Biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs) are electro-mechanical technicians that work at maintaining, repairing and installing medical equipment so that it works correctly and is ready to use when needed.
As technology develops, medical devices become increasingly important for health institutions. Medical equipment service technicians ensure that these machines run smoothly and are used safely and efficiently by its users. Lives of patients may depend on the correct functioning of medical equipment, and BMETs are responsible for fixing them when they fail in emergency situations.
On average, BMETs have an annual mean wage of $55,090. This number is higher for professionals that are specialized in certain kinds of technology or have more experience.
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What do you call someone who fixes medical equipment?
Medical equipment needs to be installed carefully and must be regularly maintained. Moreover, when an equipment presents any kind of technical problem, fixing it is often an urgent matter in hospitals and clinics.
The work of health professionals relies on the correct functioning of medical devices, and the lives of patients can be endangered when they present a failure. That’s why there are professionals that train and study to prevent that and make sure medical equipment runs smoothly.
Biomedical equipment technicians, often abbreviated as BMETs, are electro-mechanical technicians that service, repair, and maintain medical equipment. Another common name for this profession is medical equipment service technician, but both names refer to the same thing.
BMETs are familiar with a wide variety of medical machinery, but they often specialise in certain kinds of devices. These include medical imaging, laboratory equipment, nuclear imaging, surgical equipment and even surgical robots.
The work of a medical equipment service technician goes beyond just repairing machines. They also have the responsibility of instructing operators how to use their devices in the safest and most efficient way. For that reason, they need to be capable of working closely with nurses, medics and other health professionals. This is especially important when it comes to performing the often complicated installations of more advanced medical equipment.
Biomedical equipment technicians need to be aware of the latest advancements in their field of medical technology and be ready to work under pressure.
What does BMET stand for?
BMET is an acronym that stands for Biomedical equipment technicians. BMETs are electro-mechanical technicians whose tasks include servicing, repairing, and maintaining medical equipment. Their aim is to make sure that medical equipment is properly installed, works safely and correctly and is ready to be used at a notice.
What does a medical equipment technician do?
The job of a medical equipment technician goes beyond the most obvious technical tasks. BMETs don’t just have to handle machines, but also the way other medical staff use them. These are the main duties of a BMET:
- Installing medical equipment. Depending on the machine, this crucial process can be complicated and usually requires some level of coordination.
- Servicing and maintaining machines. Biomedical equipment requires regular maintenance and routine checks.
- Repairing faulty machines. When a medical device suddenly starts failing or isn’t working properly, the hospital or clinic may call a BMET to fix the situation, sometimes with urgency.
- Educating the users of the machines. A BMET’s job can include training operators of a medical device or simply assessing its users on how to care for it and use it properly. This can include people that aren’t health professionals but have a medical device at home.
- Planning the acquisition of medical equipment. In senior positions, medical equipment service technicians may be in charge of assessing an institution’s need for medical equipment, planning its acquisition and determining where and how they should be installed.
This is a job that can be highly stressful on occasion. There is often pressure to have a machine working correctly as soon as possible, since a patient’s life could be at risk. This can involve working at odd hours and answering emergency calls.
One of the most important skills a BMET can have is dexterity, since their job involves handling tools, assembling parts and a lot of eye-to-hand coordination. Repairing equipment can also be physically demanding, which is why BMETs will benefit immensely from having strong stamina.
Stamina also comes in handy in intense situations, like those that come up in emergencies. These can involve some level of conflict, which is why a medical equipment technician should be able to communicate clearly and cooperate with others.
BMETs, depending on whether they work for a health institution or third-party provider, may have to travel long distances in order to get to their clients.
Is certification required to work as a biomedical equipment technician?
Certification is not necessary for entry level jobs as a BMET, but they might be required for specializing and advancing to higher level jobs.
Most jobs in the medical equipment service industry require some degree of education, but it depends on the kind of job to expect to land. In fact, technicians without any higher education can land low level jobs by doing on-the-job training, but this is usually limited for simpler procedures like repairing hospital beds and wheelchairs.
The most common road to becoming a BMET is getting an associate’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering, which is sufficient to land a level entry job, with higher job positions requiring about two years of experience.
For attaining higher level jobs or getting into a certain specialization, a bachelor’s degree is the best option. Going for a 4 year bachelor’s degree instead of the 2 years associate’s degree widens the horizon of possible jobs and career advancement. There are bachelor degrees designed for BMETs, but a degree in an adjacent field will also be an excellent addition.
A great way to seek job advancement as a BMET is to get certified. BMETs with a minimum of an associate’s degree and two years of experience can become a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET). Other available certifications are Certified Radiology Equipment Specialists (CRES) and Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLEB), depending on the desired area of expertise.
Is there a high demand for biomedical engineers?
There is a good outlook for the future of jobs in the area of medical equipment service. They are expected to grow by 5 percent from 2019 to 2029.
The demand for BMETs will have the largest growth in countries where higher life expectancies and an increase of older adults are expected, since ageing populations require more medical care.
Since biomedical equipment service is a rather niche field, there is always a demand for more technicians. However, this also means that jobs tend to be geographically scattered.
BMETs enjoy a high work security and tend to work in the same place for long periods of time. This also means that job openings are infrequent.
Do biomedical equipment technicians work on call?
Whether a BMET works on call depends mainly on where they are employed.
There are several work environments that are common for BMETs. Biomedical equipment technicians are often employed in health systems like hospitals and clinics, where they might play the role of an interim technician.
Medical equipment technicians may also work in retail centers or wholesalers of medical equipment. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is the most common employer of BMETs.
Some BMETs also work as freelance contractors.
Do you need a BMET or a medical equipment repairer? Click here
BMETs that work in retail tend to work full time on regular business hours and may be on call outside their shifts. On the other hand, BMETs employed by hospitals are expected to work evening and overnight hours, as well as being available for emergencies.
Biomedical equipment technicians specialized on repairs tend to work on call and have to be ready to work near patients.
When employed by an institution, BMETs can expect to work on office duties such as record keeping and reviewing product manuals.
Conclusion
Biomedical equipment technicians are an increasingly important part of the health system. Many health professionals depend on their medical devices to perform their work, and equipment failure could be a fatal matter in some situations. BMETs make sure these machines function without issues and fix any problems that might arise.
As the older population grows, the demand for medical equipment service will only increase in the following decades. In addition to that, BMETs also enjoy a high job security and are rarely laid off.
The best way to pursue a career as a medical equipment technician is to study either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering. A certificate can greatly increase job advancement opportunities.
If you need maintenance or repairs for your medical equipment, the most important thing to keep in mind when looking for a service is trustworthiness. Medilex has over a decade of experience in providing dependable technical support in Latin America and the Caribbean, and our factory trained technicians and can bring your instruments and equipment to factory specs.
Please contact us if you have any issues with your medical equipment.
