The following responsibilities are common for individuals in the Nuclear Technician field:

• Monitor employees radiation levels in work areas and practice safe operating procedures
• Calculate and measure safe radiation exposure times for personnel
• Collect samples of air, water, animals, plants, etc. to determine levels of radioactivity contamination
• Prepare samples for testing and analysis
• Decontaminate objects and materials with solvents, wire brushes and machines

A Day In The Life

There are several types of nuclear technicians.  And some technicians do more than one type of work.  Nuclear reactor technicians maintain and control the nuclear reactor and control the nuclear reaction processes.  They often spend their day working on remote-control instrument panels.  They also keep records and data and keeps track of safety standards and regulations to secure the nuclear reactor facility and its employees maintain healthy radiation levels within the established safety limits.

Decontamination technicians use special equipment to measure radiation exposure and radioactivity.  They work to decontaminate work areas, tools, work spaces, personnel and other materials to bring radiation levels back to safe working conditions.

They also work in a wide variety of other different jobs.  Some technicians measure radiation in the environment, while others trace radioactive isotopes in scientific experiments.  Others work in the healthcare industry.  Radiation treatments, for example, help treat patients with cancer.

Typical Work Schedule

Generally a full-time, 40 hour work week is required for this position.  Some over-time may be required.  Travel may also be required for this position.

Projected Job Growth

The job growth is fair.  Most jobs will be concentrated in the medical, waste management and safety standard control areas.

Typical Employers

Nuclear Technicians typically work for a range of different industries.  Some of them include government agencies like the Navy, power companies, laboratories and nuclear power plants.