Biomedical Equipment

What does the Biomedical Equipment career field do?

Installs, inspects, repairs, and modifies biomedical equipment and support systems. Performs pre-purchase evaluations of medical devices and advises on operational theory, underlying physiological principles, and safe clinical applications of biomedical equipment. Implements organizational maintenance support for all medical devices used within the medical treatment facility (MTF), medical research laboratories, air transportable hospitals and clinics, and contingency hospitals. Provides technical guidance and intermediate maintenance support on medical equipment systems when assigned with regional support maintenance responsibilities. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 132600.

Duties and responsibilities

• Assembles, installs, and inspects new biomedical equipment. Assembles equipment and conducts pre-operational tests to verify compliance with medical and technical standards, specifications, contracts, and regulatory guidance. Installs or coordinates the installation of medical equipment that requires interface with other devices or with the facility. Resolves installation and associated maintenance support problems. Performs formal acceptance testing of complex medical equipment and installations such as diagnostic radiology systems and physiological monitoring systems. Performs pre-procurement surveys and provides technical advice regarding the purchase of new biomedical equipment systems and the required facility interface requirements.
• Inspects, services, and modifies biomedical equipment and support systems. Inspects biomedical equipment systems to determine operational status and compliance with technical standards and specifications. Performs or supervises preventive maintenance tasks such as lubrication; mechanical adjustment; and replacement of filters, tubing, and other parts subject to deterioration. Evaluates user maintenance procedures and ensures safe medical equipment practices are exercised. Instructs and advises personnel in the care and safe, effective use of medical equipment. Calibrates medical equipment according to manufacturers' technical literature, pertinent federal regulations, national standards, state and local laws, and Air Force guidance. Applies electrical, electronic, optical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and physiological principles to diagnose and locate system malfunctions. Uses test equipment, technical data, engineering drawings, schematics, and reference materials for troubleshooting and repair of medical equipment. Performs authorized modifications to biomedical equipment.
• Performs safety inspections. Inspects and tests medical and patient-related non-medical equipment for compliance with current safety standards. Inspects and tests supporting utility systems and specialized environment control systems of the medical facility for compliance with electrical and patient safety codes and standards. Identifies deficient equipment, initiates corrective action, and informs personnel of possible safety hazards.
• Performs maintenance management and administrative functions. Develops and directs methods and procedures to be used in the maintenance activity. Determines the type, extent, and feasibility of repairs; and implements repair or condemnation procedures. Performs tasks relating to collecting and recording historical maintenance data. Quality controls reports to ensure accuracy of bench stock balance records and historical maintenance records (HMRs). Revises preventive maintenance and calibration cycles based on Air Force regulations, manufacturers' literature, and local conditions. Administers the medical equipment warranty and guarantee program. Develops statements of work (SOWs) and manages the medical equipment contract maintenance program. Ensures availability and control of spare parts, test equipment, and tools.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: physiology; electrical, electronic, mechanical, optical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and radiation principles that apply to biomedical equipment systems; using and interpreting national safety and accrediting standards, blueprints, and Air Force publications; equipment systems application in medicine; and medical safety procedures.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency with courses in algebra, trigonometry, mechanics, mechanical theory, general sciences, anatomy, or biology is desirable.

Training. For award of AFSC 4A231, completion of the basic biomedical equipment maintenance course is mandatory.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 4A251. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4A231. Also, experience in functions such as installing, inspecting, calibrating, modifying, and repairing biomedical equipment support systems.
• 4A271. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4A251. Also, experience supervising functions such as installing, calibrating, repairing, or modifying biomedical equipment systems.
• 4A291. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4A271. Also, experience managing functions such as installing, calibrating, repairing, or modifying biomedical equipment systems.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• Normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• A minimum age of 18 years prior to entry into technical training.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $38,800–$92,620 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers: $92,620
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Medical Equipment Preparers: $38,800
• Medical Equipment Repairers: $51,610