Medical Equipment Repairers

Career summary

Medical equipment repairers may also be called biomedical equipment technicians.

Medical equipment repairers maintain a variety of technical equipment, such as:

• X-ray machines
• Scanners
• Ultrasound machines
• Defibrillators
• Patient monitors

Medical equipment repairers install new equipment and test it for safety. They also test the facility for electrical hazards. Medical equipment repairers teach staff how to use the equipment. They do routine scheduled maintenance on all equipment in hospitals and health facilities.

Repairers use meters and test instruments to inspect equipment that is not working. They adjust the equipment using tools and measuring devices. Repairers refer to manufacturers' manuals, technical drawings, or blueprints.

Sometimes medical equipment repairers need to take apart equipment that is not working properly. They remove and replace faulty parts. They may send components such as circuit boards to the manufacturer for repair. Repairers use hand tools such as motors and switches. They solder loose connections. They also clean and lubricate equipment parts.

Repairers record the repair and maintenance work they do, including manufacturer updates. They also study manuals or take additional training to keep their skills up to date.

Some repairers specialize in one type of medical equipment, while others are trained to work on a variety of equipment.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Aircraft Mechanics
• Automotive Electronics Installers
• Communications Equipment Mechanics
• Elevator Installers and Repairers
• Engineering Technicians
• Heating and Cooling System Mechanics
• Industrial Electronics Repairers
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Manufacturing Production Technicians
• Medical Appliance Technicians

Military careers

• Electrical Products Repairers
• Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to medical equipment repairers.

• Install medical, dental, or other technical equipment in medical and research facilities.
• Test medical equipment and the facility for possible hazards.
• Explain correct operation of equipment to medical staff.
• Consult with medical or research staff when equipment is not working properly.
• Maintain a variety of technical equipment, such as patient monitors, x-ray units, and ultrasound equipment.
• Adjust equipment and parts using tools and measuring devices. Follow manufacturers' manuals and troubleshooting techniques.
• Inspect and test malfunctioning equipment using meters, computer software, and other test instruments.
• Take apart malfunctioning equipment and remove defective components.
• Repair and replace less complex parts, using hand tools.
• Solder loose connections using soldering iron.
• Clean and lubricate equipment.
• Log records of maintenance and repair work and equipment updates.
• Study technical manuals and attend courses to keep skills up to date.

Common work activities

Medical equipment repairers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Evaluate information against standards
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Use computers
• Document and record information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Process information
• Analyze data or information
• Think creatively
• Teach others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Handle and move objects
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Control machines and processes
• Develop goals and strategies
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Perform administrative tasks
• Assist and care for others
• Monitor and control resources

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, medical equipment repairers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social contact. They train medical staff how to use equipment, but also spend time alone while making repairs.
• Communicate by telephone and in person on a daily basis. They also use e-mail, but less often.
• Are responsible for the results of work done by other employees.
• Often work as part of a group.
• Are somewhat responsible for the safety of the patients and medical staff who use technical equipment.

Physical work conditions

• Are often exposed to hazardous conditions.
• Occasionally must get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces.
• Nearly always work indoors.
• Are often exposed to diseases or infections. They wear safety gear, such as gloves and surgical masks, to protect themselves.
• Are exposed to contaminants from medical equipment on a weekly basis.
• Work near others. They may share the same work area.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could cause serious injury to medical staff or patients.
• Make decisions that affect patients and medical employees who use medical equipment on a weekly basis. They make most decisions without talking to a supervisor first.
• Set most tasks and goals for the day without consulting a supervisor first.
• Abide by strict weekly deadlines.
• May repeat the same activities.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a 40-hour week.
• Generally work a set schedule.
• May sometimes work evenings, weekends, or holidays to repair critical equipment.
• May travel to different sites if they work as field repairers for equipment distributors.

Physical demands

Medical equipment repairers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for medical equipment repairers to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for medical equipment repairers to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.

Skills and abilities

Medical equipment repairers need to:

Communicate

• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Use math and science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with things

• Repair machines or systems.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Operate and control equipment.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Biomedical Technology

Other programs of study to consider

• Computer Installation and Repair
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology
• Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair
• Instrumentation Technology

Training

To work as a medical equipment repairer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have an associate degree; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Most medical equipment repairers complete formal training programs. Common areas of study are electronics or medical technology. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer these programs. You earn either a certificate or an associate degree. In these programs you learn how to use hand tools and test electronic equipment.

Repairers who fix more complicated equipment, such as CAT scanners, may need a bachelor's degree.

On-the-job training

Medical equipment repairers learn additional skills on the job from an experienced worker. You begin by observing and helping other workers. You usually learn one piece of equipment at a time. On-the-job training may last for three to six months.

Manufacturers also offer training sessions. Repairers attend these sessions to learn about new equipment.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be electrical products repairers or precision instrument repairers. The skills you learn in these occupations would transfer to being a medical equipment repairer. Training for these military occupations lasts four to 34 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Appliance Repair
• Electronics
• Equipment Maintenance and Repair

Many medical equipment repairers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer applicants who have completed a formal training program. Experience working on medical equipment is also helpful and may be required. Employers look for applicants who have good communications skills. This is because repairers teach medical personnel how to use equipment. Some employers may look for applicants who have a few years of direct work experience.

Certification as an electronics technician may also be helpful when applying for jobs.

Voluntary certification for general biomedical equipment technicians and for those who specialize in radiology and clinical laboratory equipment is available through the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) listed in the Other Resources section of this description. Completing an internship is very helpful.

#updated fee schedule 2/6/12 lh. No change to this info 3/3/15 cj. updated fee 2/8/16 lh; no changes 12/5/16 cj. non-member fee is higher 1/31/18 lh. Removed certifcation app & exam fee and put general statement about costs in CTW, 4/9/19 cj.

Costs to workers

Workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues. Workers who choose to be certified must also pay an application and exam fee.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Medical Equipment Repairers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by the repairer's level of training and experience. Wages also vary by area of the country.

Benefits may vary by employer. However, most repairers receive typical benefits, such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Those who are self-employed must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 13% of medical equipment repairers are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Wholesale distributors of medical equipment
• Hospitals
• Medical equipment repair shops

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will continue to grow. The increase in the aging population has increased the need for medical procedures. Medical equipment used for procedures is becoming more complex. Hospitals will keep repairers on staff so they can fix equipment as soon as it breaks. Demand is also growing quickly at outpatient surgery centers.

Job prospects are best for those with an associate degree in biomedical equipment technology. Job opportunities will be excellent.

Other resources

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation 
901 N. Glebe Road, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22203
703.525.4890

Electronics Technicians Association, International 
5 Depot Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
800.288.3824
765.653.8262

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

Washington State Biomedical Association 

References

Career cluster

• Manufacturing

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Medical Equipment Repairers (49-9062.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Biomedical Equipment Technician (019.261-010) 
• Dental-equipment Installer and Servicer (829.261-014) 
• Electromedical-equipment Repairer (729.281-030) 
• Medical-equipment Repairer (639.281-022) 
• Radiological-equipment Specialist (719.261-014) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled