How To Become a Medical Equipment Service Technician
Medical equipment service or repair technicians are crucial in clinics, hospitals, care homes, both inpatient and outpatient. They are responsible for handling medical equipment maintenance on operating room equipment, beds, equipment for imaging, sterilization equipment, and much more.
The medical equipment service technicians contribute to the patient outcomes in and around medical facilities and healthcare centers. Their role in ensuring the proper functioning of life-saving medical equipment cannot be undermined. Any mistake from the maintenance of such life-saving equipment can lead to the death of patients or cause catastrophe within the hospital.
Responsibilities Of a Medical Equipment Service Technician
Below, we list some of the responsibilities of a medical equipment service technician.
They handle maintenance for surgical equipment, such as lights, Microscopes, tables, chairs, and other surgical instruments.
They also maintain complicated X-rays such as C-Arm, Fluoroscopy and MRI machines.
Infant and maternity equipment can also fall under their scope of work, such as: warmers, fetal monitors, pediatric examination tables, incubators, etc.
Anesthesia machines need calibrated by biomedical technicians.
They are also responsible for patient monitoring equipment, such as Pulse Oximeters, Vital signs monitors, Clinical Information Centers, Anesthetic gas lines, etc.
Both Therapy and Imaging Ultrasound machines are something they handle.
They are also responsible for handling and maintaining endoscopy equipment like video processors, light sources, colonoscopes, insufflators, electrosurgical units, and much more.
The Requirement To Become a Medical Equipment Service Technician
The requirement for becoming a certified medical equipment service technician includes either an Associate degree or, in some cases, a bachelor's degree with a focus on Biomedical technology or biomedical engineering. In certain specialized cases, the bachelor’s degree becomes preferred. The major skills for this position including good troubleshooting skills, mechanical skills, excellent time management, agility, safety testing, and in-depth knowledge of hand tools and multimeters. This is not to scare you from pursuing this as a career, a lot of what a biomedical technician needs to know can be learned on the job.
How to get started as a Medical Equipment Service Technician
A 2-year associate degree in biomedical engineering technology can be a great start for any student looking to enter as a medical equipment service technician. The course will prepare you for equipment operation, equipment functioning, installations, maintenance, and repairs.
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree for a four years course in biomedical engineering technology is great since you have the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of complex medical operations, maintenance techniques, and other A-grade things.
Once you’ve opted in for a course, you can participate in an internship and gather experience from there.
You must put two other important things in mind when pursuing a career path for medical equipment service technicians. First, you need to gain working experience by seeking an entry-level position with either a hospital, clinic, medical service supplier, or related organizations.
The next thing you need to consider is to get certified. ICC makes three types of certification available for medical equipment service technician:
CBET or Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician
CRES or Certified Radiology Equipment Specialists
CLEB or Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialists
Any of these certifications can be earned depending on your area of expertise. This position requires at least an associate degree with about two years of working experience. There are more chances to get career advancement through an exam.
Opportunities at Medicanix Medical Equipment Repair
With Medicanix, you stand a chance of working with great minds. The medical equipment repair technician offered by Medicanix is focused on providing a concrete foundation in both biomedical sciences and electronics engineering to position students to work in the field.
Joining Medicanix opens different opportunities for you to gain the needed in-depth experience to take you to the next level in your career.