A biomedical technician is currently considered one of the best careers because figures for recent years show that this profession is largely resistant to lay-offs, it isn’t outsourced to other countries easily, and it has higher-than-average projected growth. Biomedical technicians are responsible for installing, repairing, maintaining and calibrating medical equipment and instruments. Training is available online at several accredited schools, and is critical to success in this field.
If you’re interested in becoming a biomedical technician, here are some of the steps you need to take before jumping into this medical career:
- Know what it takes to be a good biomedical technician. To be successful on the job, it’s very important that you’re the type of person who likes to tinker with machines and gadgets, and who has a knack for troubleshooting and doing repairs. Also know that this is a stressful job, with repairs on medical equipment needing to be done sometimes in the midst of an emergency situation. That’s why it’s important for a biomedical technician to work under extreme pressure. Stamina is another important factor, since biomedical technicians can be expected to be on call 24 hours a day. Biomedical technicians are also employed in medical equipment retail centers, which makes for more normal working hours. Some areas may not have a good supply of technicians; this means more travel for those working in those areas.
- Know the minimum educational requirements. The minimum educational requirement for biomedical technicians is a two-year associate degree in biomedical equipment technology or another relevant major, such as electronics or engineering. Many BMETs (or biomedical technicians) obtain their biomedical technician training while in the military. The most important thing in this profession is acquiring hands-on experience, although more and more employers are requiring their BMETs to have four-year bachelor degrees. A medical technology degree is becoming the standard for BMETs when getting their certification. Some certification agencies will also accept degrees in electronics or engineering. While achieving a degree, a lot of hands-on application training is given. Technicians will start by observing a single piece of equipment for about six months before learning another machine. Over time, a biomedical technician will learn the operation and maintenance of more pieces of machinery and gain more independence. Be sure to enroll at a school that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for the American Board for Engineering and Technology. This will show that you are prepared for a biomedical job. Constant education is needed to update skills as new technology is developed.
- Get licensed. Though this is not mandatory, being licensed as a certified biomedical equipment technician will pave the way for more employment opportunities and a better likelihood for promotion. If you want to further your credentials, you could also obtain certifications as a Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist and Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist.
- Join the Medical Equipment and Technology Association, or META. This will enable you to create a network of contacts that might possibly help you gain good employment and promote your chances for career advancement.
- Know where to apply for employment. Top workplaces for BMETs include hospitals, health stores and equipment and medical supply wholesalers. You should also be on the lookout for job listings for a BMET, biomed, biomedical engineer and electronics technician. Regular daytime work hours are seen in this job as well as occasional traveling. Areas that are in short supply of qualified technicians may have technicians that are more on call; this can contribute to additional stress.
- Know the job outlook. As mentioned, the job outlook for biomedical technicians is excellent with a 27 percent increase from now until the year 2018. The median salary for BMETs is at $41,500, going upwards of $65,000 a year. If you have proper certification and you work at a private business, your annual salary could go up to $90,000.
These are just some of the important things to know if you want to be a biomedical technician. If you have an interest in the medical field and engineering or electronics, preparing for biomedical technician jobs is probably one of the best and most practical career paths for you to embark upon.