Whether it's fixing an electric wheelchair or inspecting ultrasound equipment, medical equipment repairers need to have the knowledge and skills to fix machinery used in a wide range of healthcare services. These workers typically work within healthcare settings, using specialized tools and diagnostic equipment.
Medical Equipment Repair Schools
The general minimum for entry in this field is a two-year associate degree program in biomedical equipment technology or a similar engineering program. Students can chose from medical equipment repair schools offering on-campus programs, online degree programs or a combination of the two. A bachelor's degree may be required for entry-level positions for those who want to work with more sophisticated equipment, such as defibrillators or complex imaging scanners. The following is a list of schools offering a range of degree types that apply to this field:
- Wayne County Community College District: This community college located in downtown Detroit offers an associate degree in biomedical equipment repair technology. The program provides students with proficiency in the highly technical equipment and tools used in health care facilities.
- Tallahassee Community College: Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this community college offers a central sterile processing technologist certificate. These technicians are a type of medical equipment repairer that specialize in sterilizing reusable surgical equipment.
- Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis: This public research university offers an associate degree in biomedical engineering technology that prepares graduates for a career as a biomedical engineering technician.
Medical Equipment Repair Education Requirements
An associate degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering usually covers the medical equipment repairer education requirements. In a degree program, students often learn about:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Circuit Analysis
- Digital Logic
- Electronics
- Math for Digital Electronics
A bachelor's degree can be advantageous for advancement or for those who want to specialize in a certain area, such as working on imaging equipment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Medical Equipment Repair Certification and Licensing
While an associate degree is typically needed to enter the field, follow-up training from about three to six months often occurs on the job so that medical equipment repairers can gain even more skills and insight. Medical equipment repairer training should be a regular and expected part of the job.
Medical equipment repairers can attain certification which can help them become more competitive in the field. Though it is not necessary for employment, these certification programs help medical repair technicians stay up-to-date with ever-changing medical technology. Applicants with certifications are often more likely to be promoted than applicants without certifications, according to the BLS. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) has certification available in three areas, including:
- Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)
- Certified Radiology Equipment Specialists (CRES)
- Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLEB)
Licensing is not necessary to a medical equipment repair career. Instead, medical equipment repairers can seek certification if they want to show that they are competent and knowledgeable.
Resources for Medical Equipment Repairers
- Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
- Electronics Technicians Association International
- International Society of Electronics Technicians
- Medical Equipment Repair Associates (MERA)
Sources:
- Biomedical Equipment Repair Technology, Wayne County Community College District. http://www.wcccd.edu/academic/pdfs/Bio-Medical%20Repair%20PS%209-2014%20FINAL.pdf
- Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, http://www.iupui.edu/~cletcrse/webpages/bmet.html
- Medical Equipment Repairers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/medical-equipment-repairers.htm
- Medical Equipment Repairers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499062.htm
- Summary Report for Medical Equipment Repairers, O*NET OnLine. http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-9062.00
- Tallahassee Community College, http://catalog.tcc.fl.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=10&poid=117
