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Medical Equip Repairers Job Overview

Medical equipment repairers are also known as biomedical equipment technicians. Their main job responsibility is to maintain, calibrate, adjust, and repair electronic, electromechanical, and hydraulic equipments which are used in hospitals and other medical organizations. The medical equipment repairers make use of several tools including multimeter's, specialized software, and computers, which are designed for definite pieces of hardware.

Medical Equip Repairers Schools and Degrees

Most employers generally look for candidates with a high school diploma for the entry level medical equip repairer positions. Many employers give preference to candidates with postsecondary education. The medical equip repairers undergo on-the-job training. They may also opt for manufacture training classes and associate degree programs. Generally, an associates degree in electronics or medical technology is required for candidates aspiring to become a repairer of complicated equipments like CAT scanners and defibrillators. There are a large number of universities and colleges which provide the programs and special courses for medical equipment repairing jobs.

Job Requirements

For entry level positions, candidates need to have just a high school diploma in related areas of study. Many of the medical equip repairers are trained in the military. The new repairers begin their careers by assisting an experienced repairer over a period of about 3 to 6 months. The biomedical equipment repairers are continuously learning new technologies and handling new equipment through self-study, seminars, and other certification exams.

Individuals having some experience in repairing medical equipments may be preferred by the employers. Although much training is provided on the job, the ability to read and comprehend technical manuals is also very important. The medical equip repairers must be able to pay attention to the minute details, enjoy problem solving, and also have the desire to disassemble the equipments to see how they work.

The opportunities for advancement in this field may vary greatly. For self-employed medical equip repairers, advancement means the ability to charge more money for their services. For those employed in firms, several supervisory opportunities are available. An experienced medical equip repairer may become a mentor to the beginners in the field.

Nature of Work

The medical equip repairers are either self-employed or work for a hospital/medical center. They must have good communication skills as they may have to interact with different types of people at work. The medical equip repairers may either work individually or in a team.

The normal working hours for medical equipment repairers is during the day, but they are often expected to work at night if the need arises. There are several hospitals and factories, where the employees may have to work irregular hours. The medical equipment repairers also have to work in an environment which can expose them to diseases and other health risks.

Medical Equip Repairers Jobs and Outlook

As per the data of 2007, the medical equip repairers held about 38,000 jobs in the United States. The employment opportunities for medical equipment repairers are expected to grow by 22% in the next ten years. The industries which have the highest levels of employment for this occupation include:

• Consumer Goods Rental
• Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
• Health and Personal Care Stores
• Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

The average annual earnings of medical equip repairers in the United States is around $40,580.

Job Numbers and Growth

The official count of medical equip repairers in 2008 was 38,000. Workers have recently faced a very low level of unemployment. The unemployment rate for employees? About 2% recently.

Area Job Conditions

You'll see a lot of medical equip repairers in Elizabethtown (Kentucky), Morgantown (West Virginia), and Johnstown (Pennsylvania), and comparatively fewer in Raleigh (North Carolina), Wichita (Kansas), and Charlotte (North Carolina).

Wages for Workers are highest in Knoxville (Tennessee), Canton (Ohio), and Salt Lake City (Utah), and lowest in Wichita Falls (Texas), Johnstown (Pennsylvania), and Elizabethtown (Kentucky).

Training and Education

Employees normally have an associate degree before landing a job. Degrees are held by 15% of current medical equip repairers. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 57% of workers. Education topped out at high school for 28% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Part-time work suffices for 10% of medical equip repairers. Workers working on their own make up 14% of the total.

Medical Equip Repairers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin