What is a Biomed?

Lets start off with some definitions:

• Biomed / Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET): A BMET usually goes by many names. Among them are Clinical Engineer, BMET, Biomedical Engineer and Medical Equipment Technician. We are the unsung heroes in hospitals and the HTM (Healthcare Technology Management) field in general. We are the people who maintain the medical capital equipment, including your defibrillators, patient monitors, hospital beds, MRIs, etc. Many people have never even heard of a biomed before you tell them what one is.
• Healthcare Technology Management (HTM): Another name for the career field of Biomed, but instead encompassing the managers, technicians, engineers, field-service, software support, IT; pretty much everyone that supports the medical equipment infrastructure. A good starting point for HTM is on the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation’s (AAMI)’s HTM in a Box, which is designed to promote the HTM field.

But what does a biomed actually do? According to the Journal of Clinical Engineering :: American College of Clinical Engineering :: Clinical Engineering Division; Walter Reed Army Medical Center:

The responsibilities of a BMET may include installation, calibration, inspection, preventive maintenance, and repair of biomedical and related technical equipment. Additional responsibilities may include operation of equipment, equipment control and safety. In research facilities, BMETs may also be involved in the modification of equipment.

That’s right, biomeds are not just employed by hospitals, but can also find work in clinics, research labs, and medical equipment manufacturing. Some examples of “biomedical equipment”, again from the Journal of Clinical Engineering :: American College of Clinical Engineering :: Clinical Engineering Division; Walter Reed Army Medical Center, are:

Examples of equipment may include imaging, hemodialysis, physiological monitoring systems; EKG’s, EEG’s, physical therapy, lasers, sterilizers, dental equipment, etc. Due to the diversity of the equipment specialization is sometimes required.

For those interested in embarking on a career in biomedical equipment repair, Justin Barbour’s “A Better Biomed” on YouTube offers an excellent introduction to medical equipment maintenance. This comprehensive playlist guides beginners through the foundational aspects of the biomedical field.

According to 24×7 Magazine’s 2023 salary survey, the median pay in 2023 for a BMET I was $56,400 or approx. $27.12/hr. The vast majority of employers prefer at least an Associate’s Degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology/Electronics for entry-level postions; however with a largely aging workforce, predictions are that in the near future there will be more jobs than there are qualified technicians to fill them. This is predicted to create opportunity for individuals with transferrable skills.