Biomedical Equipment Technician
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“Healthcare technology management (HTM), a crucial but often overlooked field, plays a vital role in hospitals. We, as biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs), manage the entire lifecycle of medical devices, ensuring their safe and effective operation. Our responsibilities have expanded beyond repairs to include cybersecurity, and protecting patient and data safety.”
Danielle C. McGeary, MSBME, Vice President of Healthcare Technology Management, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
The job title biomedical technician can sound alarming to someone with no experience in the medical field. But the truth is that healthcare relies heavily on technical machinery to provide accurate results and care for patients. Therefore, becoming a biomedical equipment technician is an excellent pathway into the rapidly expanding healthcare industry for people who are more mechanically minded and less interested in interacting with patients directly.
A biomedical technician, also known as a biomedical equipment technician (or BMET for short), specializes in calibrating, maintaining, and repairing the medical machinery used in a healthcare facility. Most entry-level positions require a two-year degree, and more advanced roles require a four-year degree.
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) differentiates objective skills from each type of program: “Graduates of associate degree programs typically have strengths in the building, testing, operation, and maintenance of existing biomedical equipment or systems, whereas baccalaureate degree graduates are well prepared for development and implementation of computer systems […] These program criteria apply to engineering technology programs that include healthcare, bioengineering, biomedical, biomedical equipment, clinical technology, medical equipment, medical electronics, or similar modifiers in their titles.”
There are three general pathways to pursuing a career in bioengineering technology. For instance, someone already working in healthcare can pursue a biomedical technician certificate on nights and weekends. Graduating high school seniors can enroll at a community college and pursue a two-year associate’s degree in this field. Finally, those with two-year degrees or absolute certainty of their career paths can enroll in four-year bachelor’s degree programs and see to it that facilities are equipped with well-maintained state-of-the-art systems.
Biomedical technicians can learn much from formal training, and most programs include hands-on learning. Many biomedical equipment technology degree programs require a practicum or internship for graduation. This is a great way to learn technical skills and help students foster critical professional connections when looking for jobs. The most important thing any biomedical technician can bring to the job is a passion for maintaining and fixing machinery so healthcare facilities can provide life-saving care for their patients.
Keep reading to learn more about how to pursue an exciting career as a biomedical equipment technician, including accredited degree and certificate programs, career outlook, core courses, and licensing requirements.
Meet the Expert: Danielle C. McGeary, MSBME
Danielle McGeary became the inaugural vice president of healthcare technology management (HTM) at the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) in 2018. She champions the HTM field and its professionals’ role in safe, effective patient care while striving to boost the number of skilled HTM practitioners and elevate the field.
Holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering from the University of Connecticut, McGeary is a certified project manager and healthcare technology manager. She has authored numerous articles for AAMI’s journal BI&T and the Journal of Clinical Engineering and held leadership positions at the New England Society of Clinical Engineering for over ten years. Before AAMI, McGeary served at Aramark Healthcare Technologies as the Northeast Clinical Engineering district manager and director of clinical engineering for VA Boston and Bedford Healthcare Systems.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What advice would you give someone starting out as a biomedical equipment technician (BMET)?
McGeary: As a biomedical equipment technician, mastering hospital equipment and understanding the clinical application of these tools is essential. We bridge medical technology and patient care, translating technical and clinical jargon for effective communication. Beyond technical skills, understanding the clinical workflow and the impact of equipment downtime on patient care is critical. Clinicians value our knowledge of how equipment failures affect their operations and rely on us to provide solutions promptly. Equally important is good customer service and the ability to communicate effectively with clinical staff, which complements our technical expertise.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What’s something many people don’t know about biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs)?
McGeary: Healthcare technology management (HTM), a crucial but often overlooked field, plays a vital role in hospitals. We, as biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs), manage the entire lifecycle of medical devices, ensuring their safe and effective operation. Our responsibilities have expanded beyond repairs to include cybersecurity, and protecting patient and data safety.
