Biomedical Equipment Technician

A Bio-Medical Equipment Technician, also referred to as a Biomed, Biomedical Engineering Technologist

(BMET), Biomed Equipment Technician, a Biomedical Equipment Specialist (BES) or Electronics and Biomedical Engineer (EBME) is a highly skilled electromechanical technologist that ensures that medical equipment is safe, functional and properly configured. They are employed by hospitals, clinics, private sector, and the military. These persons install, inspect, maintain, repair, calibrate, modify and design biomedical equipment and support systems to adhere to medical standard guidelines. Biomeds are involved in the total management of healthcare technology beyond repairs and scheduled maintenance; such as, capitol asset planning, project management, budgeting and personnel management, designing interfaces and integrating medical systems, training end-users to utilize medical technology, and evaluating new devices for acquisition. BMETs educate and advise staff and other agencies on theory of operation, physiological principles, and safe clinical application of biomedical equipment maintaining the facility's patient care and medical staff equipment.

The acceptance of the biomedical equipment technician in the private sector was given a big push in 1970 when consumer advocate Ralph Nader wrote an article in which he claimed, "At least 1,200 people a year are electrocuted and many more are killed or injured in needless electrical accidents in hospitals."

These technicians perform much work in the biomedical/clinical engineering field that consists of and cover a vast array of different fields and devices. However, in many cases there is a separation of responsibilities where the Biomedical Technologist works strictly with all patient care equipment, while an Imaging Repair Specialist works strictly on medical/diagnostic imaging equipment.

Examples of different areas of Medical equipment technology are: Diagnostic Imaging: Radiographic and fluoroscopic X-ray, Diagnostic ultrasound, Mammography, Nuclear Imaging, Positron emission tomography (PET), Medical imaging, Computed Tomography (CT), Linear Tomography, Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI scanner)

Biomedical Technology Physiological monitoring, Electron microscope, Sterilization, LASERs, Dental, Telemedicine, Heart Lung Device, DaVinci Surgical Robot, Optometry, Surgical Instruments, Infusion pumps, Surgical instruments, Anesthesia, Laboratory, Dialysis, Respiratory Services (ventilators) Computer Networking Systems integration, Information Technology, Patient Monitoring, and Cardiac Diagnostics

BMETs work closely with nursing staff, and Medical Material personnel to obtain parts, supplies, and equipment and even closer with facility management to coordinate equipment installations requiring certain facility requirements/modifications.

Regulatory issues

BMETs must conform with safety regulations, and most biomedical systems must have documentation to show that they were managed, modified, tested, delivered, and used according to a planned, approved process that increases the quality and safety of diagnostics and therapeutic equipment and reduces the risk of harm to patients and staff.

In the United States, BMETs may operate under various regulatory frameworks. Clinical devices and technologies are generally governed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) particularly NFPA 99 and chapter 7, NFPA 70, Life Safety Code 101, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 21, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) hospital or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care standards; and ensures compliance with these codes and standards for the US government registry of biomedical devices.

Other countries typically have their own mechanisms for regulation.

Biomedical equipment technology training

Traditionally, biomedical equipment technology has been an interdisciplinary field to specialize in after completing an Associate degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology, Biomedical Electronics Technology, or Biomedical Engineering Technology. Some BMETs get their training through the military.

Most entry-level BMETs enter into the field with a 2-year associate's degree in biomedical equipment technology, or they spend about one year in full-time military training. A 4-year graduate is an applied engineer who can perform the same medical equipment management duties as a clinical engineer, BMET Manager, or Director/Executive. Practical experience is gained through internships. Continuing education in the form of service schools is typically provided by specific medical device manufacturers. BMET educational degree programs can be accredited by the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) or the ATMAE (Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering) both of whom offer specialised/programmatic accreditation for BMET programs.

Professional certification

Many BMETs pursue professional certification, such as satisfying certain education requirements and passing an examination from the International Certification Commission (ICC) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) to become a certified biomedical equipment technician (CBET), that is an accomplished generalized certification in the field covering many facets. There are three other certifications BMETs can obtain such as: Certified Radiology Equipment Specialists (CRES) that specializes more specifically in diagnostic imaging, radiological, and nuclear medicine equipment, Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialists (CLES) that covers the abundance of equipment found in the many different kinds of laboratory environments, and even the less well known Certified Nephrology Equipment Specialist (CNES) that specifically specializes in nephrology and hemodialysis equipment. One can also choose to obtain the Biomedical Electronics Technician certification (BMD) from the Electronics Technician Association (ETA) after first obtaining the Associate Electronics Technician certification (CET). In most cases, carrying the title of "CBET" is highly encouraged, not mandatory, and is respected within the technical community.

Employment

In-House: BMETs work in the hospital's Biomedical or Clinical Engineering Department, but can also find employment with a third-party independent service organization (ISO) or original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

A group of 30 influential persons in Biomed met on April 28 and 29, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia to examine the future of the Biomedical / Clinical Engineering / Medical Equipment Maintenance field, and to select the most appropriate name for the profession. Most of the cost was born by AAMI, who contracted professional facilitators to guide the process. AAMI was a participant, like everyone else, but didn’t exert a domineering role in the process. After two grueling days, we did arrive at a best name, based upon all of the factors. The name chosen was “Healthcare Technology Management”. The finalists were Clinical Engineering, Clinical Technology, and a few others. There was debate as to whether the final word in the name should be Support, Service or Management. After careful debate, the vast majority decided on “Healthcare Technology Management”. Everyone in the room stated that they could support the new name.

We felt that this name was accurate, easily understood by the public and other healthcare workers, and allowed for expansion of the field in the future. The word “Engineering” was limiting (from the administrator’s perspective) and unworkable from the educator’s perspective. (A college would never name an associate’s degree program “Engineering”.) Likewise, the name “Clinical” was now clear, and limited the scope of the profession to hospitals, when healthcare is clearly moving outside of the hospital. Lastly, the names “Support” and “Service” seemed to be passive and imply a sideline role instead of a leadership role.