Biomedical Equipment Technicians

Biomedical equipment technicians, also known as medical equipment repairers, handle the complex medical equipment and instruments found in hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. This equipment is used for medical therapy and diagnosis and includes heart-lung machines, artificial kidney machines, patient monitors, chemical analyzers, and other electrical, electronic, mechanical, or pneumatic devices.

Technicians' main duties are to inspect, maintain, repair, and install this equipment. They disassemble equipment to locate malfunctioning components, repair or replace defective parts, and reassemble the equipment, adjusting and calibrating it to ensure that it operates according to manufacturers' specifications. Other duties of biomedical equipment technicians include modifying equipment according to the directions of medical or supervisory personnel, arranging with equipment manufacturers for necessary equipment repair, and safety-testing equipment to ensure that patients, equipment operators, and other staff members are safe from electrical or mechanical hazards. Biomedical equipment technicians work with hand tools, power tools, measuring devices, and manufacturers' manuals.

Technicians may work for equipment manufacturers as salespeople or as service technicians, or for a health care facility specializing in the repair or maintenance of specific equipment, such as that used in radiology, nuclear medicine, or patient monitoring. Approximately 53,800 people work as medical equipment repairers in the United States.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $100,000

Minimum Education Level

Associate's Degree

Certification/License

Recommended

Outlook

About as Fast as the Average

Personality Traits

Hands On

Problem-Solving

Technical

Career Ladder

Biomedical Engineer

Supervisor

Experienced Biomedical Equipment Technician

Entry-Level Biomedical Equipment Technician