A Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) plays a great role in patient care and saving people’s lives. They are responsible for installing, maintaining, repairing and testing equipment and machinery used in diagnostic and treatment procedures and make sure that they are all functioning well to serve the needs of patients. They also perform routine maintenance and inspections to maintain a high degree of patient safety. From the voice-controlled operating tables down to the highly complex radio-surgery units, a BMET is always on the sidelines and can be called in at a moment’s notice in case of a malfunction. BMETs also help train staff in the proper use of the equipment including set-up, day-to-day operations and who to call for assistance when needed.
It is an exciting and fulfilling career, and if you want to take this career path, here’s what you should know about the medical training required to become this type of healthcare professional. A great way to begin is to seek out biomedical technician training online from an accredited college. These degree and certificate programs are widely accepted in the medical community, and they're a very convenient option for those who are working full-time and have busy lives.
Education and Training
- Satisfy the educational requirements. In high school, you will need to do well in math and science. If there are maintenance related electives, it will be good to further focus your studies in electronics or mechanics. After you graduate high school, you will need to find a program that offers an Associate Degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology, Applied Science in Electronics, Medical Technology, or its equivalent. But if you desire to manage more complex and high-end equipment and machinery, you have to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology. Fortunately today, many Associate Degree programs can lead to a Bachelor’s Degree. You can take advantage of this and look for schools that offer these kinds of medical career training programs.
- Get certified. Some states do not require certifications, but earning a certification will help you land a good job. Certification indicates your competency and skills and is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). To be a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), you need to get a passing mark on the certification exam and satisfy the educational and experience requirements.
- Commit to continuing education. Technology advances on a regular basis and certification requires you to regularly update your skills and knowledge. You can do this by attending seminars and conferences and reading literature. If you keep abreast with the technological advancements in the medical setting, you are likely to become more effective in the work. And before long, you will get assigned to a supervisory level.
- Hone your skills. As a BMET, you will work a great deal of time. This is why you need to have physical stamina and manual dexterity. You need to move your hands, fingers and the rest of your body fast. You will need to be a fast thinker, since most of the time; you will be repairing crucial medical machines in an environment that needs them to be fully operational and safe.
Job Opportunities
Jobs are available at hospitals, treatment facilities, outpatient care centers, and similar medical environments. But you can also find work in equipment manufacturers, medical supply and equipment repair companies.
Salary and Job Growth
Salary depends on educational and experience level, scope of work and employer. On average, BMETs can earn around $44,000 to $54,000 a year. Those who have more experience can take home as much as $64,000.
Job growth in this field is excellent. In fact, employment opportunities for BMETs are expected to increase 72% by the year 2018. Because the medical setting is increasingly becoming more high-tech, there will always be a need for BMETs.
Working with medical equipment can be exciting and stressful, but rewarding. Complex and high tech medical equipment need good technicians for proper maintenance and repairs. If you have good mechanical and electronic aptitude and like the medical field, then a career as a Certified Biomedical technician may just be the perfect job for you.