HP government work

[Walter cofer <cofer@NETTALLY.COM>]

I'd like to second Barbara Hamrick's recommendation for non-degreed HPs to 

pursue government health physics work.



I joined the Florida Bureau of Radiation Control in 1989 with a B.S. in 

geology and an A.S. in radiation protection technology (from the 

now-defunct program at Central Florida Community College in Ocala), and 

industrial radiation experience (industrial radiography RSO, IH 

technician).  I'm still there, because I still enjoy the work and my 

colleagues.



I have gained a wealth of diversifed HP training and experience unavailable 

through other HP positions (including ones that are only available to 

CHPs).  My training has included the 5-week HP course at Oak Ridge, 

numerous other NRC-sponsored HP courses, Bureau-sponspored training in 

medical and non-medical HP applications, D&D/MARRSIM, DOT regs, TENORM, and 

more.



Like Barbara, I've visited/inspected a wide spectrum of radiological 

sites/facilities, including the Nevada Test Site (a personal favorite), Oak 

Ridge National Lab, military bases (I participate in team oversight of the 

DU cleanup at Eglin AFB with the EPA, NRC, USACE and DoD), phosphate mines, 

oil fields/refineries, pool irradiators, radiopharmacies, PET/cyclotron 

centers, nuclear medicine departments, universities, waste processors, and 

more.



As a representative of my state and as a volunteer with the Conference of 

Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD), I have been able to contribute 

to the development and revision of radiation control regulations.  I've met 

and worked with numerous dedicated HPs though state, NRC, DOT, CRCPD, and 

HPS sponsored meetings, conferences, training courses and working groups 

 (including Phil Egidi, Mitchell Davis and Sandy Perle, who have weighed in 

on this thread).  I've also had the oportunity to pursue my interests and 

develop specializations.  Oh, and the state paid for my classes at FSU, 

enabling me to earn an M.S.  All this, and I still lack the CHP cert.  I 

may not have earned the big bucks along the way, but I sure can't complain 

about the training and experience my tenure with the state has provided.



While I may have been more fortunate than some of my colleagues with 

respect to the scope of my state experience, the opportunities are 

certainly there for those who seek them.  In fact, Florida currently has 

openings for inspection and licensing positions, and we are being forced to 

consider applicants that lack any prior HP experience, so spread the word.



Walter Cofer

Program Consultant

FL Bureau of Radiation Control

(850) 245-4266



-----Original Message-----

From:	BLHamrick@AOL.COM [SMTP:BLHamrick@AOL.COM]

Sent:	Friday, January 24, 2003 8:57 PM

To:	psg_allez@YAHOO.COM; liptonw@DTEENERGY.COM; JOHN.RICH@sargentlundy.com

Cc:	radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject:	Re: need for HPs



In a message dated 1/23/2003 12:47:55 PM Pacific Standard Time,

psg_allez@YAHOO.COM writes:



> I'm looking into the possibility of working

> in Health Physics. I have work to complete on my

> Physics degree. What advice would you and others

> working in the industry on this list offer? ~~ aside

> from the finish your schooling ASAP~~~

>



Well, I guess now is the time to put in my plug.  I have learned a great

deal, and had a plethora of experiences as a result of working for

governmental regulatory agencies.  From commercial power plants to 

crematory

ovens from airlines to rare earth mines, I have inspected them all, and my

involvement has run the gamut from "swinging meters," to modeling dose to

being questioned in a hearing by none other than one of OJ's attorneys, Mr. 

Robert Shapiro.



The great thing about government work is it can be what you make it.  The 

pay

won't be as great as the commercial side, but if you are hard-working and

self-motivated, you will find a wide variety of opportunities await.  The 

NRC

is generally always hiring, and the U.S. now has 32 Agreement States

(covering 75% of the radioactive materials licensees in the country), which 

all require HP expertise on board.  My personal preference would be to pick 

one of the larger states to get that variety I'm talking about (California, 

Florida, New York or Texas, e.g.).  That's my pitch.  I'm with the

government, and I'm here to help.  :-)



Barbara L. Hamrick

 << File: ATT00021.htm >> 



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