Biomedical engineer
Biomedical engineers apply engineering principles and materials technology to healthcare. This can include researching, designing and developing medical products, such as joint replacements or robotic surgical instruments, designing or modifying equipment for clients with special needs in a rehabilitation setting, or managing the use of clinical equipment in hospitals and the community.
Biomedical engineers can be employed by health services, medical equipment manufacturers and research departments/institutes.
Job titles can vary depending on the exact nature of the work. As well as biomedical engineer you are likely to come across bioengineer, design engineer and clinical scientist (in a hospital setting/clinical situation).
Work activities vary, depending on where you work and the seniority of the post, but typically involve:
Relevant degree subject areas include physical/mathematical/applied science, life and medical sciences, and engineering. A degree in the following subjects will increase your chances:
A good honours degree is essential for achieving professional recognition either as a chartered engineer (CEng) or as a state registered clinical scientist (for clinical engineer posts in The National Health Service (NHS) ). If pursuing a career in the NHS, the most common route is by applying to be a trainee clinical scientist or engineer. The training involves two years of in-service training, which incorporates an accredited postgraduate degree and leads to the DipIPEM(S) (Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine Diploma).
Engineering degrees must also be accredited by the appropriate engineering body for CEng status, normally either Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) , the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) or the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) . If your degree is not accredited it will mean taking further exams at a later stage in order to become chartered.
Entry is not possible with an HND only. However, if you have A-levels in life sciences, there is the option of training as a trainee biomedical technologist in the NHS.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification in biomedical engineering is desirable, aiding entry into research and development. This would also improve the prospects of non-engineering graduates, or further show the commitment of those with a relevant first degree. Many MSc courses have opportunities for work experience in the field, which could be valuable. An MSc will not, however, reduce the number of years required to qualify as a clinical scientist.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
Relevant work experience in the form of vacation work or a placement year is very helpful in getting a first job and making contacts. Voluntary or paid work with children or adults with disabilities can make you aware of the need for products, such as specially adapted wheelchairs. Engineering students are encouraged to volunteer locally for Remap , a charity seeking to design or modify equipment for individuals with specific needs. Previous experience in project management, quality or design would also be useful.
As of 2011, in England and Wales, a new graduate entry Scientist Training Programme (STP) replaced the previous Clinical Scientist Training Scheme. The recruitment for the healthcare scientist training positions takes place early in the year for the September intake. Recruitment usually begins in February, with a closing date in mid-March.
NHS Trusts will offer 200 training posts in life sciences, physics and engineering and physiological sciences. Successful candidates will join a three-year training programme of workplace-based learning and a Masters degree in their specialist subject.
There is a single timetable for recruitment as well as national guidelines and assessment centres to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and equally. Candidates can apply for the training posts at the NHS Jobs website while the selection process is organised by local trusts.
Details of all training posts are available on NHS Jobs and will be advertised in the New Scientist . Further details of the scheme and a list of all the job roles are available on the NHS Healthcare Scientist Training Programme (STP) page on the NHS Careers website.
Scotland is also adopting the new training programme but will still be recruiting by specialist subject, rather than on a national basis for the time being. Training will be provided by individual NHS boards. Details of each training scheme can be found at Clinical Scientist Pre-Registration Training Schemes Scotland and can also be found in the New Scientist .
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
There are two distinct training routes within the profession: one leading to qualification as a state registered clinical scientist and the other to becoming a chartered engineer (CEng). For entrants with an accredited engineering degree and working in the health service, it is possible to pursue both avenues concurrently, or to opt for state registration alone, which is now required within The National Health Service (NHS) .
NHS trainees follow a structured training programme consisting of two years' MSc and diploma study, interspersed with in-service placements. This is followed by two years in-post working in a position of responsibility while being supervised and mentored. On successful completion of an MSc, a diploma is awarded by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) . Following two years of further training at a higher level, and acceptance of a portfolio of evidence by the Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS) , graduates apply to the Health Professions Council (HPC) for state registration. This is a guarantee of competence to practise.
Graduates working in the private sector without direct patient contact are most likely to follow the CEng route, which takes at least four years. Achieving corporate membership of your chosen institution is the first step, accompanied by a professional review of your experience to date. Success leads to professional registration with the Engineering Council . Most institutions expect their members to pursue a programme of continuing professional development (CPD). For some institutions this will be one of the requirements of registration.
There are three main career directions for a biomedical engineer:
If you choose to go into research, your career path will typically involve a PhD in biomedical engineering, followed by a role at a university or academic institute as a lecturer and/or researcher.
Working in industry generally involves going into a job after your degree and working towards becoming a chartered engineer (CEng). Senior posts may offer roles in management, research, technical advice, quality assurance, production or marketing. There may be scope for international work if a company has branches outside the UK.
A career path in the NHS has a clearer structure in the early years after graduation. The main bottleneck occurs as graduates compete for a small number of pre-registration clinical scientist training posts. Beyond this point, competition for higher posts is likely to be less intense, though a willingness to relocate is important. Progression to state registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC) is the next step, or possibly a post in a research unit.
The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) runs a four-year Programme of Advanced Training and Responsibility (PATR), which incorporates preparation for state registration (after two years) and culminates in corporate membership (MIPEM) and CEng application (where appropriate).
Career prospects are reasonable, as there is a slight shortage of suitably qualified and experienced applicants. Movement between hospital-based jobs and the healthcare industry to gain wider experience is possible in either direction, bearing in mind the requirement for NHS engineers to obtain state registration.
Beyond this, you could expect to manage a department (e.g. in a hospital trust) with responsibility for medical equipment and technical staff across a regional area. Engineers at this level have status equivalent to medical consultants.
Biomedical engineers have the opportunity to specialise in areas such as biomechanics, biomaterials, medical instrumentation or rehabilitation. Some engineers pursue PhDs or obtain fellowships with their professional body.
Employers include hospital trusts, medical equipment manufacturers, university research departments, other research units and rehabilitation or health charities.
Hospitals employ engineers to oversee the deployment, maintenance and safety of high-tech equipment of all kinds used in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Some equipment is dispersed around GP surgeries and patients’ homes. Rehabilitation units exist in larger hospitals, where engineers play an important role in providing customised solutions to patients’ needs for prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and a range of assistive technology.
Other employers include research organisations. Well-known research units include Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) and Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB) . The Medical Engineering Resource Unit (MERU) designs and produces bespoke devices for individual children with disabilities, where no commercial alternatives exist.
In the private sector, there is a need for engineers in companies that research and manufacture medical products, such as artificial heart valves, replacement joints and monitoring equipment. Some private sector manufacturers operate internationally and may offer scope to work in Europe and beyond.
Hospital trusts generally advertise on their own websites as well as in the press. For opportunities in the commercial healthcare field, you should research employers using contacts, directories and journals. If you are currently studying engineering or a relevant degree, look for opportunities in the information resources of your careers service.
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