Medical Equipment Repairer
What They Do:
Someone who installs, maintains, and repairs patient care equipment.
Troubleshooting, dexterity, analytical thinking, and technical expertise—skills already in your toolbox—make for an efficient medical equipment repairer.
This is a career for someone who is, or who is interested in careers such as a handyman, mechanic, or computer repairer.
Qualifications:
Education requirements for medical equipment repairers vary, depending on a worker’s experience and area of specialization. However, the most common education is an associate’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering. Those who repair less-complicated equipment, such as hospital beds and electric wheelchairs, may learn entirely through on-the-job training, sometimes lasting up to 1 year. Others, particularly those who work on more sophisticated equipment, such as CAT scanners and defibrillators, may need a bachelor’s degree.
Although not mandatory, certification can demonstrate competence and professionalism, making candidates more attractive to employers. It can also increase a repairer’s opportunities for advancement. Most employers, particularly in hospitals, often pay for their in-house medical repairers to become certified.
What They Make:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2019 median pay was 49,280 per year.
Where They Work:
Medical equipment repairers work at:
Wholesale suppliers
Electronic repair and maintenance shops
Hospitals
Ambulatory health care services
Health and personal care stores
Medical equipment repairers who work as contractors often have to travel—sometimes long distances—to perform needed repairs.
Although medical repairers usually work during the day, they are sometimes expected to be on call, including evenings and weekends.
Career Outlook:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical equipment repairers is projected to grow 5% from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Greater demand for healthcare services and the use of increasingly complex medical equipment will drive employment growth. Those who have an associate’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering should have the best job opportunities.
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Equipment Repairers,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/medical-equipment-repairers.htm (visited January 2021).
Updated February 2021
