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How to Become a Biomedical Equipment Technician

replicant | Dec 28, 2011 |

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If you’ve ever had a stay in the hospital, you know how much you and your caregivers depended upon medical equipment. From equipment that monitors vital signs to the machinery built into each bed, all of health care is infused with the latest in technology--technology that requires inspection, repair, and replacement. Perhaps it’s not surprising that biomedical equipment technicians are in high demand. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job openings in this field are expanding at 27% annually, far faster than the average for all occupations.

Biomedical equipment technicians install, test, maintain, and repair equipment a huge array of equipment, including surgery robots, x-ray machines, centrifuges, MRI scanners, but some technicians specialize in only one area, such as radiology equipment.

The median earnings for biomedical equipment technicians is $54,397, according to Salary.com, and the top 10% earn more than $65,000.

The job is so appealing that US News & World Report recently named it a “Best Career.” If you want a job in health care that is involves no gore, but plenty of challenges and rewards, you may want to become a biomedical equipment technician.

Decide if this is the right career for you. A career as a biomedical equipment technician (BMET) is best suited for people who are technically-oriented, and who like to diagnose and solve problems. An interest in electronics and information technology is essential.

Get trained. Although you may start work as a biomedical equipment technician with a high school diploma, followed by on-the-job training, a more rapid career path involves higher education. Aspiring biomedical equipment technicians can prepare for their careers with an associate of applied science (AAS) degree. Many community colleges offer degrees in biomedical equipment technology. Some of the leading schools include DeVry University,, Texas State Technical College, Indiana University, and Caldwell Community College (North Carolina). This is a hands-on career, and so training is mainly face-to-face, although some programs have distance components. Lectures in BMET classrooms emphasize the development of troubleshooting skills and applied electronics.
For those who want to go further with their BMET education, some schools offer bachelor degrees.

Get certified. Certification is not required for biomedical technicians, but it is a way to distinguish yourself from your peers. There is more than one option, but the most common certification is Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET). You become a CBET by meeting the application requirements and taking an exam consisting of 150 questions. Check the AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) website for complete details.