Biomedical Engineer

Duties and Responsibilities
      Design and deliver technology to assist people with disabilities. Design and develop medical diagnostic and clinical instrumentation, equipment, and procedures, using the principles of engineering and bio behavioral sciences. Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals. Advise and assist in the application of instrumentation in clinical environments. Develop new applications for energy sources, such as using nuclear power for biomedical implants. Install, adjust, maintain, repair, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment. Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment. Analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes. Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment. Conduct training or in-services to educate clinicians and other personnel on proper use of equipment. Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs. Teach biomedical engineering or disseminate knowledge about field through writing or consulting. Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses. Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment. Diagnose and interpret bioelectric data, using signal processing techniques. Develop models or computer simulations of human bio behavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes. Advise hospital administrators on the planning, acquisition, and use of medical equipment. Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and using budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines conduct preventative maintenance on equipment.  (According to Arthur J McLean)

Salary:

Biomedical engineers annual earnings of $79,610 in 2007, according to the BLS. Those working in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing saw slightly higher salaries, at $81,950, while those working in scientific research and development earned $92,870. Careers with the most competition often require applicants to have a master's degree.

Education

A bachelor's degree is the first step for engineers because most careers in the field require the degree as an entry level requirement. Biomedical engineers often combine formal training in mechanical and electronics engineering with focused biomedical training to operate confidently in the field. Unlike many engineering fields, many entry-level biomedical engineers hold a master's degree. Some schools provide undergraduate degrees in biomedical engineering and typical coursework includes instruction in neural engineering fundamentals; bio fluid mechanics; engineering electrophysiology; diagnostic imaging physics; and drug design, development, and delivery. In addition to core courses, students can take electives related to their ultimate career goals. 

Reflection 

 No I would not like to be an Biomedical Engineer because i'm simply not interested in that career.