Daily tasks involve periodic device checks, clinical education, and handling equipment breakdowns. We also oversee data cleansing and recycling during device decommissioning. Despite working behind the scenes, our work is diverse and dynamic. We handle everything from simple tools to advanced AI systems, requiring a broad skill set and deep understanding of clinical implications.
| Biomedical Technician fast facts | |
|---|---|
| Projected Jobs Created | 8,800 |
| Projected Job Growth | 13% |
| Average Salary | $64,140 |
| Low Salary | $36,810 |
| High Salary | $97,780 |
| Entry-Level EDU | Associate's Degree |
| Sourced from BLS 2024 | |
Biomedical Equipment Technician Degree & Certificate Programs
Most biomedical technicians begin their careers by earning an associate’s degree from an accredited biomedical technology program. These programs take approximately two years to complete and include some hands-on training and classroom-based or online coursework.
Students can seek work in the biomedical technology field after completing an associate’s degree program. Some of the programs below also feature a one-year certificate and four-year bachelor of science programs in biomedical engineering technology.
Following are a few accredited programs that provide a strong foundation for anyone seeking a career as a biomedical technician.
Vincennes University With multiple campuses in St. Louis, Missouri, the biomedical electronics technology program at St. Louis Community College (STLCC) offers a certificate of proficiency that provides students with the necessary skills to enter the field as biomedical electronics technicians (BMET). The program focuses on teaching electrical and electronic concepts related to medical electronics and devices, the basic science behind these instruments, and troubleshooting techniques. Students also benefit from workplace learning internships at local medical facilities, providing hands-on experience.
Upon completion, students are prepared to sit for the BMET certification exam of the ICC for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology. The program is flexible, offering evening classes for those who wish to continue working full time while completing their coursework. It’s also stackable – credits earned in this certificate program can be applied towards an Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology AAS degree.
- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
At Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in Cincinnati, Ohio, students can study in the school’s electrical engineering technology – biomedical equipment (BMT) program. The associate of applied science (AAS) program takes an average of six semesters to complete.
This program teaches students how to maintain and repair complex high-value equipment such as MRI, CT, sonogram, and x-ray machinery. In addition, internships at several clinical healthcare facilities are available through co-op internship sites. Graduates are prepared to find entry-level work in the field but may choose to enroll at a university to complete a bachelor’s degree with their transfer credits.
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Duration: Six semesters
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) in Valley Glen, California, offers an associate’s of science (AS) degree and a certificate in biomedical equipment technology as part of the school’s electronics program. The 34-credit certificate program features courses in biophysical measurements and introduction to electronics.
The 60-credit AS degree includes courses in technical computer applications and cooperative education. Upon graduation from the two-year program, students can seek work in the biomedical technology field or transfer to one of California’s many four-year institutions to further their studies. Students in these programs may qualify for two years of free tuition and priority registration if they qualify.
- Location: Valley Glen, CA
- Duration: One to two years
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
State Technical College of Missouri, located in Linn, Missouri, offers a certificate and an associate of applied science (AAS) degree with an option in biomedical engineering technology as part of its electronics engineering technology program. The 71- to 76-credit AAS program includes general courses in electronics and physics, while the BET option includes specialized courses in applied human anatomy and physiology, internship, and instrumentation systems lab.
The 18- to 20-credit certificate program can be completed in less than a year and includes courses in diagnostic imaging and biomedical instrumentation systems and an internship component. Since 2009, this program has boasted a 100 percent graduation rate and a 91 percent job placement rate.
- Location: Linn, MO
- Duration: One to two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Penn State New Kensington is part of the Pennsylvania State University system. It operates a New Kensington (PSNK) campus that offers a two-year biomedical engineering technology (BET) program, resulting in an associate of science degree. The PSNK training program includes classroom training and hands-on medical equipment instruction courses such as electronics, physiology, chemistry, and computer networking.
In addition, the Penn State New Kensington campus features one of only two fully-equipped student intensive care units (ICUs) in the country. It requires students to complete a 400-hour clinical internship at more than 50 approved healthcare facilities near the Pittsburgh region, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.
- Location: University Park, PA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
University of Vermont (UVM) in Burlington, Vermont, offers a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering (BME). The program is divided into three BME core areas:
- BME Core 1: biomechanics, instrumentation, and sensors
- BME Core 2: biophysics, biomaterials, and transport
- BME Core 3: approaches for modeling biological systems and analyzing biological signals
This degree was developed by UVM’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine to improve human health from a biomechanical engineering perspective.
The curriculum is vertically integrated, meaning students learn and integrate the principles covered in the core courses. Team-based projects and real-world experience are included in the UVM medical school. Undergraduate research and internships are available to deepen students’ experiences. A capstone design sequence is required for graduation and provides students with an innovative opportunity to develop and market a biomedical technology.
