What is a Biomedical Technician?
Job Description of a Biomedical Technician
The duties, as well as the responsibilities and tasks for a biomedical technician, will vary a lot from the position that he or she fulfills. In general lines, their work involves designing and developing new medical devices such as artificial kidneys and hearts, surgical lasers, pacemakers and other more. Their part also extent in research where they test the old theories, and they modify them where is the case as well as they will create new theories.
A biomedical technician will make sure that the equipment that is used for treatment, diagnosis and monitoring is functioning in a safety manner. They will also design and develop various therapies such as neural-integrative prostheses, adapt computer software and hardware for health-care applications or medical science, contribute to patient’s assessments as well as train technicians and technologists.
Their work can be performed in one or a combination of fields such as bio-instrumentation where they apply measurements techniques and other techniques. The job also deals with bioinformatics where their role is to develop and use computer tools in order to collect data and analyze it. Biomedical technicians also deal with bio-mechanics in which they will apply the necessary knowledge of mechanics to the biological and medical problems and in many more other fields.
A biomedical technician is defined also by the personal features that this job possesses. These professionals need to have some very good set skills such as good written and oral communication, aptitude for science and math, listening as well as having an analytical thinking in order to solve various problems, as well as creativity and persistence, a strong interest in engineering and medicine.
A biomedical technician has to possess that ability to work in an effective manner with people that are part of different and various educational backgrounds as well as with people from various disciplines. Another ability that is required in this field is the ability to visualize complex equipment as well as processes.
How to Become a Biomedical Technician?
In order to find out whether this career suits you or not make sure that you research about the educational requirements for biomedical technicians, the job tasks as well as the average salaries and nonetheless the job outlook. As a Biomedical Technician will assume using all your knowledge and skills of math, biology, medicine, science that will help, you design proper products and deliver helpful services for the healthcare industry.
You might be required to design various types of medical equipment, software such as medical information systems as well as devices. For instance, you can design pacemakers, surgical lasers, dialysis machines as well as artificial hearts. In order to develop these products, you will spend the majority of your time to conduct research alongside other scientists.
In this career, you might be asked to recommend products to hospital management as well as new equipment that has a medical orientation. Similarly to many other careers, it all begins from high school. Make sure that you’ll have gained preparation and knowledge in advanced courses that are based on subjects such as calculus, computer programming, chemistry and life science.
Other classes such as English or physics will allow you to be prepared better for the engineering school that lies ahead. Another barrier that must be beaten is the communication skills that will prove itself very useful since your work will involve working with other people. These skills are mainly developed based on completing speech courses.
Experience in the field of engineering or medical field is one of the bonuses that usually apply in this career a lot that helps you build a reputation as well as will lead you to a higher income. You can start gaining this experience by attending engineering camps in the summer, and even talking with professionals will help you form an opinion about how is to find a job in this certain field.
When you qualify for a license or certification, it is advisable that you first have a degree. It is also recommended that you followed the classes of a school that has accreditation from the ABET else known as the Accreditation Board for engineering and Technology. A career as a biomedical technician will definitely assume a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biomedical engineering .
It is very important when you choose a training program that it will match your career goals since all of them might have different focuses such as a focus based on the industrial careers. The degrees that count in this field can be a Bachelor’s of Science in engineering degree with a specialization in Biomedical engineering or a Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical engineering degree. Before you enroll in the suitable engineering programs, you will have first to go through the courses of a pre-engineering program.
Such professionals also have the possibility to register for volunteer work within the field as you are pursuing your degree. This opportunity is usually allowed by the BMES else known as the Biomedical engineering Society. Working as a volunteer will allow you to develop experience, network as well as have new ideas. Through the BMES, you also have the opportunity to follow an internship that will bring you closer to the job through a developed experience, also by extending your knowledge and building your skills.
Another tip that will take you further is the license requirements and the educational path that must be followed. For instance, in order to become a Biomedical Technician, who actually can offer his or her services to the public you need first to be a licensed professional technician. You must pass the FE exam else known as the Fundamentals of engineering before you pass the actual exam that will allow you to be a licensed technician.
The exam requirements involve possessing a degree from an ABET program that was accredited. After you’ve successfully passed the exam, you’ll be required to work for a minimum period of time of 4 years in the field in order to gain the necessary experience. After fulfilling these two requirements, you have to obtain a good score on the PE exam known as the Principles and Practice of the engineering . This will allow you to become a licensed professional technician.
All the PE exams are offered in various specialties, and they usually evaluate and test your competency in the area of engineering . You may choose the PE exam that you want to take since there is no PE exam specific dedicated for biomedical technicians.
Work Environment and Schedule
As a biomedical technician, you can find work in a variety of settings in the medical field and not only. There are plenty of biomedical technicians that used their degrees to enter in the field of medical research or manufacturing development.
The settings in which a biomedical technician can be found working include surgical hospitals, offices, laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and scientific research. They might also work in government regulatory agencies, supplies manufacturing, and general medical, as well as medical equipment. Most of these professionals can be found working in the medical and research setting while a small number of Biomedical Technicians can be seen working in settings such as colleges or universities.
Many of the biomedical technicians are fulfilling the standard working hours. However, there are some cases when due to the required research deadlines or due to the availability of their patients it can involve extended hours of work.
Pros and Cons of Being a Biomedical Technician
When you are searching for a good career and a job that suits you the most the best tip to go by is to see how attractive that job can be to you. Equally important is to check whether the job suits the skills that you possess. When you check for a job in any field, make sure that you take a look at the salary, the job prospects and opportunities that can be found in this field as well as the educational requirements.
