Biomedical engineering technicians install, maintain, and repair medical equipment in hospitals and labs. They ensure safe operation, diagnose and solve problems, and work with a variety of medical technology. Training is available through technical or vocational school programs, and on-the-job training is provided. Technicians can advance to supervisory roles with experience.
A biomedical engineering technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots complicated medical equipment in a hospital or clinical laboratory. He or she is responsible for ensuring that medical personnel know how to safely operate different machines and what to do if the equipment fails to work properly. Some technicians specialize in working with specific machines, such as x-ray scanners, but most professionals specialize in programming and repairing a wide variety of hospital electronics.
While a biomedical engineering technician does not work directly with patients, he or she still plays an important role in their healthcare. Doctors and nurses rely on modern electronic equipment to help them make accurate diagnoses and provide essential treatments for inpatients. A biomedical engineering technician regularly inspects the devices to ensure they are in good working order. Routine maintenance tasks can include testing batteries, checking for damaged or burned wires, and replacing electronic chips.
When devices do not work correctly or stop working, a biomedical engineering technician is usually consulted to solve them. A technician usually follows detailed instruction manuals, schematics, and technical guides when checking parts and diagnosing problems. Most professionals have access to workstations stocked with hand and power tools so they can be prepared for any repair job. If a machine cannot be repaired, a technician can submit a purchase order to your supervisors.
Technicians work with many types of medical technology. They assemble diagnostic imaging equipment, such as CT scanners and ultrasound scanners. Technicians also perform repairs on emergency medical equipment such as defibrillators and dialysis machines. Additionally, many biomedical engineering technicians are skilled at working on pathology laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters.
A person who wants to become a biomedical engineering tech can develop the practical skills necessary for work in a technical or vocational school program. At the school, students take courses in electrical theory, mathematics, computers, and electronics design. They also participate in hands-on activities working with various types of medical equipment. Most degree programs take between one and two years to complete and culminate in certificates or associate degrees.
With the proper educational training, an individual can apply to local hospitals, doctors’ offices and medical laboratories. A new biomedical engineering technician can expect to spend several weeks in on-the-job training to learn about facility-specific devices and how to obtain work orders, tools, and equipment. Technicians typically begin working independently within their first six months on the job and may have the opportunity to advance to supervisory roles in large hospitals with continued experience.
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