Interested in becoming a BMET (Biomedical Equipment
Technician)?
Biomedical Equipment Technicians
(BMET) are responsible for the performance and maintenance of a
hospital's patient care equipment. Their duties include: maintenance
(returning equipment to operational status), preventative maintenance
(periodically insuring each of the hospitals thousands of devices
are functioning properly), and assisting with the procurement of
new devices and contracts, training users in the operation and
care of equipment and evaluating failures. With such a variety
of equipment and tasks there are opportunities for advancement
and diversity while knowing that you are a significant member of
the health care delivery team. Click here to learn about the
variety of equipment employed in a typical hospital.
Learn more about being a
BMET by visiting the Frequently Asked Question page, just click
on the FAQ button
above. View a presentation by Paul Kelley,
Washington Hospital's Biomedical Engineering Department Manager
and former CMIA Chair Person, by clicking here.
His presentation as a pdf file may be viewed by clicking here.
California’s
BMETs arrive at their professions through a number of educational paths
including.
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A two year associates or four year bachelor’s
degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology, Biomedical Engineering
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A two year associates or four year bachelor’s degree in Electronics
or Computer Science plus on-the-job training.
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Military service by completing courses at the Sheppard Air Force Base’s
Department of Defense Medical
Equipment School .
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An extensive period of on-the-job training and attending manufacturer’s
maintenance classes. Today this path is rare and is usually through transfer
from another position within the organization. |
In California, Los
Angeles Valley College (LAVC) offers
curriculums leading to a certificate or associate degree in Biomedical Equipment
Technology and San Jose
City College (SJCC) recently began a certificate
program. The most direct way of pursuing a BMET career, LAVC offers courses
in electronics, computer science, and biomedical measurement
plus cooperative education (co-op) or internship program to expose students
to the realities of current hospital equipment and environment. To learn
more about these programs click on the school's buttons above. A resource
for other states' programs is the
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
The CMIA can help fund your education with a Frank
Yip Scholarship. This year two $1,000 scholarships were awarded. Click
here to learn more about how you can win one of next year's scholarship(s).
California university programs in Bio Engineering and Biomedical Engineering
are not discussed for their emphasis is on design, development, research
or preparation for those interested in graduate school.
If you are interested in pursuing a BMET career you are encouraged to
visit your local hospital’s Biomedical Engineering department and
speak with its management and BMETs, and contact LAVC, SJCC
or your local armed forces recruiter about their educational programs
and opportunities.
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