If there is something that will support you is a list of pros and cons that will show you a clear estimation of how this job is quoted in the economy. Right from the start when it comes to a career as a biomedical technician you should know that the average growth in this job is above the usual average. Another good thing is linked to the salaries that based on many surveys are estimated to be above the average. For instance, the median annual salary reaches about $87,010 per year less or more according to each state.
There are careers that will focus and will allow only a few or one working site, in this profession you have the possibility to choose from various settings such as hospitals and universities as well as research facilities. There are also various jobs that are to be found in various industries such as medical, educational or even in the manufacturing industry.
You have the opportunity to choose among specialization one that suits you the most from bioinstrumentation, biomaterials and even the specialization of biomechanics. However like in any other jobs you’ll find strong points as well as weak points. One of the cons is the fact that there might be necessary additional hour of work.
Another con in the case you want to advance in this field is related to the requirement of having a graduate degree. There are also some hazardous factors that might quickly affect your health if you are not careful to take all the caution measures and respect procedures. Those factors will involve a constant exposure to communicable diseases and to a high level of radiations as well as the fact that in this field you are often exposed to noxious fumes.
Biomedical Technician Salary
A biomedical technician salary in the US has an estimation that reaches around $45,004 per year. Also, the years of experience can lead one of these professionals to earnings that can reach up to $102,294 per year. When it comes to the hourly wages the minimum percentage that can be reached is estimated at $15.24 per hour while the maxim hourly wage can reach up to $48.62 per hour. The median salary in this field is estimated at around $72,310 per year this excluding the benefits that are usually granted and that can reach at a maximum point of $4,862 per year.
The salary for an entry level biomedical technician is estimated around $42,005 per year. In the US, the average income reaches about $63,010 per year. When it comes to the granted average bonus, those professionals who have less than one year of practice in the field can expect to take $12.04 per hour. The perks that are received by a biomedical technician for up to 4 years of experience will reach at $2,041.
You can earn double the amount if you have ten years of experience in the field. In that case, the perks can reach up to $4,862 while if you are working for more than 20 years, we have another figure. You can expect to earn an annual bonus that reaches up to $2,505 per year in the 20-years case.
The biggest biomedical technician salary can be found in New York, where the median salary for these professionals is estimated to be around $89,010 per year. In California, the annual payment reaches at an earning estimated to be around $83,010 per year while in Washington DC one individual can expect at an income estimated at $87,010 per year. In New Jersey, the annual income has an average that is estimated at $80,010 per year.
A biomedical technician salary also various according to the educational background such as having a certification or a degree. For instance, a biomedical technician that already possess a bachelor’s degree can expect to earn an income estimated at $53,472 per year. At the same time, one, who has a master’s degree will take home a salary of about $77,521 per year.
The more you advance in the education levels, the more your salary increases. For instance, if you are a biomedical technician and you have a Ph.D. your salary can reach up to $90,257 per year. The hourly wage in this field is also different, according to each state. In California where more biomedical technicians are hired the average hourly wage is estimated around $42.86 per hour while in Massachusetts the hourly wage is estimated around $46.18 per hour.
There are many biomedical technicians hired in the state of Pennsylvania, but the payment here is quite low compared with other states. The higher pay in certain states means an hourly wage that reaches only up to $40.02 per hour. Still, Pennsylvania hourly payments are not as low as in Oklahoma where the average hourly wage reaches only at $30.49 per hour.
Salary of a Biomedical Technician in 2016
The salary for a Biomedical Technician in 2016 is influenced by several factors that include the costs of living, the location as well as the education and the number of demands. There are several very well paid states such as Minnesota that brings an active earning that reaches about $96,932 per year. Arizona comes with an income that reaches at $92,251 per year, and other states pay well too.
Biomedical Technician Salary in Canada, Australia and the UK
In Canada, the biomedical tech salary has an average that reaches ta about C$83,010 per year. The hourly rate in Canada has an average that is estimated at C$22.57 per hour. The income for a biomedical technician also comes with benefits such as life insurances, paid travels, and vacation leaves as well as retirement plans.
In Australia, the salary for these professionals will vary. For instance, an entry-level biomedical technician can expect to take home an income that is estimated at AU$40,010 per year. Also, for a veteran in this field with many years of experience can expect to an income that will not exceed more than AU$100,010 per year. The average salary that is received in this field and is given only to 25% of the industry reaches at $63,010 per year.
In the United Kingdom, a biomedical technician is estimated between £36,522 per year and up to £59,563 per year. The average salary for these professionals has an annual rate that is around £41,512 per year. The salary is mainly influenced by several factors such as the geographical location, the certification that one individual possess as well by the years of experience.
For an entry-level biomedical technician that is working in a public healthcare unit, the salary in the UK is estimated to be comprised between £36,010 per year and up to £46,010 per year. Those professionals who have years of working experience can expect to higher salaries in this field.
Conclusion on Biomedical Technician Salary
Due to the number of increased demanding and to several important factors including the educational background, a biomedical technician can expect in the US to an estimated average salary comprised between $45,004 and up to $102,292 per year.
In Canada, less than 16% of the biomedical technicians will take home an average income around C$52,287 per year. At the same time, more than 89% of these professionals will earn an annual income that reaches at about 89,252 per year. In the UK, the salaries in this field are comprised between £36,523 per year and up to £59,563 per year. Also, in Australia the salaries for biomedical technicians will range from AU$63,010 per year and up to earnings that are less than AU$100,010 per year.