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Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers Occupation Detailed Description

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

The main tasks and work activities of Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers are to evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems, advise customers on the use of products or services, research engineering aspects of biological or chemical processes, create models of engineering designs or methods. In general, for the Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers, critical Thinking, active Listening, reading Comprehension, judgment and Decision Making and other 17 skills are required.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related ExperienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
ExampleMany of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
100.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

  • Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
  • Advise hospital administrators on the planning, acquisition, and use of medical equipment.
  • Advise and assist in the application of instrumentation in clinical environments.
  • Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.
  • Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
  • Design and develop medical diagnostic and clinical instrumentation, equipment, and procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
  • Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
  • Teach biomedical engineering or disseminate knowledge about the field through writing or consulting.
  • Design and deliver technology to assist people with disabilities.
  • Diagnose and interpret bioelectric data, using signal processing techniques.
  • Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
  • Analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes.
  • Develop new applications for energy sources, such as using nuclear power for biomedical implants.
  • Install, adjust, maintain, repair, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment.
  • Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
  • Conduct training or in-services to educate clinicians and other personnel on proper use of equipment.
  • Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.
  • Manage teams of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and using budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
  • Conduct preventative maintenance on equipment.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationEstimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
  • Advise customers on the use of products or services.
  • Research engineering aspects of biological or chemical processes.
  • Create models of engineering designs or methods.
  • Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
  • Interpret design or operational test results.
  • Develop software or computer applications.
  • Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
  • Design alternative energy systems.
  • Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.
  • Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
  • Maintain operational records or records systems.
  • Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
  • Prepare procedural documents.
  • Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

Skills and Abilities for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operations AnalysisAnalyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Technology DesignGenerating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Management of Personnel ResourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Medical magnetic resonance imaging MRI scannerse.g. 3T scanners
  • Accelerometerse.g. Accelerometers
  • Acoustic sensorse.g. Acoustic measurement systems
  • Modulatorse.g. Acousto-optic modulators
  • Physiological recorderse.g. Activity monitoring devices
  • Thickness measuring devicese.g. Anthropometers
  • Wave generatorse.g. Arbitrary waveform generators
  • Physiological recorderse.g. Axial-torsional testing systems
  • Bacteria transformation kitse.g. Bacteria-based biosensors
  • Microcontrollerse.g. Basic stamp microcontrollers
  • Biometric identification equipmente.g. Bio-sensors
  • Amplifierse.g. Bio-signal amplifiers
  • Frequency calibrator or simulatore.g. Bio-signal simulators
  • Medical magnetic resonance imaging MRI scannerse.g. Biomagnetic imaging scanners
  • Electrometerse.g. Biomedical device electrical safety testers
  • Robot machinese.g. Biomimetic robots
  • Tissue culture incubatorse.g. Bioreactors
  • HEPA filtered enclosurese.g. Biosafety cabinets
  • Fatigue testerse.g. Cardiovascular prosthetic device testers
  • Benchtop centrifugese.g. Centrifuges
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • BiologyKnowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • PhysicsKnowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.