Q: What is a BMET
or Biomed?
A: Biomedical
Equipment Technicians (BMET) are responsible for the performance
and maintenance of a hospital's
patient care equipment. Their duties include: maintenance (returning
equipment to operational status), preventative maintenance
(periodically insuring each of the hospitals thousands of devices
are functioning properly), and assisting
with the procurement of new devices and contracts, training
users in the operation and care of equipment and evaluating
failures. With such a variety of equipment and tasks
there are opportunities for advancement and diversity while
knowing that you are a significant member of the
health care delivery team.
Q: What equipment
is a BMET responsible?
A: A large community general hospital
may have 10,000 devices. All must be uniquely defined and
records maintained of their maintenance and performance
history. This is a large task itself, requiring dedicated
computer database applications. A random list of equipment
includes: Electrocardiographs, Electroencephalographs,
X-ray , MRI, Blood warmers, infusion pumps, humidifiers,
cell counters, cell washers, dialysis machines, physiological
mentoring systems, anesthesia machines, hospital beds,
microscopes, lasers, ultrasonic imaging, sterilizers, blood
gas analyzers, ventilators, surgical lamps, clinical lab
analyzers, electrosurgical unit, resuscitators, The industry
organizations ECRI maintains a categorized list of over6,000
types.
Q: What are the job
opportunities?
A: Most BMETs are hospital employees of
a department called Clinical Engineering or Biomedical
Engineering or hired by an organization contracted to perform
these services. These department’s responsibilities
vary between institutions and may service thousands of
devices from beds and scales to large X-ray systems and
digital imaging networks. Few institutions have the staff
to support everything so responsibility for some are contracted
out to the equipment manufacturers or thirds party service
organizations. They in turn hire BMETs a Field Service
Engineers to maintain unique equipment for many institutions
in an area or even country wide.
Q: How many BMETS
are there?
A: In 2000 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational
Outlook Handbook estimated there were 11,000 positions
equivalent to a BMET. However 2006-7 edition reports 29,000
an almost 3 fold increase in 6 years.
Q: Is special education
required?
A: Typically one obtains an Associates
degree in BMET from a community college or if in the Military
Service, completing the Sheppard Air Force Base’s
Department of Defense BMET School course. Others receive
on-the-job-training (OJT) and attend manufacturer’s
classes after receiving formal training in electronics.
After employment continuing education for certification
(CBET), manufacturer’s classes or completion of a
BS degree offer paths for advancement and increased calery.
Q: What will BMETs
learn in school?
A: They will obtain a basic understanding
of health sciences physiology and anatomy and their terminology.
Preparation also includes math, physics and electronics
and the ability to navigate schematics. Classes cover basics
of sensors and rudiments of data acquisition. A cooperative
education (co-op) or internship periods expose students
to the realities of current equipment. See link to learn
more.
Q: What type of person
could be a future BMET?
A: Future BMETS should be endowed with a variety of attributes.
On the technical side are the abilities to reason, solve problems and
enjoy challenges. Communicative skills are extremely important, not only
with your peers, but with those who use the equipment from doctors to
nurses and laboratory technicians and other support departments as purchasing,
IT and accounting. The person should be self-motivated; dedicated to
customer service and improving themselves; ability of working independently
or on a team and capable of setting priorities;
Q: Can you describe
a typical day on the job?
A: Over a period of a year, half you time is spent performing
PMs. Much of the remainder of the day is spent repairing unplanned equipment
failures. If life support equipment failed you may become a sleuth to
determine what went wrong. The remainder may be on the phone answering
questions about equipment use or issues, performing in-service training
or evening recommending a product or service for purchase.
Q: Are there opportunities
for advancement?
A: Advancement can occur along many paths. There are hundreds
of equipment types around the hospital for one to be an expert on all.
However by expressing an interest in various equipment types your value
increases. Much of today’s equipment is connected via networks
so capability in IT and connectivity plus medical devices allows advancement
opportunities in either camp. Medium and large hospitals require many
BMETs which results in management opportunities. This usually requires
continuing education or management training. Additional growth in the
field increases with chains or outsourcing organizations.
Q: What is the salary
of a BMET?
A: In 2005 an average BMET on the Pacific Coast has 16 years
experience and earned almost $60K/year a 10% increase over 2004. Newcomers
to the field will earn over $20K less per year. Certified, management
and specialists earn more. Click
here 24/7 Magazine to view this year’s BMET salary survey.
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