What is Biomedical Technology Systems?
The Biomedical Technology Systems (BTS) program at Madisonville Community College is designed for the serious adult learner who desires a rewarding, stable, and life-long career as a biomedical equipment technology service provider.
The BTS curriculum focuses on repairing, maintaining, and managing a wide variety of medical devices, equipment, and systems. The learner will gain a holistic perspective of the life-cycle duties and skills needed to ensure that medical devices meet safety and performance expectations.
The program also addresses both general and specialized medical technologies along with how these technologies are interfaced with health networks. The programs included IT related content will adequately prepare the student to meet the expectations of employers.
All the classes within the BTS curriculum are offered online. Onsite labs, as required for both AIT courses and the BTS courses which have a lab component, are conveniently offered for those who live far away and/or have work or other obligations.
Various options are available regarding how the student may complete the program courses and associated lab work. BTS program access options:
Traditional Access Option: Online instruction with MCC on-campus labs.
Ease-of-Access (EOA) Option 1: Online instruction with hospital-based medical equipment labs. The Electricity and Electronics courses are taken through a local college near where the student resides.
Ease-of-Access (EOA) Option 2: Online instruction with hospital-based medical equipment labs. The Electricity and Electronics courses are taken through MCC as traditionally scheduled.
Ease-of-Access (EOA) Option 3: Online instruction with hospital-based medical equipment labs. The Electricity and Electronics courses are taken through MCC with labs for the Electronics classes offered on the campus of MCC during the summer session.
Ease-of-Access (EOA) Customized Option: Online instruction with hospital-based medical equipment labs. The Electricity and Electronics courses are taken by way of integrating and combining various "approaches" of EOA Options 1-3.
With fewer than 70 educational programs of this type throughout the country and the only program of its type in the state of Kentucky, the BTS program at MCC offers students a unique training opportunity. The BTS program is one of the longest-running biomed programs in the country and has one of the most extensive curriculums of any 2-year biomed program. Students can earn an AAS degree, 9 certificates, and CABT certification, all within 2 years.
U.S. News and World Report included the HTM field in a recent list of the “15 Best Jobs You’ve Never Heard Of.” Referring to the job as a medical equipment repairer, the article ranked it 5th on the list and currently has it ranked 1st in a list of the Best Maintenance and Repair Jobs. According to U.S. News and World Report, the medical equipment repair field is expected to grow by 13%, or 8,800 new jobs, by 2032. It rated the career as above average for upward mobility and listed the average salary as $57,860 annually.
According to the “Best Jobs You’ve Never Heard Of” report, the growth in the field will be driven primarily by an aging population that will require more healthcare support and by doctors who are using more medical tests to make their diagnoses.
A significant factor in the greater demand for healthcare services is the aging population. As people age, they usually need more medical care. With the expected increase in the number of older adults and with people living longer, health professionals are prescribing more medical tests that use new, complex equipment. In addition, some medical facilities are increasingly purchasing refurbished medical equipment in order to save money. Medical equipment repairers will be needed to provide routine service to ensure the machines work properly.
What are my career choices?
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared for immediate employment as an entry-level healthcare technology management professional and may pursue employment with a number of employers including, but not limited to: hospitals, clinics, home health equipment companies, dialysis treatment centers, third-party medical equipment service providers, and medical equipment manufacturers.
What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?
Associate in Applied Science
Certificates
- Foundations in Biomedical Technology Networking Systems
- Certified Associate in Biomedical Technology Exam Preparation
- Foundational Preparation for the Radiographic Diagnostic Imaging Service and Support Technician
- Foundational Preparation for the Dialysis Systems Service and Support Technician
Transfer Options
Incoming Transfers
Students seeking to earn credit towards the specified technical classes (see list below) within the Biomedical Technology Systems program in which identical or equivalent classes were completed with a grade of "C" or better will only receive credit if coursework was taken within the last three years upon being admitted into the program. For technical classes completed beyond the three-year period, the student will be required to pass a competency exam in order to receive credit that will apply towards the associated program class.
Program classes for which the above situation applies to:
- AIT 1001 - Basic Electrical Knowledge
- AIT 1101 - Electrical Power Distribution
- BTS 120 - Essentials of Biomedical Electronics I
- BTS 125 - Essentials of Biomedical Electronics II
- CIT 111 - Computer Hardware and Software
- CIT 160 - Introduction to Networking Concepts
Outgoing Transfers
Students who complete the BTS program may apply their credits awarded towards various 4-year programs at a number of in-state universities. Some of these programs utilize an entirely on-line, distance-learning instructional format. Contact the BTS / HTM program coordinator for more information.
Online Assistance
MCC s online coursework is delivered through Blackboard. Our knowledgeable Help Desk is available to answer your questions about your online class. Contact the KCTCS Online Technical Help Desk at any time 24/7.
Length of Program
Most students will complete an AAS program in two years, provided they have the appropriate assessment scores and follow the suggested sequence of classes. General education classes, with the exception of any course prerequisites, may be taken along with curriculum classes.
NOTE: Non-local students living outside of Madisonville can now complete the BTS program within their locality with the cooperation of a hospital facility near where the student resides that is willing to provide lab support for the BTS program classes. This ease-of-access option brings the BTS program to the student regardless of where they reside, thus making program access easy.
Learn More About our Program Coordinator
Joey Jones
Biomedical Technology Systems
Program Coordinator
270.824.1759
joey.jones@kctcs.edu
- MS, Human Development & Leadership with emphasis in Adult Education, Murray State University
- BIS, Independent Studies, Murray State University
- AS, Vocational Technical Education, Murray State University
- AAS, Biomedical Equipment Technology (with high distinction), Madisonville Community College
- AS, Electronics Engineering Technology, Prestonsburg Community College
- Adult Education Certification, Western Kentucky University
- Madisonville Health Technology Center - Biomedical Equipment Technician Diploma
- Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) Certification
- Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) - Member
- Miami Valley Career Technology Center - Electrical Trades Program Diploma
- Over 29 Years of Teaching Experience
Accreditation
Madisonville Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees.
Admission Requirements
Each program applicant must fulfill the following requirements in order to be accepted into the program.
Must be cleared of any academic probation at time of admission.
Must complete an online learning tutorial or show evidence of successful completion of two or more online non-remedial type courses offered through an accredited institution in which a grade of "C" or better was awarded for each online course completed.
Must meet with the program coordinator and devise an academic plan and discuss career objectives; and must fulfill the general admission requirements for the program as set forth by Madisonville Community College.
Graduation Requirements
You will be eligible for graduation when you have completed your program with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. In addition, you must have a minimum of 24 hours taken in residence within KCTCS and 25% of the approved coursework must come from Madisonville Community College.
Job Placement Assistance
The Office of Career Services offers students, alumni, and members of the community free assistance in locating regional and local employment opportunities. We are available to assist employers by referring qualified candidates for full-time, part-time, temporary, and cooperative education positions. For more information, contact Brianna Crowley (brianna.crowley@kctcs.edu).
Tuition & Fees
Students enrolled in Madisonville Community College online courses are assessed in-state tuition & fees, regardless of their location.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
