Health Career: Biomedical Engineer
Who are biomedical engineers, and what do they do?
Biomedical engineers design and build specialized equipment for treating various health conditions like heart or lung problems. They use engineering skills to construct equipment that helps in diagnosing and treating health conditions like cardiac pacemakers, heart-lung machines and ultrasonic imaging devices. They also design and test supportive health aids such as metal and plastic hips and artificial organs.
How do biomedical engineers typically spend their workday?
As a biomedical engineer, you will likely work in a hospital, health clinic, community health agency or a private business. You may work for a medical device company helping to create new surgical tools intended to simplify and shorten surgeries. You will divide your time between researching design strategies, creating sample models and interviewing surgeons and other health professionals about their experiences using the devices. You will also work at finding ways to learn how to manufacture and mass-produce these tools. Or you may work in a research university helping to develop artificial organs or other health-related products. You will interview patients and doctors about their experiences with the organs as you continually try to create new and better designs.
What does it take to be a good biomedical engineer?
To be an effective biomedical engineer you should enjoy inventing, building and working with your hands. You should be fascinated with the creation of tools that help promote peoples' health. As a biomedical engineer, you should be curious and enjoy working on your own in trying to solve math and science-related problems. You should also be patient and feel comfortable working with computers.
What are some health-related jobs that are similar to that of a biomedical engineer?
Dental laboratory technician, orthotist, prosthetist.
Helpful links and more information:
- The Whitaker Foundation – A History of Biomedical Engineering
- The Whitaker Foundation – Academic Programs and BME Resources
- Biomedical Engineering Society
- BMES – Planning a Career in Biomedical Engineering
- National Institutes of Health – Bioengineering Consortium
