THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS

Everyone know about doctors, nurses, carpenters, electricians, and auto mechanics, just to name a few. However, the occupation and profession of biomedical equipment technician is not as well-known and is often overlooked. Biomedical equipment technicians are a critical component to the delivery of safe and effective healthcare. They are employed by hospitals, clinics, home medical equipment companies, medical equipment manufacturers, dialysis centers, and many other healthcare service providers. Biomedical equipment technicians are responsible for the repair, maintenance, and management of all types of medical devices, equipment, and systems. They are often behind the scenes in the overall care given to patients by making sure that the medical technology is safe and reliable.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, as compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics - U.S. Department of Labor, the occupation of medical equipment repairers or biomedical equipment technicians as they are typically called is projected to grow 30 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Greater demand for healthcare services and the use of increasingly complex medical equipment will drive employment growth. Those who have an associate s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering should have the best job opportunities.

Madisonville Community College has the only public program in the state of Kentucky designed to train biomedical equipment technicians. The program offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Biomedical Technology Systems (BTS) and has been designed to be accessible through online instruction coupled with limited onsite lab time. Student are only required to be on campus one day a week. The program includes six embedded certificates that give attention to the information technology side of the profession which increases the diversity of knowledge and skills needed by today s biomedical equipment technician.

For more information about Madisonville Community College s BTS program, please contact Joey Jones at 270-824-1759 or e-mail at joey.jones@kctcs.edu.