Radiation Protection Managers (RPMs) hold one of the most critical roles in a nuclear power plant. Tasked with protecting workers, the public, and the environment from the effects of radiation, their responsibilities are broad, high-stakes, and constantly evolving.
In a recent conversation with Ellen Anderson, a former RPM and Director of Radiation Safety & International Liaison at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and now, RSCS’s Director of Radiological Services, we explore the scope of the RPM’s work and how RSCS supports these professionals.
Q: RPMs are legally responsible for managing occupational radiation exposure and ensuring radiation releases to the public remain within strict regulatory limits. Can you provide more insight into how this role has evolved?
Ellen Anderson: The role of the RPM is rooted in independence and integrity. Their primary responsibility is to safeguard plant workers, the public, and the environment from radiation exposure. Over time, this role has grown more complex as regulatory requirements have increased and industry standards have evolved.
Q: Where does the RPM typically report within a plant?
Ellen Anderson: The RPM usually reports to the plant manager, sometimes to the site vice president, but typically it’s the plant manager. The key is independence. The operations manager, who is legally required, is focused on generating megawatts. The RPM ensures that’s done safely.
Q: Let’s talk about responsibilities at the plant level.
Ellen Anderson: RPMs are responsible for occupational radiation exposure to plant workers and for public exposure. That includes everything released into the air or groundwater—anything going up the stack or into the environment.
Q: Regulatory compliance is a big part of the role. Can you talk about the multiple layers of regulation that an RPM is responsible for staying compliant with?
Ellen Anderson: RPMs deal with 10 CFR Part 20 for radiation protection, which is an NRC radiation protection standard. It covers dose limits, surveys, and postings. Then there are NRC Regulatory Guides (Reg Guides). These are official publications from the NRC that provide guidance on how to comply with NRC regulations. They are not legally binding, but they show acceptable methods for meeting specific parts of the NRC’s rules. RPM’s also follow EPA and state environmental requirements, OSHA respiratory protection standards, and even FCC rules—for example, for headset communications within the plant.
Q: As a former RPM, how do you use your experience at RSCS to support RPMs?
Ellen Anderson: The RSCS team and I have deep professional and technical experience with radiation safety programs at nuclear plants. We get called in for matters where the plant lacks a health physicist or they need a second opinion for NRC inspections. For example, to identify radionuclides or calculate doses, which is part of the internal dosimetry program that RPMs are responsible for. While RPMs manage the program, they may need a company like RSCS to calculate doses.
Q: How else does RSCS support RPMs?
Ellen Anderson: Training is a big one. RPMs are responsible for ensuring that every RP technician is trained and qualified. If something goes wrong and records are missing, it’s the RPM, not the staffing company, who is held accountable. We help with training and to maintain those records. We also contribute to initiatives like the industry-wide AP3 qualification standard, which streamlined technician training across all plants.
One of the most valuable ways RSCS supports RPMs is through tailored training and qualified staff augmentation. From foundational programs in instrumentation, dosimetry, and respiratory protection to professional development for RPM candidates, RSCS builds workforce readiness across all levels.
RSCS also ensures supplemental technicians are properly trained and documented—an area under increasing scrutiny by regulators.
Q: It sounds like RSCS steps in as both technical expert and trusted advisor.
Ellen Anderson: Exactly. We’re a full-service radiation protection consulting firm. If we don’t have the expert in-house, we bring one in. It’s about relationships, responsiveness, and knowing who to call when something goes wrong. I’ve personally helped resolve industry-wide training gaps, restored contracts after years of disconnect, and connected clients with the expertise they needed.
Thank you, Ellen, for contributing your time and expertise to the radiation protection manager profession and RSCS clients. To learn more about or connect with Ellen Anderson, visit her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-pyne-anderson-3b71046a/.