In this day and age when medical services are delivered through highly technical equipment and machines, a biomedical equipment technician is a very crucial person in the medical industry. A biomedical equipment technician is responsible for maintaining all of the medical equipment in a hospital, clinic or medical office; making sure they are in top condition to ensure the health and safety of patients who depend on their use. There is a high demand for biomedical equipment technicians these days and with good education and training you can land a job in this exciting career field.
The good news is, biomedical equipment technician training is offered by many accredited online schools as part of their medical training programs. Online educational options are becoming more popular, and the degrees and certifications you can earn are widely accepted by medical facilities across the nation.
Job Description
A biomedical equipment technician’s job is specifically centered on the upkeep, calibration, installation, and repair and testing of medical equipment. In this medical job, you’ll handle all kinds of machines and instruments, from the simplest ones, such as x-rays, blood pressure monitors and electronic wheelchairs, to the most complex and advanced, such as robotic radio surgery units, lifesaving defibrillators, ventilators and combined PET/CT scanners.
You will be working with a variety of tools, computers, soldering tools, and electronics and replacing critical components of the machines. You might be doing this for emergency calls or routine services that the government requires of medical machinery.
For most jobs in this specialty you will need adequate knowledge of electronics and computers since doctors rely on the accuracy of readings from devices that monitor patients.
Education and Training
In high school, you will want to focus your studies in math, science and electives that cover working with things that are mechanical. It is good to have a high degree of mechanical aptitude for this profession. Electives that cover computers and electronics are also helpful if they are offered.
An Associate’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology, Applied Science in Electronics, Medical Technology, or its equivalent is the minimum educational requirement for biomedical equipment technician careers. A bachelor’s degree adds an extra edge, especially for those seeking higher positions and desiring to work on much more complex machines and equipment. In some cases, an Associate Degree can be credited for a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. Advanced knowledge of computers is also required since this medical profession involves the use of software and computer applications. Once hired, a biomedical equipment technician is expected to commit themselves to continuing education since technology is changing at almost a daily pace.
Certification
Certification is not required, but those with certification prove to be more employable than their non-certified counterparts. Certification for biomedical equipment technicians is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). After satisfying the educational and experience requirements and passing the certification exam, a biomedical equipment technician will become a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET).
Job Opportunities
As a biomedical equipment technician, you can find work in hospitals, clinics, treatment facilities and similar medical agencies. They can also work directly for a medical equipment manufacturer.
If a biomedical equipment technician chooses to work for a healthcare agency, they will mostly be reporting during the day shift, although you might also need to work long hours and possibly be on-call, especially when a life-saving machine malfunctions during the night or on a weekend. If you choose to work for an equipment manufacturer, you will need to hop from one hospital to another hospital to install equipment and take care of service calls.
If you work in a patient care setting, you will be working around patients who are ill. You will need to be comfortable working near patients who are bedridden, and have knowledge of infection control procedures and patient rights.
Salary and Job Growth
How much a technician earns depends on the employer, scope of work and your level of experience. But generally, a biomedical equipment technician can earn between $37,000 and $50,000 a year. Those working for an equipment manufacturer reportedly can take home around $90,000.
Employment opportunities for biomedical equipment technicians are expected to increase by 27% until 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is due to the increasing population of older patients seeking medical help and the continuous advancement of medical technologies for all populations.
A biomedical equipment technician job is great for those who like working with the mechanical aspects of the medical field. You will have the satisfaction of helping people recover from illness by ensuring the dependability of the medical technology they are using.