Transcript class01-HTM Overview

An overview of
Healthcare
Technology
Management
or
Biomedical
Equipment
Technology
© D. J. McMahon 150505
Functions of HTM Techs:
> Maintain
> Repair
> Install
> Educate Users
> Interface with IT
> Support Purchasing
What kind of equipment ?
Monitors for
- ECG
- blood pressure
- O2 saturation
- etc
X-ray Units
Defibrillators
MRI Units
Heart-Lung pumps
Clinical Lab Devices
- Centrifuges
- Microscopes
- Blood Analyzers
- etc
Ventilators
Electrosurgical Units
Medical Lasers
Dialysis Machines
CT Scanners
Ultrasound
Major Divisions of HTM:
>
General Clinical Equipment
- monitoring devices, diagnostic equipment,
therapeutic devices, & assistive devices.
>
Imaging Equipment
- X-ray, CT scanners, fluoroscopes, ultrasound, MRI, etc.
>
Clinical Laboratory Equipment
- centrifuges, cell counters, microscopes, etc.
Where do they work ?
Where are they trained?
In the U.S., large majority train at 2-year colleges:
- ~ 45 schools currently in the U.S.
- most offer an AAS degree
Dept. of Defense: combined Armed Forces BMET school
- located at Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio, TX
Compensation:
Medical Equipment Technicians are paid
somewhat more than electronics technicians.
Compensation depends on many variables:
- experience
- factory training credentials
- region of the country
- type of employer
Continuing Education:
Equipment-specific training through
manufacturer service schools.
Current topics and reviews through
society meetings, journals, & webinars.
Specific training in imaging
technology or clinical lab equipment.
Negative Aspects of HTM:
- Consequences of Error
- potential for patient injury or death
- potential for delayed or cancelled treatment
- potential for equipment damage or loss
- Environmental Hazards
- infectious disease, chemicals, X-rays, etc.
- On-call Duty, Evening & Weekend Hours
Prerequisite Skills:
> Social Skills are essential:
Equipment techs deal with a wide variety of
medical personnel who differ in education,
ethnicity, and language skills.
> Communication Skills are essential:
Must have good writing and speaking
competencies .
HTM Course at North Seattle:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Basic Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Electronics (DC & AC, Analog, Digital, etc)
- Medical Equipment Technology
- Information Technology
- Externship
HTM Skills Exercises
at North Seattle:
Use recent medical devices and test equipment
Emphasis on
- Shop Skills: practice with hand tools, soldering, disassembly
- Performance Verification:
‘Preventive Maintenance’ of devices, electrical safety checks
- Troubleshooting: finding and repairing defects
Skills exercises are ~ 35% of the student’s grade
HTM Externship:
- Student is placed in the Clinical Engineering Dept
of a local hospital, or medical device manufacturer.
- Must get at least 220 hours of work experience.
- Must write logs of his/her experience each week.
- Required for graduation.
Online References
for the HTM Student:
- AAMI:
The Association for the Advancement of Medical
Instrumentation. (Washington DC)
www.aami.org/student
- 24x7 Magazine:
www.24x7mag.com
- TechNation Magazine:
1technation.com/
Certification :
CBET: Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician
CRES: Certified Radiological Equipment Specialist
CLES: Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist
> Administered thru AAMI
> Comprehensive exam + work experience
> Renewal every 3 years
> Valuable in hiring and promotion
Questions ?