A biomedical equipment technician has three areas of responsibility: maintaining the equipment, completing equipment related orders, and teaching. A biomedical equipment technician can be found in a wide range of hospitals, medical centers, and diagnostic clinics. Typically, a biomedical equipment technician has a dedicated workspace, where all the portable equipment is stored. He or she has a specially designed workbench and the tools available to make required repairs.
In order 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 primary focus of this program is on the calibration, set up, installation, and repair of specialized biomedical equipment.
People who enjoy working with details, are good problem solvers, and possess excellent mechanical skills report the greatest satisfaction as a biomedical equipment technician. These technicians typically work in central services and do not have much involvement with patients. Their primary focus is to complete the request received and ensure the equipment is available for use as soon as possible.
Regardless of the industry, the biomedical equipment technician is responsible for following all safety and testing protocols before releasing the equipment for use. Most hospitals and clinics hire dedicated biomedical equipment technicians onto their staff. The vast majority of them are responsible for recalibrating machines, testing the set-up, 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 requiring two or three hours of work. The orders are received, prioritized, and then processed.
Many biomedical equipment technicians are asked to provide training to staff. Using his or her presentation skills, the technician is responsible for training doctors, nurses, technologists, and other staff on the proper use of equipment. The courses can be formally arranged through the staff development center or arranged on an ad-hoc basis.
Career advancement opportunities for a biomedical equipment technician typically require a combination of additional education and experience. In a hospital, the supervisor or managerial positions are usually held by technicians who have many years of experience as an equipment technician. People who are interested in career advancement should complete courses in management or other types of equipment used in the facility. A broader base of skill may be all that is needed to move into a supervisory position.
