Biomedical Equipment Technicians: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Biomedical engineering involves complex medical instruments and devices which are used in clinics, hospitals and research facilities. These equipment are used for medical diagnosis and therapy. Some of the medical equipment developed by biomedical engineers include patient monitors, heartlung machines, chemical analyzers, artificial kidney machines and other mechanical electrical, electronic or pneumatic devices. Since these instruments and devices are complex, biomedical equipment technician are employed to maintain, inspect, install and repair the medical equipment.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
Physics, Biology and Chemistry classes prepare an applicant who wants to be a biomedical equipment technician. Shop class develops skills in drafting, blueprint reading and electronics. Since this career will deal with formulas and numbers, Mathematics class is helpful. An applicant can either obtain an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree to be qualified for this job. Associate’s degree are usually preferred by applicants since the course lasts for only two years. Safety methods in health care equipment will be taught. The program includes classes in Physiology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physics, Electrical and Electronic fundamentals, and Biomedical Equipment Design and Construction. Students are also supervised by experienced biomedical equipment technician when they repair and service equipment in a laboratory or clinical setting. Certification is highly recommended since it is a proof of the applicants knowledge in the field. Some technicians will not be required to present certification if they have appropriate employment experience.
Skills and Abilities
Biomedical equipment technician should have a strong mechanical ability.
They need to be comfortable working with different kinds of tools. Working well under pressure is needed since most of the time, they need to make quick decisions and prompt repairs. It is important to be accurate and precise. Good communication skills are needed to interact properly with other health care personnel.
Duties
The main responsibility of a biomedical equipment technician is to maintain, calibrate, operate and repair biomedical equipment. They are supervised by biomedical engineers, researchers, surgeons, physicians and other health care personnel. Their duty would also include investigating the problems of the equipment, determining the extent of the malfunction and writing an analysis of the problem. It is part of their job to test and inspect new biomedical equipment. They make sure that the device complies with the safety and performance standards, which are in the manufacturers diagram and manual. They should keep track of need for maintenance checks and machine repairs.
Earnings and Job Outlook
Training, experience, type of work, and certification determine the income of a biomedical equipment technician. In 2005, their average income for the year was $39,570. The increase usage of modern, sophisticated and complex biomedical device created more job opportunities for biomedical equipment technician. They are expected to grow fast in the future since hospitals will depend on them to maintain, repair and install medical equipment.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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