Biomedical Internship 1

Course Description

ETS1943 – Biomedical Internship 1 is a supervised, work-based learning experience in which students are placed at approved healthcare facilities, hospitals, or medical equipment service companies to apply the technical knowledge and skills developed throughout the Biomedical Equipment Technician (BET) A.S. program. Under the joint supervision of a site-based clinical or biomedical engineering professional and a college faculty coordinator, students perform entry-level biomedical equipment technician tasks in a real healthcare technology management (HTM) environment. This course is offered within the Engineering Technologies > Specialty Engineering Technology taxonomy of the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) and is classified at the freshman/sophomore level (ETS prefix). A grade of "C" or higher is required for program completion.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply inspection, maintenance, and calibration procedures to a range of biomedical devices under site supervision.
• Demonstrate safe work practices consistent with healthcare facility policies, OSHA standards, and environment-of-care (EOC) requirements.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and repair of electronic, electromechanical, and software-controlled medical equipment.
• Communicate effectively with clinical staff, nurses, and physicians to identify equipment issues and convey technical findings in non-technical language.
• Complete and maintain accurate work-order documentation, equipment history records, and service logs consistent with site standards.
• Demonstrate professional conduct, punctuality, and workplace ethics appropriate to a healthcare setting.
• Apply basic software skills related to biomedical equipment technician tasks, including computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) entry.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the internship site and faculty coordinator, students may also:

• Assist with incoming inspection and acceptance testing of new medical devices.
• Participate in medical device networking and cybersecurity protocols at the facility, including network connectivity troubleshooting for networked devices.
• Support regulatory compliance activities such as Joint Commission equipment management plan requirements and preventive maintenance scheduling.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic pneumatics, fluidics, and mechanical principles as applied to biomedical equipment on site.
• Observe and assist with equipment lifecycle management activities, including decommissioning and recycling procedures.
• Engage in clinical staff education on proper equipment operation and operator error correction.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Orientation to the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Department — facility layout, chain of command, department policies, and safety protocols
• Work-Order Systems and Documentation — creating, processing, and closing work orders; service history recordkeeping; CMMS use
• Preventive Maintenance (PM) Procedures — scheduled inspections, electrical safety testing, and PM completion reporting
• Biomedical Equipment Identification and Inventory — tagging, asset management, and device classification
• Basic Troubleshooting in a Clinical Environment — systematic fault isolation, use of schematics and service manuals on the job
• Healthcare Facility Safety and Infection Control — hand hygiene, PPE, isolation precautions, and electrical safety
• Professional Communication and Customer Service — interaction with clinical staff, escalation procedures, and service follow-up
• Internship Journal and Progress Reporting — weekly logs, supervisor evaluations, and faculty check-ins

Optional Topics

• Medical Device Networking Basics — IP addressing, VLANs, and cybersecurity awareness for networked devices
• Imaging Equipment Familiarization — introductory exposure to diagnostic imaging systems (X-ray, ultrasound) depending on site
• Regulatory and Accreditation Awareness — Joint Commission, CMS, and FDA MDR reporting overview
• Vendor and OEM Interaction — observing field service engineer visits, parts ordering, and warranty processes
• Capital Equipment Planning Support — assisting with end-of-life assessments and replacement recommendations

Resources & Tools

• Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) — site-specific platforms such as TMS, Meditech Asset Management, or similar
• Electrical Safety Analyzers — e.g., Fluke ESA620, Rigel 288+
• Digital Multimeters and Oscilloscopes — for field diagnostics
• OEM Service Manuals and Technical Bulletins — provided by site or accessed through vendor portals
• AAMI Standards — particularly ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1 and AAMI TIR12 for medical electrical equipment safety
• Internship Learning Agreement / Site Supervisor Evaluation Forms — provided by the college's program coordinator
• FSCJ / Santa Fe College / SPC Program Handbooks — outlining site expectations, grading criteria, and professional conduct requirements

Career Pathways

Graduates who complete this internship, together with the full BET A.S. program, are prepared for entry-level positions in the following areas:

• Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) — in hospitals, health systems, and outpatient clinics
• Clinical Engineering Technician — supporting clinical engineers in large medical centers
• Field Service Engineer / OEM Technician — employed by medical device manufacturers and integrated service companies
• Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Specialist — contract maintenance and managed service organizations
• Medical Device Sales Support / Technical Support Representative — providing post-sale technical assistance
• Government / Public Health Agency Technician — maintaining equipment in VA hospitals or public health facilities

Typical employers include hospitals and health systems, medical device manufacturers, independent service organizations (ISOs), and government healthcare agencies. Employment of biomedical equipment technicians is a high-growth field in Florida and nationally.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This internship provides the beginning of the documented, supervised work experience required to eventually sit for the Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) examination administered by AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation). The CBET credential is the nationally recognized standard for BMETs and demonstrates competency across electromechanical devices, computers, networks, and software used in healthcare delivery. Completion of an accredited A.S. program combined with qualifying work experience (minimum two years full-time) makes graduates eligible to apply for CBET certification.

Program and Site Requirements

• Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in this course for program completion.
• Internship schedules are determined by the placement site; students must be prepared for variable shift hours.
• Many sites require criminal background checks, drug screening, immunization records (including Hepatitis B), and TB testing prior to beginning the placement.
• Students must possess sufficient physical ability, fine motor coordination, and communication skills to perform all site-based tasks safely and effectively.
• This course is not automatically transferable under the Florida SCNS guarantee; transferability is at the discretion of the receiving institution.