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Biomedical Technician |
Career OverviewModern medicine is increasingly reliant upon specialist equipment to diagnose and treat patients. Machines such as CAT scans, heart defibrillators, radiology tools, and other advanced technologies not only require specialist skills for their operation, they also need specialist skills to facilitate their general upkeep. Biomedical technicians are the professionals typically responsible for repairing medical equipment.
With electronics based training, biomedical technicians are trained to work quickly and efficiently to maintain and to repair medical equipment, whether in a hospital setting or in a more general medical environment. Because of the nature of the equipment, its uses, most biomedical technicians are required to act as part of a quasi rapid response team if medical professionals experience any problems with the equipment they are using for patient diagnosis and treatment.
Malfunctions in equipment have the potential to be life threatening to patients, so regular maintenance and swift responses to emergency callings are essential practices of biomedical technicians.
Generally speaking, the medical community's use of medical equipment is expected to increase. The expected increase is a predicted response to the general aging of the US population over the next several decades and poses a very positive outlook for those interested in careers as biomedical technicians.
However, as the reliance upon equipment grows, so too does the complexity and range of equipment used. In the next few years, biomedical technicians must be ready to periodically enroll in training programs to stay current with developments.
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Career RequirementsBiomedical technicians must have a high school diploma or the equivalent GED to enroll in any one of the advanced training programs required for professional competency in biometric technology.
Whilst an Associate's Degree in electronics or a related field is considered sufficient for competency in the field, employers increasingly prefer and advocate pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in engineering or bioengineering. Demonstrated proficiency in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and computers are basic requirements for acceptance in training programs to become biomedical technicians.
Certification is available in clinical engineering through the International Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology. To become certified at this level, however, professionals need engineering degrees and three years of hospital based experience. The certification is awarded after satisfactory completion of a five-hour written examination.
More information about biomedical engineering and careers as a biomedical technician is available from the following organizations:
The Biomedical Engineering Society
8401 Corporate Drive,
Ste. 225, Landover,
MD 20785
www.bmes.org
The Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology
111 Market Place,
Ste. 1050, Baltimore,
MD 21202
www.abet.org
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Job OutlookRemaining current with technologies as the advance is crucial for professional success and advancement as a biomedical technician. Having said this, there have been excellent opportunities in the field for a considerable period. The longstanding opportunities are expected to remain favorable for the foreseeable future.
Furthermore, those with advanced training and experience will be in particularly good standing to apply for positions in specialist areas, such as rehabilitation technical engineering and clinical technical engineering, which reflect a focus on particular types of equipment.
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Career TrackBiomedical technicians with an interest in advancing in the field of engineering are in a particularly good position to pursue a career as biomedical engineers, which is in keeping with a popular career track for dedicated biomedical technicians.
Within the immediate scope of biomedical technicians are four ranks as Biomedical Equipment Technicians (BMETs):
BMET-1: an entry-level worker who supervises routine maintenance.
BMET-2: a worker with several years experience who works independently to maintain and repair equipment.
BMET-3: with significant education and training, third-level biomedical engineers are hired to complete the more challenging assignments.
BMET Supervisor: working under department heads or hospital supervisors, the biomedical technical oversee the activities of all those below them in rank.
Whilst these technicians focus on the repair and maintenance of equipment, biomedical engineers work at universities, research centers, industrial laboratories, and government facilities to convert ideas into products and solutions to the technical problems faced by medical professions, including those faced by physicians and dentists.
Biomedical technicians must generally pursue a Master's Degree to become a biomedical engineer. Training is generally required in engineering or bioengineering.
There are four general areas of specialty for biomedical engineers. These include general bioengineering, requiring a general understanding of anatomy and physiology and an ability to apply engineering principles to address the conditions of normal and diseased bodies; clinical engineering, which requires application of engineering principles to enhance the health care delivery system; medical engineering, which involves the developing of biomaterials, diagnostics, and therapeutic instruments for patient care and research; and rehabilitation engineering, which covers the development of technology and devices to assist people with disabilities.
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CompensationA career as a biomedical technician is rewarding both intellectually and financially. It also offers the opportunity to purse a career as a biomedical engineer. Although annual salaries can vary pay is generally between $25,000 and $55,000 per year. For biomedical engineers, salaries generally range between $40,000 and $80,000.
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