NukeWorker Forum

Career Path => Radiation Safety => Topic started by: RadconRY on Aug 29, 2019, 06:03

Title: RCT Career Path
Post by: RadconRY on Aug 29, 2019, 06:03
Been a shipyard RCT(federal) for about three years. Working on getting NRRPT test but with a liberal arts degree I need a few more years. I love my job but crave a career path with the ability to problem solve and think critically.I'm open to a masters or even taking more undergrad courses to get prerequisites to be accepted into a health physics graduate program. I know there are stark differences in health physics vs radon tech jobs but will I be able to market my tech experience in pursuit of health physicists positions?
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: xobxnuke on Aug 29, 2019, 08:14
yes to a point...minimize your meter swinging time if you want to end up flying a desk though...prioritize education...forget nrrpt and spend that time prepping for chp

but the best advice for a smart youngun would be...get a 2 year degree in computerology unless you are already at that level...start your own biz in the computer world and if needed, swing a meter for cash flow...you would have plenty of opportunity to problem solve and think critically!

after you stop laughing consider this...the commercial nuclear power biz is in decline so long term job security is dubious and before you write me off i have been in the biz since 1980...worked construction, d&d, and mostly power...bachelors in hp from a great school and spent about a third of my career climbing the ladder then went 'on the road' because of better money and flexibility...a beach bum can't beat 3 and 4 month summers off!
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: scotoma on Sep 02, 2019, 08:28
There are opportunities if you don't mind ravelling a bit. A few outages swinging a meter will help you get a feel for the commercial industry. There are plenty of jobs coming up in the decommissioning field that will challenge your problem solving skills. Holtec and Northstar are a couple of the popular players, and there are others. You could be stationed somewhere for a few months up to several years. There are also DOE sites like Idaho National Labs, Hanford Reservation, Oak Ridge, et. al., that could have long term work.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: Chimera on Sep 18, 2019, 08:56
I'm still trying to figure out what a "radon tech job" is.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: GLW on Sep 18, 2019, 11:17
you do know NAVSEA 08 employs health physicists,....

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/supervisory-health-physicist-instructor-at-us-fleet-forces-command-1474795528 (https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/supervisory-health-physicist-instructor-at-us-fleet-forces-command-1474795528)

commercial is shrinking, you're already in a program that will be around as long as you will be in the workforce,...


you could ask around in your own backyard on how to move up,...


a couple that I started with at KAPL/KSO in '88 pursued that very path with success,....


others did not,....

I'm just sayin',... :-\
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: Brett LaVigne on Sep 18, 2019, 11:37
I'm still trying to figure out what a "radon tech job" is.

I don't care what it is. I just want to know how much per diem it pays.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: Marlin on Sep 18, 2019, 01:02
I'm still trying to figure out what a "radon tech job" is.

I was curious if there was such a thing so I did a search, the only Radon Tech I could find was a radon abatement technician who installed mitigation equipment.


I now return you to the Twilight Zone of Nukeworker discussions. (yes, I am also guilty)  [OT]




 8)
 
 [coffee]
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: RDTroja on Sep 18, 2019, 06:20
I have met a lot of Radon Techs. They are kind of vaporous, just float around being annoying without causing much damage and then they fade away with a fairly short half-life.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: fiveeleven on Sep 19, 2019, 09:17
Well said RDT. I just figured why bother harpooning the individual for his 86 protons tech reference - hell, he's just a yard bird.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: SloGlo on Sep 19, 2019, 10:47
radon techs don't make squat, and diem is non-existent. at the power play hay day inn the late 80s, early 90s, grate money was $8/hr.  too git that yins had two bee writing procedures n interfacing wit regulators moor than dune sampling n meter reed thing. companies paying the best had the tightest wallets. still got sum i.o.u.s sum ware around hear. aye think they awl went out of bizness.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: Mounder on Sep 20, 2019, 09:20
Without the bachelors with core natural sciences classes, you're not likely to advance past radcon supervisor.  Getting enough of the classes to take and pass the NRRPT, and being a vet, opens a lot of health physics doors in the federal government.  A 1306 Health Physicist is a professional who for the most part: has a bachelors in health physics, or is a CHP or is a RRPT.  They give equal credit for the NRRPT or CHP.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: Rennhack on Sep 21, 2019, 11:05
They give equal credit for the NRRPT or CHP.

That is terrible.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: xobxnuke on Sep 21, 2019, 11:18
That is terrible.


understatement!
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: scotoma on Sep 22, 2019, 07:53
If you play golf, that may make you eligible for higher positions
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: fiveeleven on Sep 22, 2019, 12:37
Radiological Controls Tech., Radon Tech., NRRPT, CHP - As eluded to previously - It really doesnt matter how radiation interacts with matter, ah but until it does matter, and then it matters a lot. Lets not forget- yardturds are after all federal employees just like AOC and Bernie. Rn's daddy is 88Ra226 but it really doesnt matter now does it. They still all wind up Pb or Bi. The yard birds in the sail makers shop at Portsmouth circa early 80's were the finest glove bag/general enclosure fabricators I ever personally encountered.
Title: Re: RCT Career Path
Post by: GLW on Sep 22, 2019, 01:04
Radiological Controls Tech., Radon Tech., NRRPT, CHP - As eluded too previously - It really doesnt matter how radiation interacts with matter, ah but until it does matter, and then it matters a lot. Lets not forget- yardturds are after all federal employees just like AOC and Bernie. A Rn tech's daddy is 88Ra226 but it really doesnt matter now does it. They still all wind up Pb or Bi. The yard birds in the sail makers shop at Portsmouth circa early 80's were the finest glove bag/general enclosure fabricators I ever personally encountered.

well, we use to put out some pretty good product using the RF welder on the R-5 barge back in 87-88,....

of course, one or two of 'em couldn't put together an air-tight seal to save their selves,....

and one or two of us were magicians with it,...