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A Bio-Medical Equipment Technician, usually reffered to as a Biomedical Engineering Technologist (BMET) is a highly skilled technologist that ensures that medical equipment is safe, functional and properly configured. They are employed by hospitals, clinics, private sector, and the military. These men and women install, inspect, maintain, repair, calibrate, modify and design biomedical equipment and support systems to adhere to medical standard guidelines. BMETs educate and advise staff and other agencies on theory of operation, basic 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.
Examples of different areas of biomedical equipment technology are: Radiographic and flouroscopic x-ray, Diagnostic ultrasound, LASERs, Mammography, Telemedicine, Film image processing, Nuclear Medicine, Gamma cameras, Positron emission tomography (PET), Medical imaging, Computed Tomography (CT), Electron microscope, Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), Magnetic Resonance Imaging instrument (MRI scanner), Physiological monitoring, Sterilization, Dental, Optometry, Surgical, Anesthesia, Laboratory, Dialysis, Respiratory Services (ventilators) Computers, Information Technology, Patient Monitoring, and Cardiac Diagnostics
BMETs work closely with nursing staff, and Medical Materiel personnel to obtain parts, supplies, and equipment and even closer with facility management to coordinate equipment installations requiring certain facility requirements/modifications.
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Regulatory issues
BMETs must conform with safety regulations, and most biomedical systems must have documentation to show that they were managed, modified, tested, delivered, .riverland 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 different regulatory frameworks. Clinical devices and technologies are generally governed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA 99) particularly 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.
Professional certification
Many BMETs pursue professional certification, such as satisfying certain education requirements and passing an examination to become a certified biomedical equipment technican (CBET). There are two other certifications BMETs can obtain such as: Certified Radiology Equipment Specialists (CRES), and Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialists (CLES). In many 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).
Field Service: BMETs working for an OEM or ISO are many times called Field Service Engineers (FSE). FSE are more narrowly focused and specialized technicians who support Service and Sales.
Both must face increased risk of contact with electrical, mechanical, high pressure steam, noise, blood borne diseases, LASERs, chemicals and nuclear contaminates.
Military Roles
All military members entering the BMET career field receive comprehensive down to the component level and theory technical training. Prior to 1998, Army and Navy BMETs received training at the United States Army Equipment and Optical School (USAMEOS) at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center (FAMC) in Aurora, Colorado. Only after a July 1995 Base Realignment Closure Commission decided to close FAMC did the Army and Navy merge with the Air Force, conducting training at the DoD Biomedical Equipment Technician Training School. This school has a partnership with Aims Community College where students receive 81 quarter credits (from the Community College of the Air Force) toward an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree with an emphasis in Biomedical Electronic Technology. In addition to the credits acquired from DoD BMET Training School, a minimum of 24 credits must be completed through Aims Community College to receive a degree.
United States Air Force
- Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 4A2X1 (where X represents the corresponding skill level 3, 5, 7 or 9)
- Air Force Instruction 41-201, "Managing Clinical Engineering Programs"
- More at about.com
- More at airforce.com
- Career Field Education & Training Plan (pdf)
United States Army
- Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) 68A.
- The Army recently redesignated this MOS from 91A to MOS 68A. (Also formerly MOS 35G & 35U)
- More at about.com
- More at goarmy.com
- Military Occupation Specialty - Warrant Officer (MOS) 670A Health Services Maintenance Technician.
- Navy Enlisted Codes HM-8479, HM-8478, HM-8410 and HM-8732 (Dental Repair Technician)
History of the HM-8410 NEC
October 30, 2006 - HM-8410 was established and HM-8732 NEC was disestabilshed. Former HM-8732s were DNEC and given the 8479 NEC. This was done only due to the fact that the HM-8732 was disestabilished. HM-8732 billets were converted to HM-8479 billets.
January 1, 2007, HM-8478 and HM-8479 have converted to one NEC: HM-8410
- Navy BMETs follow the guidelines stated in the NAVMED P-5132.
Further reading
- Bowles, Roger "Techcareers: Biomedical Equipment Technicians" TSTC Publishing
- Dyro, Joseph., Clinical Engineering Handbook (Biomedical Engineering).
- Khandpur, R. S. "Biomedical Instrumentation: Technology and Applications". McGraw Hills
- Northrop, Robert B., "Noninvasive Instrumentation and Measurement in Medical Diagnosis (Biomedical Engineering)".
- Webb, Andrew G., "Introduction to Biomedical Imaging (IEEE Press Series on Biomedical Engineering)".
- Yadin David, Wolf W. von Maltzahn, Michael R. Neuman, and Joseph D. Bronzino,. Clinical Engineering (Principles and Applications in Engineering).
References
External links
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