Biomedical Equipment Technicians
Biomedical Equipment Technicians maintain, install, and repair a wide variety of equipment used in health care. They may work on diagnostic instruments such as x-ray, ultrasound, or electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.Biomedical Equipment Technicians may also work on life support equipment like ventilators and dialysis machines or laboratory equipment used in health care.
They repair broken instruments, install new equipment, and test or calibrate equipment to make sure it is working properly.
Technicians also train health facility staff and advise them how to use biomedical equipment.
Requirements to become a Biomedical Equipment Technician:
- Completion of a two-year degree from a community college or technical school.
- Most hospitals require practical experience; some training programs offer field study or internship that usually can count for the required experience.
- Some employers require certification by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.
- Fingerprint clearance may be required by employer.
Wages:
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians Median hourly wage: $24.18
- Average annual wage: $51,573
Job Outlook
- Estimated number of Biomedical Equipment Technicians in 2002: 27,700
- Estimated number of Biomedical Equipment Technicians in 2012: 32,000
- Estimated annual job openings: 1,010
Possible Career Paths
Possible Career Paths for biomedical equipment technicians include becoming a:
- Biomedical Equipment Technician Supervisor
- Biomedical Equipment Technician Manager
- Biomedical Engineer
- Calibration and Instrumentation Technician.