What Do Biomedical Engineers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Biomedical Engineers apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems. They also design and develop medical diagnostic and clinical instrumentation, equipment, and procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.

Other tasks include:

• Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
• Manage teams of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and using budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
• Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
• Teach biomedical engineering or disseminate knowledge about the field through writing or consulting.
• Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.

We asked Biomedical Engineers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Biomedical Engineers conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals. They manage teams of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and using budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.

A typical day for a Biomedical Engineer will also include:

• Design and develop medical diagnostic and clinical instrumentation, equipment, and procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
• Diagnose and interpret bioelectric data, using signal processing techniques.
• Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
• Design and deliver technology to assist people with disabilities.
• Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.

We asked some Biomedical Engineers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	53% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	42% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	63% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	16% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Biomedical Engineers also develop new applications for energy sources, such as using nuclear power for biomedical implants. They may also adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Biomedical Engineers Conduct training or in-services to educate clinicians and other personnel on proper use of equipment. They might also Teach biomedical engineering or disseminate knowledge about the field through writing or consulting.

In addition, they Advise and assist in the application of instrumentation in clinical environments.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.

To some Biomedical Engineers, it is also their responsibility to Install, adjust, maintain, repair, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Biomedical Engineer, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm

http://www.bmes.org/

http://www.embs.org/