This post provides detailed information on the job description of a biomedical equipment technician (BMET), including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.
(You will be able to download the biomedical equipment technician job description template in pdf below.)
It also highlights the important requirements you may be expected to fulfill to me hired for the biomedical equipment technician role by most employers.
What Does a Biomedical Equipment Technician Do?
A biomedical equipment technician maintains, repairs, and tests a wide range of medical equipment used in healthcare facilities.
Their job description involves the installation and maintenance of biomedical equipment.
They are experts in medical equipment used in hospitals, surgery suites, dental and radiology, and medical doctor offices.
Among the subsidiary tasks that they carry out, the biomedical equipment technician may also participate in preparing reports by analyzing and collecting data and trends, keeping records of all maintenance and repairs, and providing technical information on how to operate medical equipment.
The equipment they work on includes patient monitoring systems, surgical instruments, and imaging devices.
A biomedical equipment technician’s responsibilities can be as simple as performing preventive maintenance and inventory management, or as complex as installing biomedical equipment and ensuring it meets regulatory standards and functions correctly.
They are also expected to diagnose problems, conduct repairs, and carry out periodic maintenance checks to keep biomedical equipment in good condition.
Biomedical equipment technicians engage in a wide range of activities using tools and technologies, ranging from basic maintenance and installation tools to advanced diagnostic equipment targeted at high-performance lab jobs.
They may also be asked to install new equipment, modify the equipment to nurses’ and doctors’ specifications, and advice healthcare professionals on how to take proper care of their equipment.
Biomedical equipment technicians typically interact with medical professionals, patients and hospital staff members and administrators.
Where Biomedical Equipment Technicians can Work
Biomedical equipment technicians work mostly in local lab centers, but there are more opportunities also in renowned hospitals, in biomedical equipment manufacturing companies, or within any other service centers that specialize in biomedical tools.
Some biomedical equipment technicians primarily work in healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics, where they maintain and repair various medical devices.
They also work in private practice offices or run their own repair business.
Not all regions view the role of a biomedical equipment technician as being equivalently important.
In highly medical countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, biomedical equipment technicians are in high demand.
Biomedical Equipment Technicians also play an important role in supporting those who depend on biomedical equipment for survival in urban centers across the globe.
Biomedical Equipment Technician Training and Certification
While formal education is not strictly necessary, many employers prefer those who have completed specialized training in biomedical equipment technology.
Technical schools or community colleges offer this kind of training. Some go further to attend certification programs for the biomedical equipment technician.
For example, the Biomedical Equipment Technician Certification is one that is highly regarded within the industry and that can be of special benefit to job candidates.
On-the-job training is also quite common; here, a biomedical equipment technician will be able to learn from their fellow professionals.
In performing their duties, biomedical equipment technicians may be expected to adhere to national and local laws that provide safety standards to follow.
For example, in the United States, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) sets industry standards and offers the most widely recognized certification for biomedical equipment technicians, the Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET).
In the UK, the UKAS (The United Kingdom Accreditation Service) is the national accreditation body authorized by the government to provide accreditation for biomedical equipment technicians who intend to further their career.
The organization was established to assess and accredit organizations that offer various services, including certification and testing.
Specifically, UKAS accredits organizations that provide services related to healthcare, including diagnostic and scientific services.
Biomedical Equipment Technician Employment Requirements
Employers often seek the services of biomedical equipment technicians who are proficient in the use of diagnostic tools and software for troubleshooting biomedical devices.
Biomedical equipment knowledge, technical skills, and the ability to repair machinery with careful concentration are highly recognized and attractive to employers.
Employers also need people who have physical fitness as the operations may be somehow demanding.
Biomedical Equipment Technician Job Description Example/Sample/Template
The biomedical equipment technician job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:
- Maintaining and repairing medical equipment
- Cleaning and adjusting medical equipment
- Assessing and adjusting equipment parts to determine what needs repair or replacement
- Approving new equipment and ensuring it meets regulation standards
- Teaching others how to use biomedical equipment
- Evaluating service contracts
- Replacing medical equipment when necessary
- Repairing medical equipment with computers, software, and electronic tools
- Using professional networks, medical journals, and education to update skills
- Keeping patient information confidential
- Installing, calibrating, and validating biomedical equipment, ensuring it meets regulatory standards and functions correctly
- Working closely with clinical staff and provide training on equipment operation, troubleshooting, and safety protocols
- Staying current with emerging technologies and industry standards to recommend upgrades and improvements
- Collaborating with vendors and manufacturers for equipment procurement and technical support.
