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Choose your favorite topic in science, then explore it.

Learn more about nuclear power, the different fuels and methods used, and the benefits and challenges of using nuclear power.

Learn about how nuclear power works.

Take a virtual tour of Darlington Nuclear Power Plant—complete with fun facts about nuclear power! Are you interested in working in an environment like this?

Tour a nuclear power plant.

Nuclear monitoring technicians calculate safe radiation exposure levels for plant workers. Learn more about radiation exposure by exploring this chart outlining different exposure levels, from everyday experiences to large-scale nuclear accidents.

Learn more about radiation exposure.

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

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

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

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Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

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Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

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Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Nuclear Technicians

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Immerse samples in chemical compounds to prepare them for testing.

Confer with scientists directing projects to determine significant events to monitor during tests.

Operate manipulators from outside cells to move specimens into or out of shielded containers, to remove specimens from cells, or to place specimens on benches or equipment work stations.

Air purifying respirators

Air sampling devices

Airline respirators

Alpha air monitors

Alpha/beta counting systems

Alpha/beta surface contamination monitors

Area gamma monitors

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Overview

Career

What Nuclear Monitoring Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Nuclear Monitoring Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Overview

Career

What Nuclear Monitoring Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Nuclear Monitoring Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders