Nuclear Technician Job Description

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Nuclear Med Techs are responsible for providing patients with radioactive medication and operating technology to track the radiation within the patient's body. Their duties include sterilizing needles, preparing patients for a Scan and processing image reports that show the presence of disease. Nuclear Medicine technologists and Nuclear Medicine phyicians work together to look for potential problems in a patient's internal organs, bones and muscles.

They give radioactive medication to patients through injection, inhalation oral administration, which allows the radiation to be used to see infections, tumors or signs of an internal disorder. Nuclear Medicine Technologists use technology to take pictures for the Physician. They are in charge of implementing safety procedures to protect patients and medical staff from unnecessary exposure to radiation.

A Nuclear Medicine Technologist position requires a minimum of an associate degree in nuclear medicine, but many employers prefer people with a bachelor's degree. Some candidates can become qualified for the position by combining a 12 month certification program in nuclear medicine technology with an associate or bachelor's degree program in a health field. Nuclear Medicine Technologists are not required to be licensed, but they do have to get some sort of certification.

Employers often require candidates to be certified regardless of state regulations. Nuclear Medicine Technologists and Radiologists work with different types of equipment, but they both have the same specialty. Nuclear Medicine Technologists help patients get scans with equipment that will help the Doctor see potential problems.

x-rays are used to diagnose disease by radiologists. Nuclear Medicine Technologists are not Doctors but have a technical certification from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare the treatment room before patients arrive, adjusting the temperature and humidity before running quality control tests on the scanner.

The Need for Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Nuclear medicine technologists need an associate's degree from an accredited program. Nuclear medicine technology and related healthcare fields can lead to a certificate, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree. Nuclear medicine technologists must be licensed.

Over the next decade, about 1,500 openings for nuclear medicine technologists are projected. Many openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire. Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and give drugs to patients.

They provide technical support to doctors who diagnose, care for, and treat patients and to researchers who investigate uses of radioactive drugs. They may act as emergency responders in the event of a nuclear disaster. Nuclear medicine technologists use radioactive drugs to help diagnose patients.

They may inject radiopharmaceuticals into a patient with foot pain and use special scanning equipment that captures images of the bones, and a radiologist interprets the scans to identify the source of the patient's pain. Nuclear medicine technologists deliver radiopharmaceuticals to tumors to treat medical conditions. Internal radiation treatment can be used in conjunction with surgery.

Nuclear medicine technologists are usually full time. Nuclear medicine technologists work odd hours. They may be on call if they work in hospitals.

Nuclear Engineering: Career Opportunities in the Military

Nuclear engineers work to harness the energy released from nuclear reactions. Nuclear engineering deals with the application of nuclear energy in a variety of settings, including nuclear power plants, submarine propulsion systems, medical diagnostic equipment, food production, nuclear weapons and radioactive-waste disposal facilities. The military has had a great influence on nuclear engineering.

The military made contributions to nuclear power generation. The first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, was ordered in 1951 and launched in 1954. Over the next three decades, Rickover led the design and construction of dozens of nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers.

A newly graduated nuclear engineer with a bachelor's degree made an average salary of over $80,000 as of July of this year. A senior engineer with a master's degree and more than 15 years of experience made from 97,012 to $145,880, while a midlevel engineer with a master's degree and five to 10 years of experience made from 75,157 to $117,138. Many engineers with advanced degrees are promoted to management positions.

Nuclear engineers' employment is projected to grow 9 percent from 2012 to 2022, about the same as the average for all occupations, according to the BLS. Employment trends in power generation may be good because of the need to upgrade safety systems. Highly qualified applicants should be able to find many opportunities, particularly those who have kept up with the latest developments in technology.

Nuclear Technicians: The Role of Technology and Science in the Construction, Maintenance And Repair Of Power Plant Equipment

Nuclear power plants have systems that are monitored by operating technicians. They measure the levels of radiation in water systems. They can find levels that could indicate a leak or decrease the efficiency of the power plants.

They measure efficiency and ensure safety by using factors such as temperature, pressure, and radiation intensity. Repairs and adjustments are made to maintain or improve the performance of equipment. Radiation protection technicians are on hand to protect personnel in nuclear power facilities.

They use radiation detectors to measure levels in and around facilities, and they use dosimeters to measure levels in people and objects. Radiation levels are mapped and technicians recommend safety procedures for personnel. They watch for worker activity from a control room and alert personnel who may be entering a dangerous area or working in an unsafe way.

Nuclear technicians work in waste management and treatment facilities to monitor the disposal, recycling, and storage of nuclear waste. They are similar to radiation protection technicians at nuclear power plants. Nuclear technicians must be careful when working with nuclear materials.

They have to wear protective gear and have badges that show if they have been exposed to radiation. Hardhats, hearing and eye protection, plastic suits, and respirators are some of the protective gear. Nuclear technicians need an associate's degree in nuclear science or a related technology.

The Nuclear Energy Field

Radiographers use X-ray machines to make pictures of metal objects. Radiographers use radioactive film to distinguish cracks and other flaws in objects they have radiographed. Hot-cell technicians use remote control equipment to do their work.

Hot cells are rooms that are encased in concrete shields. A set of mechanical arms and hands is used by technicians to work with radioactive materials inside a hot cell. Nuclear technicians work in a variety of jobs.

Some technicians measure radiation levels. Others trace radioactive substances. Nuclear technicians work in the health field.

Hospitals often use radiation treatment on patients with cancer. Most employers of nuclear technicians hire workers with an associate's degree from a community college or technical school, or a minimum of two years of specialized training in nuclear technology. Workers need on-the-job training as well as their formal education.

Workers must study new developments throughout their careers because the field changes rapidly. Nuclear reactor operators must be licensed by the government. It usually takes about a year of experience to get ready for the written and operating tests.

Nuclear Technicians: The Role of Radiation Protection and Communication Skills

Nuclear technicians work in offices and control rooms in nuclear power plants, where they use computers and other equipment to monitor and help operate nuclear reactor. Nuclear technicians work variable schedules in the nuclear power industry. Their schedules may include working nights and holidays.

Nuclear technicians must take precautions to avoid exposure to radiation. Over the decade, 700 openings for nuclear technicians are projected each year. The openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or retire.

Communication skills are important. Nuclear technicians are given instructions from scientists and engineers. They have to ask questions to understand.

Nuclear technicians must explain their work to others. They must warn others of hazardous conditions. Critical- thinking skills are important.

Nuclear technicians must carefully evaluate all available information before making a decision. Radiation protection technicians must evaluate data from radiation detectors to determine if areas are safe and develop decontamination plans if they are not. The annual wage for nuclear technicians was $84,190 in May 2020.

Certifications in Nuclear Technology

The BLS states that the average annual salary for a Nuclear Technician was $84,190. The highest 10% of people earned over $117,000 per year. Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution were the top-earning industries.

The BLS reports a decline in job opportunities between 2020 and 2030. Alternative forms of power will add 700 new jobs per year in the field of nuclear technology, due to the decreasing use of traditional power generation. While a license is not necessary, completing applicable certifications can help you in your career and let employers know how serious you are about your trade.

Psychiatry: A Career in the Information Technology Industry

Once education is completed, psychiatrists can choose from a variety of career options. Different employers offer different challenges and opportunities to work with different populations. People interested in working with mental illness will find work in an emergency room rewarding, while those looking to work one-on-one with clients will find work in a residential care facility rewarding.

The brains of modern medicine are the registered health information technicians who are charged with gathering and storing all the moving parts, and also with keeping unneeded info. Medical equipment technicians are essential to the smooth operation of a hospital or medical facility. Understand the skills and experience required to enter and advance in the field.