Biomedical Equipment Technician Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success
Biomedical equipment technicians require certain technical skills, industry knowledge, and a number of personal attributes to be successful on the job and in their careers, as well as to qualify for hiring by most employers.
They include:
- Maintenance and Repair Skills: Biomedical equipment technicians need to have strong maintenance and repair skills to be able to effectively inspect, maintain, and repair medical equipment, including performing routine maintenance and complex troubleshooting.
- Knowledge of Testing and Certification: They need to have a good knowledge of testing and certification to be able to carry out careful testing and certification of medical equipment, to make sure that accuracy and safety is ascertained.
- Ability to Perform Safety Checks: Biomedical equipment technicians must be able to perform safety checks on equipment to identify potential hazards and prevent accidents.
- Ability to Provide Training and Education: Technicians should be able to train and educate healthcare professionals on the safe and effective use of medical equipment.
- Knowledge of Equipment Management: With good knowledge of equipment management, biomedical equipment technicians are able to work with other staff to assess equipment needs, order supplies, and manage equipment inventory.
- Ability to Perform Preventive Maintenance: Biomedical equipment technicians should be able to carry out preventive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and ensure optimal equipment performance.
- Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Skills: They should have the ability to diagnose and troubleshoot equipment problems using a variety of tools and techniques.
- Documentation Skills: Biomedical equipment technicians should have the ability to maintain accurate records of equipment maintenance, repairs, and testing.
- Technical Skills: They should have strong understanding of electronics, electrical engineering, and mechanical systems.
- Problem-solving Skills: Biomedical equipment technicians need to have the ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues effectively.
- Organizational Skills: The ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize responsibilities effectively is also an important skill a biomedical equipment technician should have.
- Hand-eye Coordination: Biomedical equipment technicians need to have a strong hand-eye coordination to boost their dexterity and precision in working with tools and equipment.
- Physical Demands: It is also very important for biomedical equipment technicians to have the ability to lift heavy equipment and work in various environments.
- Education: Biomedical equipment technicians need to possess a university degree in Biomedical Technology or related field, or an Associate’s degree with relevant certifications.
- Communication skills: Biomedical equipment technicians have contact regularly with patients when servicing different types of biomedical equipment. They’ll also spend a lot of time training others and meeting with hospital administrators and medical professionals. As a result of this, it’s essential to have good communication skills to communicate technical information visibly and in a few words to both technical and non-technical personnel.
- Technology skills: As expected for a technician, it’s important to have strong technology skills since they work with both machines and technology, and develop the ability to troubleshoot problems and carry out repairs.
Download biomedical equipment technician job description template (pdf).
Biomedical Equipment Technician Job Description for Resume
If you have worked before as a biomedical equipment technician or are presently working in that role and are making a resume or CV for a new job, then you can create a compelling Professional Experience for your resume by applying the sample biomedical equipment technician job description provided above.
You can express the duties and responsibilities you have carried out as a biomedical equipment technician in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones provided in the above biomedical equipment technician job description example.
This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been successful working as a biomedical equipment technician, which can boost your chances of getting the new job, especially if it requires someone with some biomedical equipment technician work experience.
Conclusion
This post has provided detailed coverage of the biomedical equipment technician job description, highlighting the major responsibilities and duties that they typically perform.
It has also presented the skills, qualities, and education you need to have to gain an employment and succeed in your career as a BMET.
A biomedical equipment technician is an important person that ensures that lab equipment is not only safe to use but also achieve running efficiency.
To any enthusiast of equipment repairs, this may be a quite satisfying job and career since one gets to interact with diagnostic equipment daily just like people of similar tastes.
Employers looking to hire competent biomedical equipment technicians can apply the job description example provided above in making one for their company.
