FAQs | Irish College of Physicists in Medicine

FAQ

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ICPM

To maintain a Register of those deemed to be competent to perform work which demands scientific knowledge and expertise in the application of physics and applied physics to problems of healthcare delivery and development;
To establish and maintain standards of training and professional performance for medical physicists
To promote knowledge and to disseminate information relating to developments of the physical sciences in the medical field;
To promote the interests of it’s’ members.

WHAT ARE BENEFITS OF REGISTERING

Registration with the ICPM enables standards of safety, quality assurance and is intended to guard against unsafe, incompetent or unethical practice in Medical Physics.
Employers and patients can be assured that you meet standards of education, training and competence, and abide by professional and ethical standards.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO BECOME A FULL MEMBER

To join as a full member you must meet the eligibility criteria and have patient related experience, or undertake work that directly relates to the safety and health of the public, in Ireland.

Under normal circumstances you must have

an undergraduate honours degree, or equivalent, in the physical sciences suitable for membership of the IOP
a postgraduate qualification in Medical Physics, or equivalent
Have completed a Training Program in Medical Physics. This basic training period would normally take 2 years, as per the European recommendations for MPE.

You can demonstrate equivalence in your chosen speciality area by providing details of you work experience and CPD over an initial 2 year period.

Have at least 3 years post training experience in clinical medical physics.
Be employed as a clinical medical physicist

WHAT IF I DON’T FIT THE STANDARD ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The ICPM welcomes those who have entered the profession through other routes, providing they can demonstrate that their qualifications and competence are equivalent to those who have followed the standard route. For example

Non-graduates who have been assessed by the IOP as eligible for MPhys.
Contributions to research or scholarly activities in medical physics may be considered equivalent to a postgraduate qualification
Competence demonstrated by portfolio of work experience and CPD activities may be considered equivalent to a training program.

WHAT IF I’M REGISTERED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY

If you are registered in another jurisdiction having a Medical Physics Expert registration scheme recognised by EFMOP makes you eligible for membership following a period of experience in Ireland
You will still need to complete the application form with details of your registration in the other jurisdiction

WHAT SPECIALIST AREA SHOULD I SELECT

Diagnostic Radiology and Imaging Physics

is suitable for those whose primary work is in Diagnostic radiology physics, and is intended to meet the European recommendations for the Medical Physics Expert in Ionising Radiation

Sub-categories include but are not limited to; General X-Ray, Interventional Imaging, CT imaging, Nuclear Medicine Imaging and therapeutics, Dental X-Ray Radiology, Mammography, Radiation Protection for Diagnostic Radiology and/or Nuclear Medicine, dosimetry and measurement.

Therapeutic Applications of Ionising Radiation

is suitable for those whose primary work is in Radiotherapy radiology physics, and is intended to meet the European recommendations for the Medical Physics Expert in Ionising Radiation

Sub-categories include but are not limited to; External beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy (LDR, HDR), radio-isotope therapy, treatment planning and dose modelling, radiobiology modelling in radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, radiation protection for radiotherapy, radiotherapy dosimetry and measurement, image-guided radiotherapy.

Clinical Diagnostics and Therapeutics

is suitable for those whose primary work is in any other specialist area of Medical Physics such as Non-Ionising or Clinical Measurement.

Sub-categories include but are not limited to; MRI imaging, US imaging, Non-ionising therapies (Lasers, UV, thermal ultrasound, high energy ultrasound, cryogenics, radio-frequency ablation), physiological measurement methodologies (ICU monitoring), audiology and ophthalmology measurements, neurological measurement (EEG, ECG, EMG), respiratory and cardiac monitoring and interventional technology.