Clinical Engineering

Job Description

Clinical Engineering Jobs involve the design, development and maintenance of medical equipment and instruments.

Clinical engineers design and work on the following types of equipment:

• Equipment that monitors for patients' heart rates and blood pressure
• Medical scanners and x-ray machines
• Replacement joints for patients
• Active medical implants
• Surgery equipment
• Medical research instruments

Working Conditions

Clinical engineers often find work opportunities in hospitals or university medical schools, where they design, build and test systems or devices for new medical techniques and biomedical clinical engineering. Work may also be in the rehabilitation field, designing and manufacturing aids such as wheelchairs. Clinical engineering jobs may involve travel, often overseas.

Clinical engineers require the following qualities:

• Engineering knowledge and skill
• Ability for problem solving
• Ability to keep up to date with scientific and medical research
• Communication skills
• Have an interest in electronic or mechanical engineering, and health and medical issues

Entrance Requirements

Generally the minimum requirement for beginning work as a clinical engineer is a degree in mechanical, electronic or electrical engineering from a recognized engineering school or university. Experienced clinical engineers can work towards chartered engineer status.

Clinical engineering careers can progress into senior management or take responsibility for a team of other clinical engineers and technicians.

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