Demand for medical equipment repair and maintenance continues to rise, especially as COVID-19 increases the number of patients in hospitals. Learn about the requirements for medical equipment repair and maintenance professionals. Also learn about the types of work and education needed to become a medical equipment repairer. You can even become a medical equipment repairer from the comfort of your home! We've compiled a list of jobs related to this field for you to check out!
Demand for medical equipment repair and maintenance during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is putting tremendous stress on U.S. healthcare facilities, causing demand for medical equipment repair and maintenance to increase dramatically. As hospital volume and patient care continue to ebb and flow, technicians need to stay abreast of changes and challenges in the medical equipment market. Two Democratic members of Congress have introduced legislation to allow technicians to repair medical equipment. This bill will bring the "right to repair" conversation to a national level and builds on earlier efforts.
GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, and Koninklijke Philips N.V., among others, are leading players in the medical equipment maintenance market. Other major players in the market include Carestream Health, Inc., and Canon, Inc. - part of Toshiba Medical System Corporation. These companies contribute to the market growth and have a number of repair and maintenance services and parts to choose from.
While this legislation does not mention medical equipment repair and maintenance specifically, it does signal that the issue is on the national radar and may grow momentum for change within the medical sector. The right to repair legislation has been introduced in at least 20 states, including Colorado. However, the Colorado legislature, which normally meets in June, has been dissolved early in order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education requirements for medical equipment repairers
Education requirements for medical equipment repairers vary depending on the type of equipment they work with. For instance, someone who works with hospital beds or electric wheelchairs does not necessarily need to be trained in an academic setting. On-the-job training may be enough. Interested students can read BLS's step-by-step guide to becoming a medical equipment repairer. They should also keep their grades high in math and science, as well as take elective courses.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has detailed information about the educational requirements for medical equipment repairers, including projected employment growth. Other resources include the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, a nonprofit organization focused on technological advances in medicine. A website dedicated to biomedical engineering and repairers has informative blogs, forums, and job listings. There is a wide range of educational opportunities available in this field. Further information can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics' site.
Continuing education is essential for medical equipment repairers. Depending on the equipment type, it may be necessary to study individual pieces of equipment to become familiar with their functioning. This might require studying manuals or technical specifications. Some original equipment manufacturers offer training courses in medical equipment repair. Otherwise, it is essential to attend seminars to stay abreast of the latest advances in the field. And of course, you should be aware of any specialization that medical equipment repairers may need.
Working hours for medical equipment repairers
Working hours for medical equipment repairers vary. Some are on call while others work during the day. As the job involves repairing life-saving equipment, medical equipment repairers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, diseases, and other health risks. Some medical equipment repairers travel long distances. The working conditions are challenging but rewarding. A typical day includes traveling to a number of medical facilities. Working hours for medical equipment repairers range from eight to twenty-four hours.
Experienced medical equipment repairers must learn how to work with different types of medical equipment. New workers will observe more experienced repairers for three to six months before becoming more independent. New devices are introduced all the time, so medical equipment repairers must stay up to date on new technologies and skills. In some cases, original equipment manufacturers provide technical training. Working hours for medical equipment repairers vary widely by location. Some may be required to work nights and weekends.
Employment of medical equipment repairers is projected to grow seven percent through 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. During this decade, there will be an estimated 6,300 new job openings. Many of these openings are expected to be caused by retiring workers, leaving the workforce, or switching to another occupation. For more information about job duties, visit O*NET. This resource contains information on key characteristics of medical equipment repairers.
