Biomedical equipment technicians maintain, repair, and teach the use of specialized medical equipment in hospitals and clinics. They require post-secondary education and mechanical skills, and are responsible for following safety protocols and completing equipment repair orders. Career advancement opportunities may require additional education and experience.
A biomedical equipment technician has three areas of responsibility: maintaining the equipment, completing equipment-related orders, and teaching. This work can be found in a wide variety of hospitals, medical centers and diagnostic clinics. Typically, someone in this position has a dedicated workspace where all portable equipment is stored. He or she has a specially designed workbench and the tools available to make the necessary repairs.
To become a biomedical equipment technician, post-secondary education is required. Most technicians have completed a two- or three-year program from a community or career college. The main focus of this program is on the calibration, configuration, installation and repair of specialized biomedical equipment.
People who enjoy working with details, are good problem solvers, and have excellent mechanical skills report the most satisfaction as a biomedical equipment technician. These technicians usually work in central services and don’t have much involvement with patients. Their main focus is to complete the incoming request and ensure that the equipment is available for use as quickly as possible.
Regardless of industry, a person with this job is responsible for following all safety and testing protocols before releasing equipment for use. Most hospitals and clinics hire dedicated biomedical equipment technicians. The vast majority of them are responsible for recalibrating the machines, testing the installation, and ensuring the output is accurate.
The primary role of the biomedical equipment technician is to complete equipment repair orders. The level of work can vary significantly, ranging from a complex installation request to a simple calibration and cleaning job that requires two or three hours of work. Orders are received, prioritized and processed.
Many biomedical equipment technicians are asked to provide employee training. Using his presentation skills, the technician is responsible for training physicians, nurses, technologists and other staff in the proper use of equipment. Courses can be formally organized through the staff development center or organized on an ad-hoc basis.
Career advancement opportunities for a biomedical equipment technician often require a combination of additional education and experience. In a hospital, supervisor or managerial positions are usually held by technicians with many years of experience as an equipment technician. Persons interested in career advancement must complete management courses or other types of equipment used in the facility. A broader skill base may be all that’s needed to move into a supervisory position.
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