Biomedical Engineers

Career, Salary and Education Information

What They Do: Biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with medical sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software. Work Environment: Most biomedical engineers work in manufacturing, universities, hospitals, and research facilities of companies and educational and medical institutions. They usually work full time. How to Become One: Biomedical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or bioengineering, or in a related engineering field. Some positions may require a graduate degree. Salary: The median annual wage for biomedical engineers is $91,410. Job Outlook: Employment of biomedical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations. Increasing numbers of technologies and applications to medical equipment and devices, along with the medical needs of a growing and aging population, will require the services of biomedical engineers. Related Careers: Explore occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Following is everything you need to know about a career as a Biomedical Engineer with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following Biomedical Engineer jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career: Top 3 Biomedical Engineer Jobs Biomedical Engineer - Aerotek - New Haven, CT Bio-medical Engineer Looking to hire a Bio-medical Engineer for one of the fastest growing bio-tech companies in Connecticut. In this position, the Bio-medical Engineer will research and execute ...

- - New Haven, CT Medical Device Engineer - Astrix Technology Group - Santa Clara, CA Engineer Level 3 Location: Temecula, CA Duration: 12 months Description: * Possesses educational ... Maintain and repair biomedical equipment * Document quarterly preventative maintenance on ...

- - Santa Clara, CA Manager - Clinical Engineering - MRH JDCH and RSC: Clinical Engineering - Memorial Healthcare System - Hollywood, FL Essential: • Bachelor of Science degree in electrical, biomedical , clinical engineering , or related field.Relevant work experience may substitute for education requirement. Other information See all Biomedical Engineer jobs

What Biomedical Engineers Do About this section ] [ To Top Biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with medical and biological sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software used in healthcare. Duties of Biomedical Engineers Biomedical engineers typically do the following: Design biomedical equipment and devices, such as artificial internal organs, replacements for body parts, and machines for diagnosing medical problems

Install, adjust, maintain, repair, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment

Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment

Train clinicians and other personnel on the proper use of biomedical equipment

Research the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists

Prepare procedures, write technical reports, publish research papers, and make recommendations based on their research findings

Present research findings to scientists, nonscientist executives, clinicians, hospital management, engineers, other colleagues, and the public Biomedical engineers design instruments, devices, and software used in healthcare; develop new procedures using knowledge from many technical sources; or conduct research needed to solve clinical problems. They frequently work in research and development or quality assurance. Biomedical engineers design electrical circuits, software to run medical equipment, or computer simulations to test new drug therapies. In addition, they design and build artificial body parts, such as hip and knee joints. In some cases, they develop the materials needed to make the replacement body parts. They also design rehabilitative exercise equipment. The work of these engineers spans many professional fields. For example, although their expertise is based in engineering and biology, they often design computer software to run complicated instruments, such as three-dimensional x-ray machines. Alternatively, many of these engineers use their knowledge of chemistry and biology to develop new drug therapies. Others draw heavily on math and statistics to build models to understand the signals transmitted by the brain or heart. Some may be involved in sales. The following are examples of specialty areas within the field of biomedical engineering: Bioinstrumentation uses electronics, computer science, and measurement principles to develop instruments used in the diagnosis and treatment of medical problems. Biomaterials is the study of naturally occurring or laboratory-designed materials that are used in medical devices or as implantation materials. Biomechanics involves the study of mechanics, such as thermodynamics, to solve biological or medical problems. Clinical engineering applies medical technology to optimize healthcare delivery. Rehabilitation engineering is the study of engineering and computer science to develop devices that assist individuals recovering from or adapting to physical and cognitive impairments. Systems physiology uses engineering tools to understand how systems within living organisms, from bacteria to humans, function and respond to changes in their environment. Some people with training in biomedical engineering become postsecondary teachers.

Work Environment for Biomedical Engineers About this section ] [ To Top Biomedical engineers hold about 21,200 jobs. The largest employers of biomedical engineers are as follows: Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing 17% Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences 14% Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing 9% Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private 8% Healthcare and social assistance 8% Biomedical engineers work in teams with scientists, healthcare workers, or other engineers. Where and how they work depends on the project. For example, a biomedical engineer who has developed a new device designed to help a person with a disability to walk again might have to spend hours in a hospital to determine whether the device works as planned. If the engineer finds a way to improve the device, he or she might have to return to the manufacturer to help alter the manufacturing process to improve the design. Biomedical Engineer Work Schedules Biomedical engineers usually work full time on a normal schedule. However, as with employees in almost any engineering occupation, biomedical engineers occasionally may have to work additional hours to meet the needs of patients, managers, colleagues, and clients. Some biomedical engineers work more than 40 hours per week.

