Become a board certified medical physicist (MPE)

MPEs are responsible for the safety and dosimetry of patients, clinical staff and clinical radiation applications. They perform all the tasks of a radiation protection officer for the physical-technical area of the various application areas of radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and radiology. In therapy, this includes radiation, therapy planning and verification. It also includes the introduction of new devices and techniques from the clinical side. In the diagnostic area, the monitoring of compliance with diagnostic reference values, the investigation and evaluation of incidents, and the preparation of risk analyses form the central tasks of the MPEs.

The main field of activity for medical physicists is clinical work in radiology, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. In order to work in Germany as a medical physics expert (MPE) in these clinical areas, you need, according to the German guideline Richtlinie Strahlenschutz in der Medizin (Radiation Protection in Medicine):

1. the appropriate education, such as the successful completion of a master's degree in medical physics or another master's degree including a technical interview at the DGMP to prove the necessary qualification level in medical physics
2. the proof of practical experience (Sachkunde), which proves theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the use or application of radioactive substances or ionizing radiation with an application area-specific specified minimum duration
3. the proof of successful participation in the respective required radiation protection courses.

On this basis, the competent authority grants the technical qualification in one or more fields of application.

After completing the medical physics study program at the TU Dortmund University and Ruhr University Bochum, you obtain the necessary level of qualification in medical physics in according to the DGMP and the guidelines „Radiation Protection in Medicine” and „Expertise and Knowledge in Radiation Protection for the Operation of X-Ray Facilities in Medicine or Dentistry”. Herewith, the prerequisite for suitable training as part of the recognition of expertise in radiation protection as a medical physics expert (point 1) is met.

Please note that despite successful completion of a DGMP-certified course of study, an expert interview may be required to acquire the board certification for medical physics experts in radiation protection. This case can occur, for example, if not all modules required in the study program certificate have been taken: The overview of all German medical physics degree programs and required modules can be found online. Students from other scientific and technical fields can also become MPEs, provided they can prove the completion of further training and thus meet all the requirements.

You can find out more about the German board certification on the DGMP homepage  and in an Interview with the DGMP advisors Prof. Dr. Martin Fiebich from the TH Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Enghardt from the Technische Universität Dresden. In addition, professors and (prospective) medical physics experts provide an insight into the job profile of the MPE in the DGMP imagefilm.