How to become a Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers apply engineering and scientific methods to find solutions to problems in medicine and the life sciences.
Personal requirements for a Biomedical Engineer
- Good communication skills
- Able to observe and take accurate measurements
- Patient and imaginative
- Aptitude for design
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
Education & Training for a Biomedical Engineer
To become a biomedical engineer you usually have to complete an engineering degree at university with a major in biomedical engineering. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Duties & Tasks of a Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers:
- Design new medical monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
- Set up and maintain medical equipment
- Specify equipment for particular purposes
- Test the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of equipment
- Plan data processing services and the development of associated computing programs
- Analyse new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes
- Participate in medical or scientific procedures where biomedical skills are needed
- Design and deliver technology to assist people with disability
- Analyse and design prosthetic and orthotic devices
- Measure and monitor physiological systems
- Diagnose and interpret bioelectric data using signal processing techniques
- Provide computer analysis of patient-related data.
Tasks
- Installs and tests medical equipment.
- Carries out quality assurance checks on equipment.
- Makes surgical equipment and tools for medical practitioners.
- May give lectures on electrical safety and the application of clinical equipment.
- Conducts electrical safety checks on equipment.
- Trains other staff in the use of equipment and gives technical advice and assistance.
- Examines, maintains and repairs equipment.
- May work with other staff to design and develop implants for use during operations such as artificial joints or titanium plates to replace sections of bone in head injuries.
Working conditions for a Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers work in health care and must have a good theoretical and practical knowledge of engineering, a sound understanding of medical sciences and the ability to combine the two. Biomedical engineers usually work in multidisciplinary teams with other professionals, including anaesthetists, surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists and other medical specialists.
Employment Opportunities for a Biomedical Engineer
Most biomedical engineers are employed in public hospital-based engineering departments, by medical equipment vendors or by third-party service organisations. Some may be employed by firms involved in the development of medical devices and instruments and in the development or transfer of medical services technology. Biomedical engineers may also be employed in state and federal government departments and universities, and some are self-employed as consultants. Rehabilitation engineers are usually employed in rehabilitation centres.
Specializations
Bio-engineer
A bio-engineer applies engineering principles to the study of biological systems and processes.
Clinical Engineer
A clinical engineer works within a hospital or healthcare facility researching, developing and building instruments or specifying, tendering, commissioning and maintaining instruments and equipment to aid clinical staff.
Rehabilitation Engineer
A rehabilitation engineer deals with systems and devices that improve the quality of life of people with disability. Rehabilitation engineers complement the work of other healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers apply engineering and scientific methods to find solutions to problems in medicine and the life sciences.
Average age
37
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
21% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
88%
Employment Size
1,300
Employment by state
ACT: 1.7%
NSW: 35.9%
NT: 0.5%
QLD: 13.7%
SA: 8.8%
TAS: 1.2%
VIC: 28.6%
WA: 9.5%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 5.5%
25-34: 32%
35-44: 28.9%
45-54: 17.2%
55-59: 8.1%
60-64: 4.8%
65 and Over: 3.6%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 17.3%
Bachelor degree: 42.7%
Certificate III/IV: 10.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 26.6%
Year 10 and below: 0%
Year 11: 0%
Year 12: 3.3%
