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Medical Equipment Repairer

Overview and Key Facts

technician repairing medical operatoring microscipe
Education
Education
Associate's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$62,630
Job Growth
Job Growth
12.90%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
76,800

What Do They Do?

A medical equipment repairer could...

 
the doctor is giving a defibrillator to save patients life
Perform maintenance and repairs on life saving equipment.
repairer working on CT scanner
Think "outside the box" to determine how damaged medical equipment can be refurbished and used again.
patient entering MRI machine scan
Run tests and perform calibrations on equipment to make sure each piece of equipment is functioning at its best.
tighten bolts on oxygen machine
Use a variety of tools to repair and maintain each piece of equipment.
 
the doctor is giving a defibrillator to save patients life repairer working on CT scanner patient entering MRI machine scan tighten bolts on oxygen machine

Overview Listen to this section

A medical equipment repairer, or medical equipment technician, has an essential role in the fields of healthcare and engineering. From X-ray machines to electric wheelchairs, the medical equipment repairer can fix a wide array of machinery used in hospitals and clinics. They have detailed knowledge of how machines and instruments are to be maintained, how they function, and how to repair them. Broken medical equipment costs hospitals and providers time, money, and may pose safety risks for patients. Repairing medical equipment quickly can save resources and even lives. Computer-based machines and technical equipment are being developed and continuously updated, keeping the job of medical equipment repairer in demand.

Learn about different tasks and requirements of a medical equipment repairer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOXooel-J7E
Learn the steps to become a medical equipment technician in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYDsYrbT_yg

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Medical Equipment Repairer?


  1. Getting Information: ?
  2. Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: ?
  3. Making Decisions and Solving Problems: ?
  4. Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: ?
  5. Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Medical Equipment Repairer might do:
  • Test or calibrate components or equipment, following manufacturers' manuals and troubleshooting techniques, using hand tools, power tools, or measuring devices.
  • Inspect, test, or troubleshoot malfunctioning medical or related equipment, following manufacturers' specifications and using test and analysis instruments.
  • Perform preventive maintenance or service, such as cleaning, lubricating, or adjusting equipment.
  • Keep records of maintenance, repair, and required updates of equipment.
  • Disassemble malfunctioning equipment and remove, repair, or replace defective parts, such as motors, clutches, or transformers.
  • Examine medical equipment or facility's structural environment and check for proper use of equipment to protect patients and staff from electrical or mechanical hazards and to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
  • Install medical equipment.
  • Test, evaluate, and classify excess or in-use medical equipment and determine serviceability, condition, and disposition, in accordance with regulations.
  • Plan and carry out work assignments, using blueprints, schematic drawings, technical manuals, wiring diagrams, or liquid or air flow sheets, following prescribed regulations, directives, or other instructions as required.
  • Study technical manuals or attend training sessions provided by equipment manufacturers to maintain current knowledge.
  • Explain or demonstrate correct operation or preventive maintenance of medical equipment to personnel.
  • Research catalogs or repair part lists to locate sources for repair parts, requisitioning parts and recording their receipt.
  • Repair shop equipment, metal furniture, or hospital equipment, including welding broken parts or replacing missing parts, or bring item into local shop for major repairs.
  • Solder loose connections, using soldering iron.
  • Compute power and space requirements for installing medical, dental, or related equipment and install units to manufacturers' specifications.
  • Evaluate technical specifications to identify equipment or systems best suited for intended use and possible purchase, based on specifications, user needs, or technical requirements.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Medical Equipment Repairer Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Medical Equipment Repairer jobs (12.90%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Medical Equipment Repairer

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

In addition to their formal education, medical equipment repairers receive on-the-job training. New workers may observe and help experienced repairers for the first 3 to 6 months. During this time, the new repairer gradually begins to work more independently while still under supervision.

Each piece of medical equipment must be learned separately and in some cases require that the repairer studies the machine's technical functions and operating manual. Technical training may also be provided by medical device manufacturers.

Medical equipment technology is quickly evolving, with new devices introduced regularly. Continuous education on new technologies and equipment is a must for new and experienced repairers.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Associate's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

To become a medical equipment repairer, an associate's degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering is preferred. On-the-job training is sometimes available for less-complicated equipment, such as hospital beds and electric wheelchairs. Repairers who work on more specialized equipment, like CAT scanners, may need a bachelor's degree.

In the associate's degree program, the student learns foundations for mathematics, computer technology, and information sciences. Additionally, the student learns how different types of equipment work, how to install them, different ways to maintain them, and techniques for repair.

Specialty certifications are available for medical equipment repairers as well. While they are not required, having a certification shows career commitment and professionalism. Equipment manufacturers and employers, particularly hospitals, often pay for their medical repairers to become certified.

Companies That Hire Medical Equipment Repairers

  • GE Healthcare
  • U.S. Army
  • U.S. Air Force
  • TRIMEDX
  • American Red Cross

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Follow the schedule of a medical equipment repairman in A Day in the Life of a Medical Device Technician to see what an average day's work looks.
Your service engineers are the face of the company and the trusted adviser to your customers. Understanding what they experience, and the challenges that occur in the day to day of their jobs is paramount to improving all the core service metrics... 
Daniel Brabec, Field Service Digital
Watch this video with Andrew Rich, as he describes the role of a biomedical technologist and the importance of the repair technician.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4zTZNnp30

Nature of the Work

Medical equipment repairers, also known as biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs), use their knowledge of engineering and technology to solve problems that could ultimately help save lives. Medical equipment repairers are highly skilled in areas of mechanics, programming, and creative problem solving and often work in patient care areas. If a machine is malfunctioning, repairers first diagnose the problem. Then they modify the software or make adjustments to the mechanical, electronic, or hydraulic parts in order to fix the issue. Medical equipment repairers use a variety of tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and soldering irons or electronic tools and computers.

A medical equipment repairer often begins the day prioritizing repairs and tasks from most emergent to least. For higher priority cases, the repairer may need to service a life support machine such as an infant incubator or a defibrillator. The medical equipment repairer makes sure that diagnostic machines, like blood pressure monitors and ultrasound equipment, are in top working order so that nurses and doctors can interpret the data and make an accurate plan of care for the patient. Other jobs include installing new equipment, running maintenance checks and checking for firmware and software updates.

The medical equipment repairer may travel for each job or work all repair jobs on-site.

Work Environment

Repairers often work in patient-care environments, which may expose them to germs and other health risks. Although medical equipment repairers usually work during the day, they are sometimes expected to be on-call, including evenings and weekends for emergency repair of equipment. Some medical equipment repairers may need to travel to perform needed repairs.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Additional Resources

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