Medical equipment repairers, also known as biomedical equipment technicians (BMET), maintain, adjust, calibrate, and repair a wide variety of electronic, electromechanical, and hydraulic equipment used in hospitals and other medical environments, including health practitioners’ offices. They may work on patient monitors, defibrillators, medical imaging equipment (x rays, CAT scanners, and ultrasound equipment), voice-controlled operating tables, electric wheelchairs, as well as other sophisticated dental, optometric, and ophthalmic equipment.
Medical equipment repairers use a wide variety of tools to conduct their work, including multimeters, specialized software, and computers designed to communicate with specific pieces of hardware. They may also use hand tools, soldering irons, and other electronic tools to fix or adjust malfunctioning equipment, such as a broken wheelchair. If a machine is not functioning to its potential, the repairer may have to adjust the mechanical or hydraulic components, or adjust the software to bring the equipment back into calibration. Most medical equipment is powered by electricity, but because many also have mechanical and hydraulic components, being familiar with all of these systems is critical.
In some cases, medical equipment repairers perform routine scheduled maintenance to ensure that all equipment is in good working order. Since many doctors, particularly specialty practitioners, regularly use complex medical devices to run tests and diagnose patients, they must be guaranteed that the readings are accurate. For less complicated equipment, such as electric hospital beds, many repairs may take place on an as-needed-basis.
In a hospital setting, specialists must be comfortable working around patients because repairs occasionally must take place while equipment is being used. When this is the case, the repairer must take great care to ensure that repairs do not disturb patients.
Many medical equipment repairers are employed in hospitals. Some, however, work for electronic equipment repair and maintenance companies that service medical equipment used by other health practitioners, including gynecologists, orthodontists, veterinarians, and other diagnostic medical professionals. Whereas some medical equipment repairers are trained to fix a wide variety of equipment, others specialize and become proficient at repairing one or a small number of machines.
Work Environment
Medical equipment repairers held about 54,900 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of medical equipment repairers were as follows:
- Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers - 29%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private - 14%
- Ambulatory healthcare services - 9%
- Rental and leasing services - 7%
- Health and personal care stores - 5%
Medical equipment repairers who work as contractors often have to travel—sometimes long distances—to perform needed repairs. Repairers often must work in a patient-caring environment, which has the potential to expose them to germs, diseases and other health risks.
Because repairing vital medical equipment is urgent, the work can be stressful. In addition, installing and repairing medical equipment often involves lifting and carrying heavy objects as well as working in tight spaces.
Work Schedules
Although medical equipment repairers usually work during the day, they are sometimes expected to be on call, including evenings and weekends. Most medical equipment repairers work full time, but some repairers have variable schedules.
Education & Training Required
Although education requirements vary depending on a worker’s experience and area of specialization, the most common education path for repairers is an associate degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering. Those who repair less complicated equipment, such as hospital beds or electric wheelchairs, may learn entirely through on-the-job training. Others, particularly those who work on more sophisticated equipment such as CAT scanners and defibrillators, may need a bachelor's degree. New workers generally start by observing and assisting experienced repairers over a period of 3 to 6 months, learning a single piece of equipment at a time. Gradually, they begin working more independently, while still under close supervision. Each piece of equipment is different, and medical equipment repairers must learn each one separately. In some cases, this requires careful study of a machine’s technical specifications and manual. Medical device manufacturers also may provide training courses in a classroom or online.
Because medical equipment technology is rapidly evolving and new devices are frequently introduced, repairers must constantly update their skills and knowledge of equipment. As a result, they must constantly learn new technologies and equipment through seminars, self-study, and certification exams.
Other Skills Required
Medical equipment repairers are problem solvers—diagnosing and repairing equipment, often under time constraints—therefore, being able to work under pressure is critical. As in most repair occupations, having mechanical and technical aptitude, as well as manual dexterity, is important.
Some associations offer certifications for medical equipment repairers. For example, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) offers certification in three specialty areas—Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Radiology Equipment Specialists (CRES), and Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLEB). Those who wish to become certified must satisfy a combination of education and experience requirements prior to taking the AAMI examination. Candidates who meet the necessary criteria can begin pursuing the desired certification on the basis of their qualifications. Certification demonstrates a level of competency and can make an applicant more attractive to employers, as well as increase one's opportunities for advancement. Most employers, particularly hospitals, often pay for their in-house medical repairers to become certified.
How to Advance
Most medical equipment repairers advance by demonstrating competency at lower levels, which allows them to repair more complex equipment. Some may become supervisors or managers, but these positions usually require a bachelor's degree. Experienced repairers also may serve as mentors for new employees or teach training courses on specific products.
Job Outlook
Employment of medical equipment repairers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 6,300 openings for medical equipment repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
These repairers will be needed to repair medical equipment in healthcare settings.
A significant factor in the greater demand for healthcare services is the aging population. As people age, they usually need more medical care. With the expected increase in the number of older adults and with people living longer, health professionals are prescribing more medical tests that use new, complex equipment. In addition, some medical facilities are increasingly purchasing refurbished medical equipment in order to save money. Medical equipment repairers will be needed to provide routine service to ensure the machines work properly.
Earnings
The median annual wage for medical equipment repairers was $49,910 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81,850.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for medical equipment repairers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Hospitals; state, local, and private - $62,390
- Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers - $50,520
- Ambulatory healthcare services - $48,860
- Health and personal care stores - $37,650
- Rental and leasing services - $37,280
Although medical equipment repairers usually work during the day, they are sometimes expected to be on call, including evenings and weekends. Most work full time, but some repairers have variable schedules.