- Location: Burlington, VT
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
List of Biomedical Technician Schools
| School | City | State | Website | GRADS ('21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jacinto Community College | Pasadena | Texas | https://www.sanjac.edu | 102 |
| San Diego Miramar College | San Diego | California | https://sdmiramar.edu | 100 |
| Texas State Technical College | Waco | Texas | https://www.tstc.edu | 82 |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Illinois | https://jjc.edu | 81 |
| Southern California Institute of Technology | Anaheim | California | https://www.scitech.edu | 50 |
| City College of San Francisco | San Francisco | California | https://www.ccsf.edu | 48 |
| Solano Community College | Fairfield | California | https://welcome.solano.edu | 45 |
| MiraCosta College | Oceanside | California | https://www.miracosta.edu | 37 |
| American River College | Sacramento | California | https://arc.losrios.edu | 34 |
| Pasadena City College | Pasadena | California | https://pasadena.edu | 32 |
Hybrid & Online Biomedical Equipment Technician Programs
Many students looking to study biomedical technology may already be working in healthcare or another related field, making it difficult to attend traditional classes offered during working hours.
Luckily, many institutions now offer online options for some of their biomedical technician courses. However, keep in mind that most biomedical technology programs require some type of hands-on training or practicum experience in addition to fully online or hybrid-based courses.
Collin College in McKinney, Texas, offers a 60-credit applied associate of science (AAS) degree in biomedical equipment technology. Students can complete courses in this program in on-campus, hybrid, or virtual learning formats.
Students in this program learn how to install, repair, and maintain equipment in hospitals and medical facilities. Graduates from this program leave with marketable skills in troubleshooting, identifying necessary tools, communicating effectively, and working ethically, responsibly, and conscientiously.
- Location: McKinney, TX
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IU-PUI) in Indianapolis, Indiana, offers both a two-year associate of science (AS) healthcare engineering technology management degree and a four-year bachelor of science (BS) degree program. The 67-credit AS program emphasizes fundamentals and maintenance of state-of-the-art healthcare technology and teaches hands-on skills through an internship course.
The 119-credit BS program in biomedical engineering is one of the few ABET-accredited online programs offered. This is ideal for those who want the broadest opportunities upon graduation or plan to continue their formal education past the undergraduate level. Many junior- and senior-level courses are offered virtually, allowing students to take didactic courses in environments that work well for their schedules.
Graduates earn degrees from Purdue University and are prepared with technical and management skills to be influential leaders of healthcare technical teams. IU-PUI also offers a fully online certificate in medical device cybersecurity, which requires no campus visits, and a master’s of science in engineering technology.
- Location: Indianapolis, IN
- Duration: 15 weeks (certificate program); two to four years (degree programs)
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio, offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in biomedical electronics. The 64- to 65-credit degree is offered entirely at the school’s Toledo, Ohio campus or as a hybrid program that features online coursework and Toledo-based classroom experiences.
The program includes courses such as circuit analysis and mathematics for technology. Graduates from this program are prepared to repair, calibrate, and evaluate the performance of electro-mechanical equipment.
- Location: Toledo, OH
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)
Texas State Technical College offers a biomedical equipment technology associate degree from Texas State Technical College at the Harlingen and Waco campuses. The associate degree program requires 60 credits and can be completed in 20 months. The final semester of the program includes a hands-on internship experience to ready students for the workforce. Courses are offered at both campuses via in-person and in hybrid formats.
- Location: Waco TX
- Duration: 20 months
- Accreditation: Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
| School | City | State | Website | GRADS ('21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville | Florida | https://www.sfcollege.edu | 5 |
| DeVry College of New York | New York | New York | https://www.devry.edu | 4 |
| DeVry University-Illinois | Naperville | Illinois | https://www.devry.edu | 3 |
| College of San Mateo | San Mateo | California | https://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu | 2 |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington | Iowa | https://www.scciowa.edu | 2 |
| DeVry University-California | Ontario | California | https://www.devry.edu | 1 |
| DeVry University-Florida | Miramar | Florida | https://www.devry.edu | 1 |
Biomedical Technician Core & Elective Courses
Though biomedical technician schools can have somewhat varied programs, there are similarities in core and elective courses. These courses fall into the main categories of biomedical technology-specific courses, mathematics, general science courses, and electives.
