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Biomedical Equipment Technicians inspect, maintain, repair, calibrate and modify electronic, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment and instruments used in medical therapy, diagnosis, and research. They may also be involved in the operation or supervision of equipment and in equipment control.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Biomedical Equipment Technicians may:

Install, inspect and test equipment and apparatus to ensure functional qualities using blueprints, written specifications, and standard or specialized test equipment

Disassemble equipment to locate causes of malfunctions or inaccuracies

Repair or replace defective parts

Reassemble equipment and adjust precision components

Notify manufacturers or distributors of in correctable equipment malfunctions to arrange for repair

Perform safety checks on electrical and radiation equipment and monitor maintenance and repair records

Add to or change original components to meet specific therapeutic or diagnostic requirements

Keep extensive records of equipment checks, both for maintenance and repair

Train equipment users to operate equipment safely

Maintain inventories and record supplies and parts

Read professional journals and manufacturers' publications to evaluate and recommend purchase of new, more advanced medical equipment and to keep up with new developments in the field

Click here to watch a video of Biomedical Equipment Technicians!

The tools, equipment, and machines used may include:

Biomedical Equipment Technicians may specialize in these areas:

BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENT TECHNICIANS inspect, maintain, repair, calibrate, and modify electronic, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment and instruments used in medical therapy, diagnosis, and research. They may also be involved in the operation or supervision of equipment and in equipment control. They may specialize in the repair and maintenance of specific types of biomedical equipment, such as that used in radiology, nuclear medicine, or patient monitoring operations, or in other specializations, such as airborne biomedical instrumentation. They may also work with bionic implants and prosthetic devices.

019.261-010 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS support biomedical or clinical engineers in health care institutions and other work settings. Their work may involve the design, construction, development, installation and servicing of biomedical and related technical equipment. Technicians, depending on their background, substitute for engineers in less technical activities.

729.281-030 ELECTROMEDICAL-EQUIPMENT REPAIRERS test, repair, and provide preventive maintenance for electromedical equipment, such as electrocardiographs, electroencephalographs, and diathermy machines. They do not maintain as great a variety of equipment as do Biomedical Equipment Technicians.

829.261-014 DENTAL-EQUIPMENT INSTALLERS and SERVICERS install and maintain electric or pneumatic drill units, and dental x-ray, plumbing, and related dental office equipment.

719.261-014 RADIOLOGICAL-EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS test, repair, install, calibrate, and modify radiological and related equipment used in medical diagnosis and therapy, applying technical knowledge of electronic, radiological, and mechanical systems.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Most Biomedical Equipment Technicians work in hospitals and large clinics. They work with other Biomedical Medical Equipment Technicians or clinic personnel under the supervision of a more experienced lead worker or the supervision of a specific hospital department. Technicians who work for manufacturers may work with engineering, sales, and service personnel.

Biomedical Equipment Technicians' working conditions are generally pleasant but can vary according to the place of employment. These Technicians face hazards such as injuries caused by transporting heavy equipment, exposure to electric shock, burns, radiation, noxious fumes, and communicable disease. Technicians minimize the danger by following safety procedures and by wearing goggles, safety shoes, and rubber aprons.

Biomedical Equipment Technicians in manufacturing generally work 8-hour days and 40-hour weeks. Technicians in hospitals usually work from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Technicians may be on call for emergency breakdowns.

Technicians working for manufacturers and distributors may be required to travel extensively to repair or maintain equipment. They may be required to buy their own set of hand tools, costing about $30.

Biomedical Equipment Technicians may belong to unions representing employees where they work. Union members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

·          Activities involving the use of your hands to make or repair things

·          Activities dealing with things and objects

·          Activities involving machines, processes, and techniques

·          Activities of a scientific or technical nature

You Should Be Able To:

·          Perform a variety of duties which may change often

·          Make decisions based on personal judgment and measurable data

·          Work within precise standards of accuracy

·          Work responsibly with sensitive, expensive equipment

·          Notice detail in objects or drawings

·          Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

·          Visualize how flat drawings or pictures would look as solid objects

·          Perform arithmetical operations quickly and accurately

·          Communicate clearly in speaking and writing

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Determine the net force required to give a 4.50 kilogram object an acceleration of 1.50 meters per second squared.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

An observed change in motion, including motion starting from rest, is evidence of a force. This leads to a common definition of force: A force is something capable of changing an object's state of motion.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write efficiency reports explaining how well different components are working.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to examine a problem in a certain component and then decide the best way to eliminate it.

Biomedical Equipment Technicians are not required to be certified. Some employers, however, may require it. Biomedical Technicians who wish to be certified should contact the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. Employers may hire individuals who have a background in electronics and/or mechanical engineering technology and train them on the job. However, some prefer graduates of formal biomedical technology programs.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond High School) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

052 ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Electrical and Electronics Technology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment servicing electrical and electronics systems, appliances, and motors. Individuals who teach Electrical and Electronics Technology at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

180 BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN

Programs in Biomedical Equipment Technology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment maintaining and servicing biomedical equipment used in hospitals, pathology and hematology laboratories, and in industries engaged in the manufacture and sale of biomedical equipment. Program #52, Electrical and Electronics Technology, identifies similar opportunities.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

Although this occupation has apprenticeship programs available in Michigan, they are limited in number. See the Sources Of More Information below for name, address and phone number of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at http://www.myfuture.com.

ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT REPAIRER

The military uses electronic instruments and equipment in many different areas, including health care, weather forecasting,  and combat, to name a few. Electronic instrument repairers maintain and repair electronic instruments, such as precision measuring equipment, navigational controls, photographic equipment, and biomedical instruments. Electronic instrument repairers maintain and repair electronic instruments, such as precision measuring equipment, navigational controls, photographic equipment, and biomedical instruments. Electronic instrument repairers normally specialize by type of equipment or instrument being repaired.

What They Do

Electronic instrument  and  equipment repairers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

·          Test meteorological and medical instruments, navigational controls, and simulators using electronic and electrical test equipment

·          Read technical diagrams and manuals in order to locate, isolate, and repair instrument parts

·          Replace equipment parts such as resistors, switches, and circuit boards

Training Provided

Job training consists of 15 to 30 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in repairing and replacing equipment parts. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

·          Principles of electronics

·          Use and maintenance of electrical and electronic test equipment

·          Equipment repair exercises

The navy and the Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs for some specialties in this occupation.

Work Environment

Electronic instrument and repairers usually work in repair shops and laboratories.

Physical Demands

Normal color vision is required to work with color-coded wiring. Some specialties require a minimum age of 18 to enter.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include math and electronic equipment repair. Helpful attributes include:

·          Interest in working with electronic equipment

·          Interest in solving problems

·          Attention to detail

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian electronic instrument and equipment repairers work for manufacturing, medical research, satellite communications firms, or commercial airlines. They may also work for government agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or the National Weather Service. They perform the same kind of duties as military instrument repairers. They are called electronics mechanics, dental equipment repairers, or biomedical equipment technicians, depending on their specialty.

Opportunities

The military uses electronic instruments and equipment in many different areas, including health care, weather forecasting, and combat, to name a few. Electronics repairers maintain and repair instruments and equipment, such as computers, communications equipment, radar and sonar systems, precision measuring equipment, and biomedical instruments. Electronic instrument and equipment repairers normally specialize by type of equipment or instrument being repaired.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

There are relatively few opportunities for high school students to explore this occupation. Hobbies or classes in electronics would provide a helpful background. Some postsecondary education programs in biomedical equipment technology and electrical and electronics technology as well as related military training may offer practical experience. There are also a limited number of apprenticeships available in Michigan.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Biomedical Equipment Technician

internships

volunteer work with a Biomedical Equipment Technician

community service work with an agency

Most graduates of biomedical technology programs find job offers through college placement offices. Others apply directly to employers. The local office of Michigan Works!, want ads, medical journals, and professional publications such as "BMET NEWS" also provide assistance.  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

   Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

   simplyhired.com

   Michigan Talent Bank

   Ziggs: Free People Search for Professionals

  Yahoo!hotjobs

  MONSTER.COM

  CareerBuilder

   Indeed | one search. all jobs.

   Net-Temps 

            You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Biomedical Equipment Technicians vary according to the individual's experience, training, and certification as well as the industry and geographic area. Those working in urban areas for biomedical equipment manufacturers generally earn higher salaries than those employed elsewhere.

Nationally, in mid 2008, Biomedical Equipment Technicians earned average salaries of $49,800 per year, with earnings ranging between $40,200 and $60,100. Certified Biomedical Equipment Technicians in hospitals earn more per year than non-certified technicians.

The Federal government employed Biomedical Equipment Technicians at salaries ranging from $23,475 to $51,738 annually in 2008. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

In 2008, Biomedical Equipment Technicians employed in hospitals in Michigan earned salaries ranging from an average minimum of $52,208 to an average maximum of $64,626. The state-wide average for these workers was $57,845.

Most Biomedical Technicians receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and a retirement plan. Those employed in hospitals may also receive optical and dental insurance benefits.

A career ladder for Biomedical Technicians employed by manufacturers may be: Technician, field service representative, service or sales manager. Some individuals with associate's and bachelor's degrees are employed in entry-level Technician positions. A few with master's degrees are also employed as Technicians in hospitals because of the complexity of the support services they provide, as well as the size of the hospital engineering department. With advanced degrees, they qualify for positions as Biomedical or Clinical Engineers.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were approximately 37,600 Biomedical Equipment Technicians employed in 2006. Employment is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016, as more equipment is used to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients. The industry distribution for Electro-medical and Biomedical Equipment Technicians looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

The increasing concern over cost containment by hospital administrators should spur employment of Biomedical Equipment Technicians. Their preventive maintenance of equipment, as well as their ability to relieve engineers and administrators of routine tasks, will aid in controlling costs. Opportunities will be best for graduates of postsecondary biomedical equipment technology programs. Overseas employment opportunities are available also.

It is estimated that about 660 Technicians were employed in Michigan. Most work in urban areas and are employed in the health services industry for hospitals. Others are employed by large clinics, biomedical equipment manufacturing companies, the federal government, and research institutions.

The number of Biomedical Equipment Technicians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014. Because of the small number of Biomedical Equipment Technicians employed in the state, less than 30 openings per year should occur all due to growth and replacement of Technicians who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings may occur as workers change jobs or occupations. Openings for graduates of 3-year programs in biotechnology far outnumber the trained Technicians available.

Recent government regulations affecting the design, production, and marketing of new equipment will add to its cost. Voluntary and regulatory efforts to reduce these costs will result in hospitals sharing in the purchasing and maintenance expenses for new equipment. However, this trend toward shared-service programs is not expected to significantly affect the demand for technicians who will be needed to maintain and repair existing and increasingly complex new equipment.

              MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

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