Will “Health Physics Technician (HP Tech)” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.

• Determine intensities and types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials, using radiation detectors or other instruments.

• Decontaminate objects by cleaning with soap or solvents or by abrading with wire brushes, buffing wheels, or sandblasting machines.

• Enter data into computers to record characteristics of nuclear events or to locate coordinates of particles.

• Place radioactive waste, such as sweepings or broken sample bottles, into containers for shipping or disposal.

• Prepare reports describing contamination tests, material or equipment decontaminated, or methods used in decontamination processes.

• Collect samples of air, water, gases, or solids to determine radioactivity levels of contamination.

• Calibrate and maintain chemical instrumentation sensing elements and sampling system equipment, using calibration instruments and hand tools.

• Analyze samples, such as air or water samples, for contaminants or other elements.

• Determine or recommend radioactive decontamination procedures, according to the size and nature of equipment and the degree of contamination.

• Inform supervisors when individual exposures or area radiation levels approach maximum permissible limits.

• Provide initial response to abnormal events or to alarms from radiation monitoring equipment.

• Brief workers on radiation levels in work areas.

• Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.

• Set up equipment that automatically detects area radiation deviations and test detection equipment to ensure its accuracy.

• Instruct personnel in radiation safety procedures and demonstrate use of protective clothing and equipment.