Biomedical Equipment Technology
The use of high-tech, sophisticated equipment in the U.S. healthcare industry is evolving and expanding at an exponential pace. The need for highly skilled and well-trained technicians to maintain such equipment is growing just as quickly. The Biomedical Equipment Technology program at Central Piedmont will help meet a specific and specialized workforce development need in Mecklenburg County and beyond.
What You Will Learn
The biomedical equipment technology curriculum will prepare you for employment as a biomedical equipment technician. As a technician, you will maintain sophisticated, always-advancing medical devices and equipment used in the healthcare delivery system. Maintenance will involve installation, calibration, and repair accompanied by documentation. Instruction will provide needed theory of operation that is reinforced practically to ensure understanding of medical devices. You will learn basic engineering principles and technical skills to install, operate, troubleshoot, and repair sophisticated devices and instrumentation used in healthcare facilities as well as about instrument calibration, design, and installation testing, system safety and maintenance procedures, procurement and installation procedures, and report preparation. Coursework includes foundations in electronics, networking, security, anatomy, medical terminology, biomedical instrumentation, imaging technology, biomedical troubleshooting, and culminates with applicable work-based learning experience. Emphasis is placed on developing and enhancing your ability to solve technical problems for medical devices and equipment in varying conditions and environments.
With an Associates of Applied Science in biomedical equipment technology and two years of industrial experience, you will be able to be certified as a biomedical equipment technician.
Why Choose Central Piedmont
Our learning environments are home to the industry's latest equipment and software, as well as quality instructors who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This powerful combination of traditional teaching and hands-on learning prepares our students for employment in today's 21st century workforce.
Our biomedical equipment technology program is supported by a generous gift from Novant Health. According to the U.S. Depart of Labor, the demand for biomedical equipment technicians is expected to grow 30 percent through 2022. Locally, Novant Health has confirmed these projections and indicated difficulty in hiring qualified technicians. Central Piedmont's biomedical equipment technology program will meet the needs of Novant Health and growth in the healthcare industry. Our program includes hands-on learning via a significant amount of workplace learning, will create a specialized pathway to employment in the healthcare industry, and provides opportunities for advancement for current technicians looking to gain additional training and certification.
Real World Education
At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.
Apprenticeships
Central Piedmont offers apprenticeships with local business partners. With Apprenticeship 2000, you will have the opportunity to:
- gain 6400 hours of learning manufacturing skills
- gain 1600 hours of college education
- earn while learning
- get free college and a paycheck
- earn a Journeyman Certificate by the Department of Labor (Commerce)
- experience dual training - academics in college/hands on at company
- earn a scholarship for additional college for bachelor's of arts (differences per company)
- secure guaranteed employment after graduation
Biomedical Equipment Technician Careers and Average Salary
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the demand for biomedical equipment technicians is expected to grow 30 percent through 2022. Locally, Novant Health has confirmed these projections and indicated difficulty in hiring qualified technicians. Our program creates a specialized pathway to employment in the healthcare industry, and will provide opportunities for advancement for current technicians looking to gain additional training and certification. Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach for detailed biomedical equipment technology career opportunities, salary information, and job openings.
Career CoachThe Details
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Program Options
Earn an Associate in Applied science or a specialized certificate in biomedical equipment technology. The college catalog details the biomedical equipment technology program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements currently available at Central Piedmont. If you would like information on opportunities to transfer associate degree credit to a four-year institution, please visit the Transfer Resource Center.
Visiting Students
If you wish to transfer biomedical equipment technology course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.
Continuing Education
Central Piedmont's continuing education provides non-degree courses and programs, including job skills, industry-focused career training, certificates, certifications, professional licensure, and personal enrichment. Day, evening, weekend, and online opportunities are available.
College and Career Readiness
If you are looking for programs to gain the knowledge or skills necessary to finish a high school degree or to get a job, visit Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness.
College Credit for High School Students
Visit Career and College Promise to learn about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit at Central Piedmont.
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Biomedical Equipment Technology Program Requirements
For detailed information on biomedical equipment technology program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements, visit the Central Piedmont Community College catalog.
Contact your advisor for help planning your courses.
Work-Based Learning
The associate degree requires the completion of two work-based learning (WBL) courses. During WBL, instead of attending a class on campus, you work with an employer to gain experience directly related to your intended field and program of study. Work-based learning experiences may or may not be paid. Job placement protocol is program-dependent. You will work collaboratively with the work-based learning coordinator and program faculty to find and secure a WBL site. Once confirmed by the coordinator, you will complete documentation per the specific healthcare facility’s application requirements (e.g. Novant, etc.). Completed application materials will be submitted to the coordinator before the deadline, after which the coordinator will send materials directly to the healthcare facility. Note that summer work-based learning experiences may be limited or not offered by the department. It is recommended that you submit all required WBL paperwork prior to the beginning of the semester.
To enroll in the first WBL, you must meet the following eligibility requirements prior to placement:
- maintain a minimum 2.0 program GPA
- be recommended for placement by faculty in the biomedical equipment technology program
To enroll in the second WBL, you must meet the following eligibility requirements prior to placement:
- be completing the final set of BMT courses, including BMT 213, BMT 225, and BMT 112 during the first half of the term (fall or spring semesters)
- maintain a minimum 2.0 program GPA
- have completed a minimum of 66 credits (with only SEC 110, WBL 122 and WBL 125 remaining) within the BMT degree program before a student can be eligible to participate and receive credit.
- have satisfactorily completed (with a “C” or better) BMT 111, BMT 120, BMT 212, BMT 223, BMT 213, BMT 225, BMT 112
- be recommended for placement by faculty in the biomedical equipment technology program
Required Work-based Learning Application Documents
The work-based learning application form, faculty approval form, and student placement sheet is available on the work-based learning site. In addition, you will need to complete the following documents:
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Locations and Course Delivery Methods
Classes for the biomedical equipment technology program are delivered in several ways:
- In-person classes and labs are held on the Central Campus.
- combined (classroom/lab and online)
Courses available and their schedules can change each semester. Check the biomedical equipment technology program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements each semester.
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Career Coach
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Costs and Aid
Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont . Financial aid and scholarships are available.
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Related Programs
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Admitted Students: Find Your Advisor
If you are currently enrolled and taking classes, log in to MyConnect to find your assigned academic advisor.
If you do not have an advisor, you can:
- visit the advising office at the campus nearest you, or
- send an email to the advising office