An industrial x-ray technician, also known as an industrial radiologic technician or nondestructive testing technician.
The industrial x-ray technician's role in manufacturing is crucial to product integrity and your safety. Using radioactive materials, the technician inspects and analyzes materials such as metal or paper or uses imaging technology to verify the integrity of equipment to make certain it meets proper specifications. If you want to join their ranks, you need to find the degree program that's right for you, earn your certification and license and then find the job that is perfect for your skills, abilities and interests.
Instructions
Nondestructive Testing Technician
1. There are NDT technician programs for divers, mechanical engineering specialists, aircraft maintenance among many others.
Seek out information on available programs. They will likely be listed as an NDT technician, industrial radiologic technician or industrial x-ray technician. A variety of institutions offer courses and programs in industrial radiology. There are programs for divers, mechanical engineering technicians, aircraft maintenance among many others. Before enrolling, make certain the program is fully accredited by a reputable accreditation association. The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) has links to programs in the U.S., Australia, India, Canada and other countries.
2. Complete a degree program, whether it's at a two-year degree from a community or technical college or a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university.
Complete a degree program, whether it's a two-year degree from a community or technical college or a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university. Having a degree is your best bet for employment and long-term job security. For example, Crowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kansas, offers a two-year NDT degree that prepares students for work in a wide variety of fields, from aviation to railroads. At the Colorado School of Mines, a wide variety of NDT courses are offered in petroleum and civil engineering, welding and joining research and other areas, while Cornell University's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers NDT course work in concrete and masonry.
3. Apply for certification from the ASNT.
Apply for certification from the ASNT. The examinations are held in locations around the U.S. and at the society's annual meeting. Certification assures employers that a NDT technician is competent and current on NDT techniques and practices. Because a NDT technician uses radioactive materials, you may have to be licensed by the state and/or federal government. Be sure to check on such requirements when you are seeking employment.
4. Find a job that dovetails with your particular NDT skills.
Find a job that dovetails with your particular NDT skills. While most careers are in industrial settings, there are jobs with government agencies. Demand for NDT technicians is not expected to increase over the next decade. However, there are available jobs and in most cases, NDT technicians have good working conditions, autonomy and excellent salaries that average between $55,000 and $58,000 annually.
5. Consider specializing in a particular NDT field or specific area within a selected field.
Consider specializing in a particular NDT field or specific area within a selected field. You may want to consider the petroleum or nuclear industry or perhaps aircraft or automobile manufacturing. NDT technicians examine concrete in dams, steel and iron in bridges, and other key infrastructure concerns.
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