How to become A Biomedical Engineer

• Bioengineer
• Biomedical Flight Controller
• Clinical Engineer
• Clinical Scientist
• Design Engineer

What do Biomedical Engineers do?

A Biomedical Engineer would typically need to:

• Use computer software and mathematical models to design, develop or test devices that replace defective body parts and machines which diagnose medical problems
• Program electronics, build and evaluate prototypes, troubleshoot problems, and revise the design until it works correctly
• Liaise with technicians and manufacturers to ensure the feasibility of a product in terms of design, safety, efficiency, and economic viability
• Install, adjust, maintain, repair, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment; discuss and solve problems with the manufacturing, quality control, purchasing and marketing departments
• Work closely with other medical professionals, such as doctors and therapists, and end-users (patients and their caretakers) to assess the potential of a broader market for products or modifications
• Arrange clinical trials of medical products; approach marketing and other industry companies to sell the product
• Prepare procedures, write technical reports, publish research papers, and attend conferences and exhibitions to present their work and latest designs to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
• Deal with technical queries from, and advise on new equipment to hospitals and GPs
• Train technical or clinical staff
• Investigate safety-related incidents and run computer simulations to test new drug therapies
• Work with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists to research the engineering aspects of humans and animals

The work is collaborative, and you will need to have a good network of contacts. Biomedical Engineers work in teams with scientists, healthcare workers, and other engineers. Local travel within the working day may be required.

Working hours are usually full time unless changes are required to meet the client or patients’ needs. Research work may mean a flexible environment with longer hours necessary at certain stages of a project. Safety and maintenance work on hospital equipment is likely to be done out of hours.

Part-time employment is available, and career breaks are possible.

Biomedical Engineers work in hospitals where therapy occurs and in research laboratories as well as in manufacturing settings where they design biomedical engineering products and in commercial offices where they make or support business decisions.

Biomedical Engineers are generally employed by:

• Medical Equipment & Supplies Manufacturing Firms
• Scientific Research & Development Services
• Pharmaceutical & Medicine Manufacturing Firms
• Colleges, Universities & Professional Schools
• General, Medical & Surgical Hospitals
• Rehabilitation or Health Charities

Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your Resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Biomedical Engineer.

• Coordinating service schedules for equipment while convincing clinical staff and stakeholders that equipment should be replaced
• Obtaining manufacturer support when problems arise
• Exposure to disease, electric shock, radiation, burns, or toxic fumes on the job in addition to job burnout or health complications due to mismanagement of career expectations

STEM-related summer camps and job shadowing opportunities in the medical or engineering fields would round out your preparation for a Biomedical Engineering degree program. Relevant work experience in the form of vacation work, a placement year, or voluntary work helps get the first job and make contacts.

Working with people with disabilities would make Biomedical Engineers aware of the need for life-enhancing and life-saving technologies while adding to their market research. Previous experience in project management, quality, and design would also be useful. Biomedical Engineering students are encouraged to volunteer for organizations seeking to design or modify equipment for individuals with specific needs.

A bachelor's degree in relevant subjects like Biomedical Science or Engineering, electrical or electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics is a requirement for entry-level Biomedical Engineering positions.

A degree accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) would gain Biomedical Engineers chartered status. Your program has to be accredited by a relevant professional organization if your work directly affects the public. Some locations require a Biomedical Engineer to pass an examination before being designated as a professional engineer.

Biomedical Engineers are required to be licensed to practice. Licensing generally requires completing an accredited bachelor's program, working for a set number of years, and passing a series of examinations.

When Biomedical Engineers choose to go into research, their career path will typically involve a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, followed by a role at a university or academic institute as a Biomedical Lecturer or Biomedical Researcher. You can also lead a research team.

In an industry set-up, Biomedical Engineers can move into a job after their degree and begin to work their way up. Senior posts include management, marketing, production, quality assurance, research, or technical advice. There may be scope for international work.

Biomedical Engineers also have the opportunity to specialize in biomechanics, biomaterials, medical instrumentation, or rehabilitation. Some Biomedical Engineers attend dental or medical school to specialize in applications at the forefront of patient care. Others earn law degrees and work as Patent Attorneys.

Competition will be stiff for applicants with just a bachelor's degree.

In some locations, training as a Biomedical Engineer includes three years of workplace-based training and specialized settings and an accredited master’s degree. In the private sector, working in a certain position and having the required professional competencies and commitment would help Biomedical Engineers achieve chartered status.

In addition to structured training routes, various groups like IET and IMechE run seminars, workshops, conferences, and courses that are relevant and encourage networking. Continuing professional development (CPD) can be carried out by attending these events, reading the trade press, and gaining membership with a professional body. Relevant CPD is essential to retain your license as a practicing Biomedical Engineer.

Future Prospects

Considered a high-paying profession, Biomedical Engineering remains a relatively virgin fertile career exhibiting a yet-to-be exploited niche worldwide. Self-employment is unlikely. There may be scope to work as a consulting engineer or contractor to a hospital once Biomedical Engineers gain significant experience.

Specialty Areas

Specialty areas in Biomedical Engineering include bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, biomechanics, clinical engineering, rehabilitation engineering, and systems physiology.

Life-Enhancing & Life-Saving Technologies

Biomedical Engineers have developed several life-enhancing and life-saving technologies. These include prosthetics, such as dentures and artificial limb replacements, and surgical devices and systems such as robotic and laser surgery. They comprise systems to monitor vital signs and blood chemistry and implanted devices such as insulin pumps, pacemakers, and artificial organs.

The technologies embrace imaging methods such as ultrasound, X-rays, particle beams, magnetic resonance, and diagnostics such as lab-on-a-chip. They cover therapeutic equipment and devices such as kidney dialysis, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS and radiation therapy using particle beams and X-rays. Physical therapy devices such as exercise equipment and wearable tech also form part of this constantly expanding sector.

The demand for Biomedical Engineers will increase by a whopping 62 percent through 2020; Biomedical Engineering has one of the highest percentages of female students in any engineering field.

The benefits of the substantial professional strides made by Biomedical Engineers are apparent, clear, and convincing. Every study you do contributes to the body of knowledge that brings science and society closer to a solution to the ailments plaguing humankind.

When you want to know how things work, study them when they are coming apart. Have a love of learning, for there will always be something new around the corner. Be committed to your field - it could take years to build knowledge and expertise.