Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation (Biomedical Instrumentation II)

Course Description

Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation (ETS2438C) is the second course in a two-part biomedical instrumentation sequence within the Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) program. Building on foundational concepts introduced in ETS2436C, this course provides an in-depth study of complex medical devices and systems used in clinical and hospital settings. Students develop advanced skills in the inspection, installation, maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair of sophisticated biomedical instrumentation. The course integrates electronics theory, physiology, and healthcare technology management to prepare students for professional practice as Biomedical Equipment Technicians (BMETs) or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) specialists. Emphasis is placed on practical, hands-on laboratory experience with actual medical equipment.

This course is part of the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Biomedical Equipment Technician and is aligned with the national Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) certification standards established by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

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

• Identify, describe, and explain the operating principles of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic biomedical equipment systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and imaging devices.
• Perform systematic preventive maintenance (PM) procedures on complex biomedical equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications, The Joint Commission (TJC), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) standards.
• Apply advanced troubleshooting methodologies to diagnose and repair malfunctions in biomedical instrumentation using test equipment, service manuals, and diagnostic tools.
• Perform calibration and performance verification testing on biomedical devices to ensure accuracy and safe patient operation.
• Demonstrate compliance with electrical safety standards including NFPA 99, AAMI ES60601-1, and applicable OSHA requirements when servicing medical equipment.
• Interpret and apply technical service documentation, including schematics, wiring diagrams, and equipment service manuals.
• Communicate effectively with clinical staff, nurses, and physicians regarding equipment status, corrective actions, and proper device operation.
• Document equipment service activities accurately using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and work order processes.

Optional Learning Outcomes

Depending on institutional focus and available equipment, students may also:

• Analyze biosignal acquisition and processing concepts including ECG, EEG, and EMG waveform interpretation as applied to equipment diagnostics.
• Evaluate medical device cybersecurity and networking considerations for networked clinical systems and medical device integration.
• Apply principles of medical imaging technology, including radiography, ultrasound, and MRI, at the equipment technician level.
• Assess regulatory compliance requirements including FDA medical device classifications, 510(k) clearance concepts, and recall procedures.
• Participate in technology assessment and capital equipment life-cycle management activities relevant to clinical engineering departments.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Advanced Cardiovascular Equipment: Defibrillators, cardiac monitors, 12-lead ECG machines, hemodynamic monitoring systems, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and pacemakers — operation, PM, and repair.
• Respiratory and Ventilation Equipment: Mechanical ventilators, anesthesia delivery systems, pulse oximeters, capnographs, and spirometers — operation, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Infusion and Fluid Management Systems: Infusion pumps (syringe and volumetric), patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps, and IV management — safety testing and repair.
• Patient Monitoring Systems: Bedside monitors, central station monitoring, telemetry systems, and multi-parameter patient monitors — preventive maintenance and functional testing.
• Electrical Safety Testing: Leakage current measurement, ground resistance testing, and application of NFPA 99 and AAMI ES60601-1 standards using safety analyzers.
• Surgical and Electrosurgical Equipment: Electrosurgical units (ESUs), surgical lasers, surgical lighting systems — operation principles and safety testing.
• Sterilization and Disinfection Equipment: Autoclaves, ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilizers, and washer-disinfectors — operational verification and PM procedures.
• Laboratory and Diagnostic Equipment: Chemistry analyzers, hematology analyzers, and point-of-care testing (POCT) devices — calibration and maintenance.
• Preventive Maintenance Programs: Development and execution of PM schedules, risk-based maintenance strategies, and regulatory compliance documentation.
• Service Documentation and CMMS: Accurate work order generation, equipment history tracking, and use of computerized maintenance management systems.

Optional Topics

• Medical Imaging Equipment Overview: Introduction to X-ray, CT, ultrasound, and MRI equipment at a BMET technician level, including safety considerations (radiation safety, MRI zones).
• Medical Device Networking and Cybersecurity: HL7 and DICOM standards, medical device integration, and cybersecurity frameworks for connected medical equipment.
• Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Practices: Capital equipment planning, technology assessment, and life-cycle management in clinical engineering.
• Regulatory Environment: FDA device classifications, medical device recalls, adverse event reporting (MedWatch), and CMS Conditions of Participation.
• Emerging and Specialty Equipment: Robotics-assisted surgical systems, telemedicine devices, wearable patient monitoring technologies, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS).
• Renal and Dialysis Equipment: Hemodialysis machines — water quality requirements, alarm systems, and disinfection procedures.

Resources & Tools

• Test Equipment: Electrical safety analyzers (e.g., Fluke Biomedical ESA615), infusion pump analyzers, patient simulator/multi-parameter simulators, digital multimeters, and oscilloscopes.
• Standards & References: AAMI technical standards (ES60601-1, TIR12), NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code, The Joint Commission (TJC) Environment of Care standards, and ECRI Institute device guidance.
• Professional Organizations: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE), Florida Biomedical Society (FBS), and Bay Area Association for Advanced Medical Instrumentation (BAAMI).
• Certification Resources: AAMI CBET Exam Blueprint and study guides; ICC/AAMI HTM Certification preparation materials.
• Software Tools: Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) — e.g., Nuvolo, Medigate, or equivalent hospital-grade platforms for work order and equipment record management.
• Textbooks: Medical Instrumentation: Application and Design (Webster); AAMI published reference materials for BMET practice.

Career Pathways

Graduates who complete ETS2438C as part of the Biomedical Equipment Technician A.S. program are prepared for employment in a wide range of healthcare and medical technology settings, including:

• Hospital Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Departments: Performing maintenance, repair, and calibration of clinical equipment in acute care, ICU, OR, and other hospital departments.
• Independent Service Organizations (ISOs): Providing third-party equipment repair and maintenance services to healthcare facilities across multiple device categories.
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs): Working as Field Service Engineers (FSEs) for medical device companies such as GE Healthcare, Philips, Siemens Healthineers, and Medtronic.
• Integrated Health Systems and Managed Care Organizations: Supporting multi-facility HTM programs for health networks, HMOs, and regional hospital systems.
• Medical Device Companies: Roles in manufacturing quality control, device testing, and technical support.
• Government and Public Health Agencies: Equipment support roles within VA hospitals, military healthcare systems, and public health organizations.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course is a key component of preparation for the nationally recognized Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) examination, administered through the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) and supported by AAMI. The CBET credential is the primary professional certification for biomedical equipment technicians in the United States and is widely required or preferred by hospitals and healthcare organizations.

Students are strongly encouraged to join the Florida Biomedical Society (FBS) and regional chapters such as the Central Florida Biomedical Instrumentation Society (CFBIS) and the Bay Area Association for Advanced Medical Instrumentation (BAAMI) for networking, mentorship, and access to continuing education opportunities in the HTM field.

Program Note

ETS2438C is the capstone instrumentation course in the Biomedical Equipment Technician A.S. sequence. A minimum grade of C or higher is required for credit toward the A.S. degree. Students completing this program are prepared for entry into the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) profession and are encouraged to pursue field experience and internship opportunities with regional hospitals and medical device service organizations.