Biomedical Engineers

Career Description: Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

Industry: Architecture and Engineering

Other Job Titles for Biomedical Engineers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
• Install, adjust, maintain, and/or repair biomedical equipment.
• Advise hospital administrators on the planning, acquisition, and use of medical equipment.
• Advise and assist in the application of instrumentation in clinical environments.
• Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.
• Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
• Design and develop medical diagnostic and clinical instrumentation, equipment, and procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
• Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
• Teach biomedical engineering or disseminate knowledge about field through writing or consulting.
• Design and deliver technology to assist people with disabilities.
• Diagnose and interpret bioelectric data, using signal processing techniques.
• Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
• Analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes.
• Develop new applications for energy sources, such as using nuclear power for biomedical implants.
• Prepare cost estimates, contracts, bidding documents and technical reports for specific projects under an architect's supervision.
• Calculate heat loss and gain of buildings and structures to determine required equipment specifications, following standard procedures.
• Build landscape, architectural and display models.

Emerging Tasks

• Conduct preventative maintenance on equipment.
• Conduct training/in-services to educate clinicians, staff, and personnel on proper use of equipment.
• Install, adjust, maintain, repair, and/or provide technical support for biomedical equipment.
• Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
• Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and utilizing budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• advise clients or customers
• advise clients regarding engineering problems
• analyze engineering design problems
• analyze engineering test data
• analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• analyze test data
• calculate engineering specifications
• collect scientific or technical data
• communicate technical information
• compile numerical or statistical data
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• confer with research personnel
• confer with scientists
• coordinate engineering project activities
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• delegate authority for engineering activities
• design electro-mechanical equipment
• design electronic equipment
• design engineered systems
• develop or maintain databases
• develop plans for programs or projects
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• develop tables depicting data
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• estimate time needed for project
• evaluate costs of engineering projects
• evaluate engineering data
• evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
• evaluate product design
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• explain complex mathematical information
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• plan scientific research or investigative studies
• plan testing of engineering methods
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide analytical assessment of engineering data
• read technical drawings
• recommend materials for products
• resolve engineering or science problems
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand engineering data or reports
• use biological research techniques
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use government regulations
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements
• use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
• use land surveying techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use project management techniques
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write business project or bid proposals
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements

Overall Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$36.27
• Average annual wage (2007) - $75,440.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 21.11%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 3,036
• Employment (2006): 14,379

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• Mechanical Drafters
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• Set and Exhibit Designers