Health Physics Technician

Health Physics Technician
Envisaged Hours: 37.5 hrs per week, 07:45 - 16:00

Job Description:
The Health Physics Group at UKAEA Culham provides routine advisory and monitoring services to site projects to assist in compliance with Health and Safety laws.
Health Physics Technicians are required to maintain and reliably deliver a routine radiological protection and occupational hygiene service and to provide specialised monitoring support for a wide range of radiological and workplace hazards.
Health Physics Technicians are required to provide operational Health Physics advice as requested to engineers and plant technicians for radiological and beryllium related tasks at Culham (JET/MRF/MDF & MAST-U projects).
The post holder will need to be designated as radiation monitored worker under the IRR17 and under site procedures will be a registered beryllium worker for which a medical examination is required. They will also need to be medically fit to wear pressurised suits and other respiratory protective equipment.

Responsibilities and duties:
May be required to undertake the following duties:
Perform routine surface and airborne contamination monitoring for the control of radiological and beryllium hazards for assessment of site working procedures;
Respond to urgent requests for Health Physics cover for radiological protection and/or occupational hygiene advice and provide advice and monitoring in response to incidents, including spills, leaks, releases of radioactivity, chemical release or for site emergency conditions;
Set up work areas with the appropriate designation for radiological/beryllium and ensure control measures are correctly applied and written procedures followed as per work permits and authorisations.
Provide advice and assistance to RO's relating to the setting up of radiological and beryllium controlled areas specific to the work involved;
Change and count stack discharge samples for alpha/beta/gamma/tritium and beryllium contamination;
Audit of NDT radiography operations to ensure compliance with the regulations;
Prepare samples for counting, use of liquid scintillation counters and assist in the laboratory when required;
Complete documents and record forms for transfers of materials from radiological and beryllium areas. Produce clear chronological reports on the results of contamination monitoring.
Performing confined space atmospheric checks and other occupational hygiene measurements for hazardous chemicals as required for work control;
Responsible for advice and control of radioactive and beryllium waste disposal where required;
Provide cover for overtime, shifts and on-call support (Health Physics Duty Technician) when required;
Assist with the training of new team members.
Other Health Physics related functions as determined by operational priority. The role requires responding to incident situations at Culham site, and acting as a nominated deputy for the HPS. The role holder will be expected to be part of the emergency on-call team for on-site incidents and for off-site RADSAFE response.
The role requires flexibility and to take hands-on approach with the routine services of the Health Physics Technicians.

Qualifications Required: Minimum City & Guilds Radiation Safety Practice Stage 1 or the Level 2 Diploma in Radiation Protection or successful completion of Health Physics Apprentice Scheme.
Experience Required: City & Guilds Radiation Safety Practice Stage 1 or above or L2 NVQ equivalent or above.
1+ years operational Health Physics experience desirable.
Use of Microsoft packages.
To have good numeracy and literacy skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and must be able to work flexibly by responding to changes in operational priorities, and operate individually and as part of a team, delivering a high-quality service to the whole project.
Advantageous to have a full UK driving licence.