.

Additionally, providing training to staff who frequently relocate to ensure that everyone has the required level of training is also a constant challenge.

Healthcare funding for training is stretched, but is so needed. It is remarkable how often I speak to medical professionals about radiation or lasers, and they have no idea about the true consequences of misuse or the legal requirements associated with the work.

What are the biggest issues in radiation protection?

The main challenge is that this career choice is not well-known. Therefore, there is a severe lack of qualified radio protection advisers (RPAs), and as more retire, concerns arise about the future of the field. Informing people about the role and encouraging them to explore radiation protection is vital to ensure that we have enough RPAs to support all companies that use radiation.

In addition, radiation equipment, such as X-rays and lasers, is being produced quickly and cheaply, and we observe a significant amount of equipment that does not meet the required standards and is not inherently safe.

As with most industries, AI-generated content raises concerns. I have had a few clients try to write AI-generated risk assessments or ask AI to calculate doses or laser safety calculations. The results are typically incorrect and do not make sense, and would certainly not meet the expectations of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

In what ways is your degree relevant to the role?

My physics degree provided me with a solid understanding of radiation and lasers, while also developing strong problem-solving skills and a broader understanding of science in general.

This comes in handy when you are presented with a new piece of equipment or research and need to understand how it works in order to provide the best possible advice to the client.

What are your career ambitions?

I would like to achieve my RPA and radioactive waste adviser (RWA) certifications. I would also like to be on our technical advisory board and do more outreach to students.

What advice can you give to others interested in entering this field?

• Reach out to professional bodies, such as The Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) or AURPO, or a radiation protection adviser company. I'm sure they would be happy to discuss career options with you.
• Apply for roles, even if you don't know much about radiation protection, but are simply interested in the job. Many RPA bodies have training positions.
• Attend a conference, SRP or AURPO event to meet people in the field.
• If your company, university or organisation has an RPA or RPO, ask them for a chat.

Find out more

• Explore the role of a radiation protection practitioner.
• Consider what else you can do with a physics degree.
• Discover more about the industry from The SRP.