For Biomedical Equipment Technicians
A new forecast from the federal government says biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs) can expect to see “excellent job opportunities” throughout this decade with a robust, double-digit job growth rate that’s more than double the national average.
The 2012-2013 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that employment of BMETs, identified as “medical equipment repairers,” will rise by 31% from 2010 to 2020. The projected growth rate for all occupations during that same period is 14%.
“Greater demand for healthcare services and the use of increasingly complex medical equipment will drive employment growth,” the handbook reads. “Those who have an associate’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering should have the best job opportunities.”
The bureau says that the median annual wage for the profession was $44,490 in May 2010, well above the median annual wage of $38,010 for other “repair occupations” and even higher than the median annual wage of $33,840 for all occupations.
The aging population is one significant factor in the overall greater demand for healthcare services. “With the expected increase in the number of older adults and with people living longer, health professionals are prescribing more medical tests that use new, complex equipment,” the handbook reads.
The increasing complexity of medical equipment is also helping the job market. “Changes in technology are bringing hospitals and health professionals more types of equipment and more complex equipment,” according to the handbook. “Medical equipment repairers will be needed to maintain and repair CAT scans, electrocardiograms, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasounds, X-ray machines, and other new technology.”
Young professionals can also expect to benefit by a wave of retirements over the next decade. “Job opportunities should be even better for those who are willing to relocate because often there are relatively few qualified applicants in rural areas,” according to the handbook.
It notes that the majority of BMETs work for equipment suppliers (28%), followed by hospitals (16%).
Members of AAMI’s Technology Management Council successfully convinced the Department of Labor to include the term BMET in referencing “medical equipment repairers.”
The profession has been recognized for several years now as one of the most promising in the nation. For example, it was featured in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Careers” in 2008 and 2009.
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from the AAMI News Room Website.
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from the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
