Biomedical Engineer

To be a successful Biomedical Engineer you should…

• have a strong aptitude for math and science
• have logical and analytical thinking skills as well as creativity and inventiveness
• have concern for and commitment to health care
• have the ability to make good decisions
• be patient and persevering
• desire to work with all types of people and as a team member
• have good listening skills and have the ability to communicate clearly

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What will my job be like?

A biomedical engineer uses traditional engineering expertise to analyze and solve problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement of health care. Students choose the biomedical engineering field to be of service to people, to partake of the excitement of working with living systems, and to apply advanced technology to the complex problems of medical care. The biomedical engineer works with other health care professionals including physicians, nurses, therapists, and technicians. Biomedical engineers may be called upon in a wide range of capacities: to design instruments, devices, and software; to bring together knowledge from many technical sources to develop new procedures; or to conduct research needed to solve clinical problems.

A biomedical engineer may specialize in any of the following:

• Bioinstrumentation
• Biomaterials
• Biomechanics
• Clinical Engineering, computers, imaging
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Systems Physiology
• Telemedicine
• Teleradiology

Where could I work?

Biomedical engineers are employed in universities, hospitals, and the research facilities of educational and medical institutions. Biomedical engineers may work alone or as part of a team along with other engineers; medical and administrative personnel; and life, social, and physical scientists.

Other workplace settings:

• Government Regulatory Agencies
• Industry
• Undersea and Space Programs

What is the average annual salary?

$101,200

What is the future of this career?

Employment of biomedical engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Increasing numbers of technologies and applications to medical equipment and devices, along with the medical needs of a growing aging population, will require the services of biomedical engineers.

What type of education and/or training do I need?

Most biomedical engineers hold bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering; however others choose mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering with a specialty in biomedical engineering. A master’s or doctoral degree is often required.

Where can I get the education and/or training?

• Fairfield University, Fairfield
• Gateway Community College, New Haven
• Trinity College, Hartford
• University of Connecticut, Storrs
• Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven

Do I need a license or certification for this career?

Licensure is not required in the state of Connecticut.

Where can I get more information?