Qualification Criteria for the Power Reactor Health Physicist: a Delphi Approach

Abstract

This study is concerned with the establishment of detailed qualification criteria on a generic basis for the position of power reactor health physicist. The specific objectives include determining general educational requirements and specific technical areas of study necessary or desirable for the entry level power reactor health physicist, as well as the type of plant-specific orientation and training that he or she should receive during the first few months of employment. The additional education, training, and experience qualifications necessary for an individual filling the position of Radiation Protection Manager are also examined. Finally, the question of licensing or formal certification of power reactor health physicists is studied. A series of three questionnaires incorporating the Delphi Technique is used to gather data and opinions from practicing power reactor health physicists. Information thus collected is analyzed against majority opinion criteria, and specific qualification elements are identified and ranked in order of importance.