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Jamie Gurney

Submitted by soleson@lia.org on


Tell us about yourself

My name is Jamie Gurney and I live in Merritt Island, FL with my husband Jeff, where we have raised seven children together. I started my career in Health Physics at nuclear power plants as a Jr. Health Physics Technician.  From 1990 -1992, I worked at the University of Florida in the Environmental Health and Safety Department as a Radiation Control Technician. I returned to nuclear power plants for a few years before being hired at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in 1997.

I received an Associates of Science degree in Radiation Protection Technology at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, FL in 1988. I received my Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration with Specialization in Management in 2001. I took my NRRPT in 2003 and CLSO in 2004.

Where do you work?

I am the Health Physicist for Integrated Mission Support Services at KSC. I have worked for the Environmental Health and Safety department there for 20 years, first as a Health Physics Specialist, then as a Health Physics Contractor/Consultant, and now as their Health Physicist.

I started working with lasers in 1997 when I came to KSC to work as a Health Physics Specialist. I had no real experience with lasers before that time. After a few years of working and getting my feet wet in laser safety hazard analysis, my boss suggested I take the CLSO exam. It was the best thing I could have done at the time for my career and has definitely opened doors to more career opportunities.

Currently I am not the LSO, as NASA has only one LSO, and I work for him as a contractor health physicist, offering my technical expertise and services in laser hazard evaluations among other health physics programs.

Has becoming certified helped you in your career?        

Until I was introduced to lasers and laser safety at KSC, I had no idea of the diversity of laser applications. The most challenging ones are usually the lasers that are used in outdoor situations in a dynamic environment. I am very fortunate to have stumbled upon this aspect of health physics and have enjoyed working with people from all over the country and seeing the innovations in laser technology that have occurred over the last 20 years.

 

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