ADD ADVICE TO FAVBiomedical engineer
What biomedical engineers do
If working in hospitals, they:
- liaise with consultants and surgeons about patients’ needs
- work with patients, analyse their problems and decide which engineered products might improve their situation
- design and make implants, callipers and other medical equipment.
If working for medical-equipment manufacturers, they:
- liaise with medical staff about requirements
- design and develop novel medical products
- set up trials with volunteer patients
- analyse results and finalise products
- manage production and testing processes.
Key skills
- careful measurement and analysis skills
- attention to detail
- design skills and the ability to turn designs into products
- consideration for and empathy with patients, who may be in great pain
- excellent verbal communication with patients, medical staff, other engineers and the marketing team.
Training to be a biomedical engineer
The NHS offers a two-year training scheme which includes study for a master’s and attachments to different medical teams. The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine also runs a professional development scheme.
Salaries
Salaries for trainees are typically around £20,000. After training, salaries can rise to around £40,000 with several years’ experience.
