What is a Biomedical Equipment Technician
Have you ever wondered who maintains and repairs the high tech equipment you see in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and intensive care units in hospitals? Probably not. The truth is...most people don't even think twice about it...until they, or a loved one, is looking up at it, hearing the constant "beep, beep, beep," and seeing the numbers and strange waveforms that immediately strikes fear into the hearts of the uninitiated.
Maybe you have always thought about a career in healthcare but the thought of working with patients, blood, and body fluids, leaves you a little queasy. And the thought of being behind a computer all day isn't your cup of tea either. Good news, there is a career field out there with the rewards of helping people but from behind the scenes.
Biomedical equipment technicians repair, maintain, and calibrate the highly sophisticated, life-saving, and life-treating devices you see in shows like "Gray's Anatomy" and "ER." These devices include defibrillators, ventilators, x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, infusion pumps, patient monitors, and hundreds of other types of medical electronic equipment. Biomedical equipment technicians, or BMETs as they are sometimes called, enjoy different challenges throughout the hospital every day. In fact, no two days are ever alike. BMETs also train operators of these medical devices on the proper operation and safety of these devices thereby reducing medical errors.
The New York Times recently called Biomedical Equipment Technician a "recession-proof" job. It stands to reason. As more and more baby boomers reach retirement age, more will require medical care...which means more equipment, larger hospitals, more BMETs. Look around. Chances are you will not have to look far for a healthcare facility near you expanding.
BMETs typically have an associate of applied science degree in biomedical equipment technology or are trained in the military. Few civilian schools exist but several good ones exist in Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, and several other states. With a two-year degree, it is not uncommon for BMETs to start at a beginning salary of between $30K to 42K a year...moving up as they gain experience.
BMETS typically work for hospitals as "in-house" BMETs or for Independent Service Organizations (ISO's sometimes now referred to as MVSO's -Multivendor Service Organizations) such as Aramark, Masterplan, GE Healthcare, or many, many others throughout the US. BMETs may also work for major medical equipment manufacturers as field service representatives.
The field may sound new but it has been around since the early 1970's. It requires a good knowledge of electronics, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, computer networking, mechanical ability, and most importantly - customer service skills. It requires individuals dedicated to patient safety and a willingness to always do the job right-like you or a family member might be the next person to use a machine.
Some useful websites for prospective BMETs include: www.24x7mag.com, www.aami.org, http://waco.tstc.edu/bet, and www.mymeta.org