The courses that focus on biomedical technology and equipment include titles like:
- Biomedical instrumentation
- Circuit analysis
- Diagnostic imaging systems
- Healthcare tech diagnosis and repair
- Introduction to circuit analysis
- Medical circuits
- Networking and data communication in healthcare
- Physiological instruments
- Semiconductor devices and analog circuits
- Shop skills for biomedical equipment
- Solid-state devices
Students should keep in mind that although the titles of courses are different from school to school, the general biomedical equipment topics covered are the same.
In more general courses, many students will take algebra, physics, and chemistry. In addition, students may select non-technical courses from the humanities or the arts course catalogs in programs that allow electives. However, these electives are more common in the two to four-year training programs and are not likely to be found in the shorter certificate programs available.
Biomedical Technology Program Accreditation
There are two accrediting bodies for biomedical technology programs in the United States: The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
The ATMAE offers accreditation in various technology-based programs, from biomedical technician programs to architectural science programs to web analyst degrees. For a complete listing of ATMAE accreditation offerings, visit their ATMAE directory of accredited programs. The organization also offers accreditation beginning at the associate of applied science and extending through master of science (MS) programs.
ATMAE accreditation includes an application from the program and a thorough on-site visit consisting of a team of at least three experts who evaluate the school for its curriculum, facilities, faculty, and more. In addition, the ATMAE accreditation is currently using its 2021 Accreditation Handbook to assess all new applicant schools.
ABET offers accreditation to many different types of engineering programs. The ABET accreditation process includes a self-study completed by program administrators and an on-site visit to determine eligibility. With ABET, the process takes approximately 18 months to complete. A full explanation of that process is available on the ABET site.
Interested students should also keep in mind that schools can seek overall institutional accreditation in addition to the program-specific accreditation provided by bodies such as the ATMAE and ABET. Institutional accreditation considers many facets of the school and generally comes from an organization that the US Department of Education recognizes.
Some such accrediting bodies are the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). To ensure educational quality, prospective students are encouraged to confirm a school’s accreditation status before enrolling.
Career Outlook
From 2022 to 2032, job openings for medical equipment repairers are expected to grow 13 percent, which is more than four times the national average for all occupations during that time period, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023).
In addition, advancements in medical technology will continue to lead to more advanced medical equipment that will need regular service and maintenance from trained biomedical technicians. However, those with more education and experience will have a better time competing for jobs.
Consumers and physicians will continue to stress the need for non-invasive procedures and sophisticated diagnostics, which necessitate more complex machinery and the people to repair those machines. The BLS estimates that 8,800 new positions will be needed in the coming decade (BLS 2023).
The BLS (May 2023) shows the following salary profiles for medical equipment repairers:
- 10th percentile: $36,810
- 25th percentile: $45,180
- 50th percentile (median): $60,670
- 75th percentile: $78,160
- 90th percentile: $97,780
| Career Facts | Biomedical Technician |
|---|---|
| Related Careers | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician |
| Common Job Titles | Biomedical Technician, Biomedical Technician (Biomed Tech), Biomedical Electronics Technician, Biomedical Engineering Technician (BMET), Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET), Dental Equipment Technician, X-Ray Service Engineer |
| Technology & Equipment | Pressure Indicators, Ventilator Accessories, Voltage or Current Meters, Office and Productivity Software |
| Sourced from BLS 2023 | |
Biomedical Technician Licensing & Certification
There is no standard licensing or certification procedure for biomedical technicians. Instead, like many medical technologist careers, those who wish to improve their career options by obtaining an officially recognized biomedical technician certification may do so.
The most common certification for biomedical technicians in the US is the Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) credential awarded by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
According to the AAMI, this certification shows that a BMET is “expected to have experience in a wide range of electromechanical devices, computers, networks, and software used in the delivery of healthcare.”
Although there is no requirement that any biomedical technician obtains this certification, certified technicians may find more and better-paying career opportunities available to them. Further, those biomedical technicians who are currently working and wish to improve their position in the workplace may want to pursue certification.
Indeed, to apply for certification, there is a work experience prerequisite, with a minimum of two years of full-time BMET work in addition to an associate’s degree from a biomedical academic program or four years of full-time work as a BMET. Information about other avenues for certification is available on the Certification FAQ page of the AAMI website.
Biomedical equipment technicians who wish to be certified but do not yet qualify may become certified candidates, demonstrating a professional commitment to employers when seeking career and advancement opportunities.
