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Career Exploration

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Also called: Health Physics Technician (HP Tech), Radiation Protection Specialist (RP Specialist), Radiation Protection Technician (RPT), Radiochemical Technician

What they do:

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

On the job, you would:
  • Brief workers on radiation levels in work areas.
  • Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.
  • Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.
On the job, you'll need:

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Self Control

Operating system software

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Windows Server

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Analytical or scientific software

  • Gamma waste assay system GWAS
  • RESRAD

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $100,420

Education

Associate's degree or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.