Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools

Navigation

You are here: Home › Careers › New Zealand Careers › Careers Descriptions › Specialised Craft and Equipment Manufacturing and Repair Careers › Biomedical Technician (Mechanical and Electronic)

Biomedical Technician (Mechanical and Electronic)

Biomedical technicians maintain complex mechanical and electronic medical equipment in hospitals and other health sector institutes. They may also make, modify or repair specialised clinical accessories, surgical instruments and surgical implants.

 

Tasks & duties

Biomedical technicians may do some or all of the following:

  • advise and consult with surgeons and other medical staff about their equipment requirements
  • make surgical equipment and tools for medical practitioners
  • install and test medical equipment
  • examine, maintain and repair equipment
  • do quality assurance and electrical safety checks on equipment
  • train staff to use equipment and give technical advice and assistance
  • give lectures on electrical safety and the application of clinical equipment
  • talk with medical equipment suppliers, and negotiate with them over the price of equipment
  • work with other staff to design and develop implants for use during operations – for example, artificial joints, or titanium plates to replace sections of bone in people who have had head injuries

 

Specialisations

In larger centres, biomedical technicians may specialise in certain hospital departments and equipment. Areas of specialisation can include:

  • diagnostic radiology equipment
  • radiotherapy equipment
  • medical laboratory equipment

 

Skills & knowledge

Biomedical technicians need to have:

  • knowledge of how medical equipment works and its use and care
  • knowledge of biomedical technology
  • practical skills in mechanics, engineering, electronics and testing equipment
  • a sound understanding of computers
  • a basic understanding of physiology and medical terms
  • good communication skills
  • analytical and problem-solving skills
  • good organisational ability

 

Entry requirements

To become a biomedical technician it is preferred that you have a National Diploma in Engineering, majoring in mechanical, electronic or computer engineering.

Most employers prefer and support you to get a TAFE qualification in Medical Equipment Servicing and Technical Support through distance learning with TAFE New South Wales. The course takes about 126 hours to complete.

 

Secondary education

At least four years of secondary education is needed to enter training. Useful subjects include maths, physics, metal work, computer science and English.

 

Training on the job

Biomedical technicians gain many of their skills on the job and can participate in courses and workshops to keep their knowledge up-to-date. They may travel within New Zealand and overseas to train in the use of specialised equipment, and use this training to educate others in their work environment.

 

Other requirements

Electronic biomedical technicians need to be registered as electrical service technicians with the Electrical Workers Registration Board. They must also renew their practising licence every year.

 

Useful experience

Useful experience for biomedical technicians includes:

  • work with a medical equipment company
  • electronics work
  • computer work
  • other engineering work
  • an electrical or mechanical background

 

Related courses

Electronic Engineering

 

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

Document Actions