Everything You Wanted To Know About A Career As A BMET But Were Afraid To Ask

Posted on: 17 December 2019

Careers in the medical field are expected to grow at 14 percent above average through 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not everyone wants to be a nurse or a doctor, however. Luckily, there are several little know career tracks in healthcare that have nothing to do with patients, blood, or needles, including becoming a biomedical technician. 

What is a Biomedical Technician?

A biomedical technician, or BMET, is the person on the medical team that ensures all the medical equipment in a hospital or clinic is running properly. They are often on the front lines of patient safety. 

What Does a BMET Do?

In a hospital setting, a BMET repairs broken equipment, orders replacement parts, and performs preventative maintenance on medical equipment. They also work as field service technicians for third-party vendors, driving from location to location to repair just one brand of machinery. 

BMETs can also take a different route and work in the prosthetic field, fabricating, repairing, and maintaining prosthetic devices. 

What Type of Training or Degree Do You Need to Be a BMET?

Anyone can be a BMET, but the field is particularly appealing to those with mechanical skills. While there are a few certificate programs across the United States, most programs are a two-year, Associate's degree program. You could also continue your education and receive a four-year degree, focusing the rest of your studies in business management, if you have an end goal of running a biomedical department one day.

How Do I Find an Accredited Biomedical College?

Like many allied health fields, biomedical techs have an accrediting organization. AAMI, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, has a state-by-state list of all the accredited biomedical colleges and training schools on their website here. 

While on-the-job training options are limited in the industry, several branches of the military do have in-house training programs that can prepare you for work in the field as well. Many healthcare facilities may still require a traditional educational path, however. 

Can I Take Online Biomedical Training Classes?

Depending on your choice of biomedical college, you may be able to take some of your biomedical training classes online. It is a very hands-on degree program, however, and most instructors will prefer for you to be on campus to experience everything in person. That said, your prerequisites and general education classes (math, literature, etc.) can always be taken online and transferred. 

Becoming a BMET is a rewarding career for anyone who ever wanted to work in the healthcare field, but didn't want to take a traditional path. 

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