How to Become a Biomedical Engineer About this section ] [ To Top Get the education you need: Find schools for Biomedical Engineers near you! Biomedical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering or bioengineering, or in a related engineering field. Some positions may require a graduate degree. Find a Degree: Degree Type:

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This form requires javascript. Education for Biomedical Engineers Biomedical engineering and traditional engineering programs, such as mechanical and electrical, are typically good preparation for entering biomedical engineering jobs. Students who pursue traditional engineering programs at the bachelor's level may benefit from taking biological science courses. Students interested in becoming biomedical engineers should take high school science courses, such as chemistry, physics, and biology. They should also take math courses, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Courses in drafting or mechanical drawing and in computer programming are also useful. Bachelor's degree programs in biomedical engineering and bioengineering focus on engineering and biological sciences. Programs include laboratory- and classroom-based courses, in subjects such as fluid and solid mechanics, computer programming, circuit design, and biomaterials. Other required courses may include biological sciences, such as physiology. Accredited programs also include substantial training in engineering design. Many programs include co-ops or internships, often with hospitals and medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, to provide students with practical applications as part of their study. Biomedical engineering and bioengineering programs are accredited by ABET. Important Qualities for Biomedical Engineers Analytical skills. Biomedical engineers must analyze the needs of patients and customers to design appropriate solutions. Communication skills. Because biomedical engineers sometimes work with patients and frequently work on teams, they must express themselves clearly. They must seek others' ideas and incorporate those ideas into the problem-solving process. Creativity. Biomedical engineers must be creative to come up with innovative and integrative advances in healthcare equipment and devices. Math skills. Biomedical engineers use the principles of calculus and other advanced topics in math and statistics, for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work. Problem-solving skills. Biomedical engineers typically deal with and solve problems in complex biological systems. Advancement for Biomedical Engineers Biomedical engineers typically receive greater responsibility through experience and more education. To lead a research team, a biomedical engineer generally needs a graduate degree. Biomedical engineers who are interested in basic research may become medical scientists. Some biomedical engineers attend medical or dental school to specialize in various techniques or topical areas, such as using electric impulses in new ways to get muscles moving again. Some earn law degrees and work as patent attorneys. Others pursue a master's degree in business administration (MBA) and move into managerial positions. For more information, see the profiles on lawyers and architectural and engineering managers.

Biomedical Engineer Salaries About this section ] [ More salary/earnings info ] [ To Top Salary Calculator Job Title Select Job Title Accountant Actor Actuary Advertising Representative Aerospace Engineer Architect Biologist Biomedical Engineer Chemical Engineer Chemist Civil Engineer Computer Engineer Computer Programmer Construction Managers Economist Electrical Engineer Elementary Education Teacher Environmental Engineer Environmental Scientists Financial Analyst Geologist High School Teacher Hospitality Management Human Resources Specialists Industrial Engineer Journalist Manufacturing Engineer Materials Engineer Mathematician Mechanical Engineer Middle School Education Teacher Musician Nuclear Engineer Nurse Petroleum Engineer Physicist Psychologist Public Relations Specialist Sales Representative Social Worker Sociologist Software Developers Special Education Teacher Statistician Supply Chain Logistics State Select State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Select State to see City/Metro Experience Level

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Calculate The median annual wage for biomedical engineers is $91,410. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $55,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $148,210. The median annual wages for biomedical engineers in the top industries in which they work are as follows: Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing $105,720 Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences $92,230 Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing $89,400 Healthcare and social assistance $77,520 Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private $73,300 Biomedical engineers usually work full time on a normal schedule. However, as with employees in almost any engineering occupation, biomedical engineers occasionally may have to work additional hours to meet the needs of patients, managers, colleagues, and clients. About 1 in 5 biomedical engineers work more than 40 hours per week.

Job Outlook for Biomedical Engineers About this section ] [ To Top Employment of biomedical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations. Biomedical engineers likely will see employment growth because of increasing possibilities brought by new technologies and increasing applications to medical equipment and devices. Smartphone technology and three-dimensional printing are examples of technology being applied to biomedical advances. As the aging baby-boom generation lives longer and stays active, the demand for biomedical devices and procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, is expected to increase. In addition, as the public continues to become more aware of medical advances, increasing numbers of people will seek biomedical solutions to their health problems from their physicians. Biomedical engineers work with scientists, other medical researchers, and manufacturers to address a wide range of injuries and physical disabilities. Their ability to work in different activities with workers from other fields is enlarging the range of applications for biomedical engineering products and services. Employment projections data for Biomedical Engineers, 2019-29 Occupational Title Employment, 2019 Projected Employment, 2029 Change, 2019-29 Percent Numeric Biomedical engineers 21,200 22,200 5 1,100

Careers Related to Biomedical Engineers About this section ] [ To Top Agricultural Engineers Agricultural engineers attempt to solve agricultural problems concerning power supplies, the efficiency of machinery, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products. Architectural and Engineering Managers Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies. Biochemists and Biophysicists Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes, such as cell development, growth, heredity, and disease. Chemical Engineers Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods and byproducts treatment, and direct facility operations. Electrical and Electronics Engineers Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, including broadcast and communications systems, such as portable music players and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Materials Engineers Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and biomedical devices. They study the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, nanomaterials (extremely small substances), and other substances in order to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements. Mechanical Engineers Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines. Physicians and Surgeons Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates. Sales Engineers Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses. They must have extensive knowledge of the products' parts and functions and must understand the scientific processes that make these products work.

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