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Biomedical Technician

Kaihangarau Utauta Whakaora

Biomedical technicians make, modify, maintain and repair mechanical and electronic medical equipment such as clinical machines, surgical instruments and implants.

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Secondary education

NCEA Level 2 is required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include biology, construction and mechanical technologies, design and visual communication, digital technologies, mathematics and physics.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Diploma
  • Bachelor's degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for biomedical technicians includes:

  • work with a medical equipment company
  • mechanical, electrical and engineering work
  • computer work. 

What you will do

Biomedical technicians may do some or all of the following:

  • advise and consult with medical staff about their equipment requirements
  • make surgical equipment and tools
  • install and test medical equipment
  • examine, maintain and repair equipment
  • do quality assurance and electrical safety checks on equipment
  • train staff to use equipment and give technical advice and assistance
  • help design and develop implants for use during operations – for example, artificial joints.

Skills and knowledge

Biomedical technicians need to have:

  • knowledge of medical equipment, its use and care
  • knowledge of biomedical technology
  • practical skills in mechanics, engineering, electronics and testing equipment
  • a basic understanding of physiology and medical terms.
Pay

Biomedical technicians usually earn

$58K-$86K

per year

Senior biomedical technicians usually earn

$87K-$104K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a biomedical technician are good due to a shortage of workers.
Length of training
2
years of training usually required

Industry

Health

Biomedical technicians make, modify, maintain and repair mechanical and electronic medical equipment such as clinical machines, surgical instruments and implants.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a biomedical technician you need one of the following:

  • New Zealand Diploma of Engineering (in electrical, electronic or mechanical engineering)
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology.

Biomedical technicians who are registered as electrical service technicians must take a refresher course every two years to keep their licence up to date.

Chances of getting a job

Demand for biomedical technicians is rising due to:

  • experienced staff often leaving for better paid positions overseas
  • not enough people training to be biomedical technicians
  • an ageing population with more health problems
  • increasing use of sophisticated medical devices in the health industry.

Most biomedical technicians work for hospitals

About two-thirds of biomedical technicians work for district health boards. Others work for:

  • private hospitals
  • equipment suppliers in the private sector.

Find out more about training

Engineering New Zealand
 04 473 9444 - hello@engineeringnz.org - www.engineeringnz.org

Progression and specialisations

Biomedical technicians can progress into managerial or biomedical engineering positions.

Working conditions

Biomedical technicians:

  • work regular business hours, but may be on call
  • work in hospital workshops, clinics, and departments.

Physical Requirements

Biomedical technicians need to have good hand-eye co-ordination and normal colour vision.

Useful personal qualities

Biomedical technicians need to be:

  • careful, methodical, well organised and responsible
  • practical and logical
  • able to work without direct supervision and show initiative
  • customer-focused and mindful of patients' rights and comfort
  • good communicators
  • skilled at analysis and problem-solving
  • good with computers.

Industry

Health

Biomedical technicians make, modify, maintain and repair mechanical and electronic medical equipment such as clinical machines, surgical instruments and implants.

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