BMET RESOURCE FILE
25 Things Every Biomed Should Know
Chris Poulsen
C
linicians rely on biomeds to be a key resource for
resolving technical problems that occur during
the diagnosis and treatment of patients. We are
tasked with delivering solutions every day, in situations
that are usually complex, often change rapidly, and are
always demanding when it comes to quality, safety, and
economy. A high-performing biomed provides more than
maintenance services—he or she is a valuable partner in
delivering a quality healthcare experience.
When you think of the skills a biomed should possess,
you may first think of competence in electronics, me-
chanics, and specific healthcare technologies. However,
other competencies are essential to performing the job
well. Possessing these skills and practicing them regu-
larly not only allows you to maintain a reputation as a top
performer, but also helps you realize the most satisfaction
and enjoyment you can throughout your career.
While this list is certainly not comprehensive, it is a
collection of knowledge and know-how that covers the
practical, technical, and business domains. It is based on
my 25 years of experience as a biomed, as well as lively
discussions with other biomeds and healthcare technol-
ogy professionals on what we must master to deliver the
highest standards of excellence in healthcare technology
services. Items marked with an arrow have additional re-
sources listed in “Build Your Skills.”
The Practical Skills
1. Rapidly learn and apply new skills. This may seem
obvious, but a biomed encounters daily challenges that
require on-the-spot training and education. The ability
to quickly absorb new information and apply it to the
task at hand is essential to top performance.
2. Be self-reliant. I have worked alongside a number of
biomeds who have the ability to resolve practically any
problem without difficulty and meet challenges head on,
regardless of their familiarity with the equipment. Using
what you know, who you know, and what you’ve learned
in the past to tackle complex challenges allows you to
Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology 381
build a base of knowledge that helps you resolve prob-
lems independently and accurately.
3. Be a team player. Just as being able to work indepen-
dently is an essential skill, so is being able to work within
a group. Whether it is other biomeds of varying skills,
clinicians, or corporate personnel, listening actively, shar-
ing knowledge, and working together to resolve issues is
essential to keeping the business of healthcare delivery
running smoothly.
4. Communicate effectively. For many biomeds, lack of
clarity in communication is a defense mechanism against
giving a clinician bad news about a repair. If speaking in-
distinctly is a habit that you have developed, practice your
message in front of a mirror. If possible, share what you
wish to convey with people you feel comfortable with.
This will help you better develop the message in your
mind. Remember to be confident—you are the expert!
5. Get (and stay) organized. For many biomeds, it
can be exceedingly difficult to get (and, more impor-
tantly, stay) organized. Keeping a well-ordered shop,
from tools to paperwork, may seem overwhelming and
time consuming. The best advice is to make organizing
your work area a regular and consistent part of your day.
It is a classic scenario of “some pain now” versus “much
pain later.” Set up drawers, bins, and boxes for work
tools, spare parts, and other materials for repairs. Create
a simple, easy-to-remember filing system for maintain-
ing documentation, filing reports, retaining invoices, and
saving important internal and external communications.
Once you have completed your setup, you may only need
to spend a few minutes each day putting everything in
its intended place. Believe me, the small amount of time
invested will pay off when it’s time to prepare for Joint
Commission visits and other safety and financial audits!
6. Know how to find and share information. A
competent biomed knows that he or she cannot have all of
 BMET RESOURCE FILE
25 Things Every Biomed Should Know
the answers all of the time. That’s where the power of the
professional network becomes essential, and the Rolodex
becomes your best friend. Reach out and get to know peo-
ple in your industry via professional organizations, online
communities, and trade publications. Do not be afraid to
ask for help when needed, and do not hesitate to provide
insight when you are able. By sharing information and
making use of the knowledge of everyone in the industry,
we become more effective and respected professionals.
The Technical Skills
7. Troubleshoot effectively. Troubleshooting is a
method of problem solving that involves a systematic
process of eliminating possible causes to determine the
root cause of a device or system malfunction. A biomed
must be able to apply the following basic troubleshooting
principles in a logical manner:
• Discuss the malfunction with the end user and
capture the particular surroundings associated
with the incident.
• Reproduce the malfunction.
• Compare the malfunction with others from your
past experiences.
• Rule out possible end-user errors.
• Compare existing state with expected operation.
• Note the environment and any relevant changes.
8. Understand Ohm’s Law. Ohm’s Law is the corner-
stone theory of electronics and electricity. These formulas
are very easy to learn and are used extensively throughout
biomed tutorials. Without a thorough understanding of
Ohm’s Law, you will not get very far in understanding or
troubleshooting even basic electrical circuits. Ohm’s Law
defines the relationship between power, voltage, current,
and resistance.
9.  Understand electrical safety. Many biomeds
diligently perform electrical safety testing on a regular
basis, but do not truly understand why it’s done or the
theory behind electrical leakage. It’s important that we
understand the reasoning behind what for most of us is a
large portion of our responsibilities.
10. Know how to solder. While it may no longer be
necessary to keep a hot soldering iron on your workbench
at all times, it’s important to know how to properly solder
when the need arises. Most biomed shops have an abun-
dance of defective circuit boards on which to practice.
382 September/October 2008
11. Wire hospital-grade AC plugs. This very basic
skill is often overlooked, though it is assumed even an
entry-level technician will have it. While it is becoming
more common to replace entire line cords, the ability to
rewire a plug properly is critical.
12. Work with basic computers and networking
technology. Biomedical technology is becoming more
computer oriented. Many new biomeds are more confi-
dent resolving a major network issue than they would be
repairing an aspirator. Try to understand operating sys-
tems and network topographies, especially those specific
to equipment you are responsible for.
13. Troubleshoot automated blood pressure ma-
chines. Automated blood pressure machines are often
falsely accused of being inaccurate. It is important to
understand how cuff size and location relate to readings.
14. Use a multimeter. A multimeter is one of the most
versatile and useful instruments in a biomed’s toolkit. A
multimeter is actually three devices in one: a voltmeter
that measures electrical potential across a device in volts,
an ammeter that measures the amount of electric current
through a device, and an ohmmeter that measures the
electrical resistance of a device. Multimeters may also
have other functions, such as diode and continuity tests.
A common mistake when using a multimeter is to forget
to move the test leads to the proper jacks when switching
between current measurements and voltage or resistance
measurements.
15. Read a schematic diagram. Reading a schematic
requires knowing what the symbols mean, what the rep-
resented components do, and how they are annotated.
There are literally hundreds of symbols, and even basic
electronic components will have multiple variations.
When first learning to read schematics, it’s best to look at
older equipment that will likely have simpler schematics
than more complicated, modern devices. The real fun
comes when a biomed has to interpret schematics written
in another language.
16. Understand basic diagnostic imaging technol-
ogy. Many biomeds are given the opportunity to receive
training in diagnostic imaging equipment, such as mag-
netic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography
(CT), positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound,

and x-ray. Servicing this equipment may become a regular
responsibility with some biomeds choosing to specialize in
diagnostic imaging full time. Even if you rarely service this
equipment, becoming familiar with the technologies will
provide several advantages. First, it gives you an advantage
over people who are looking to enter the field. Second, of-
fering yourself as a professional in conventional biomed as
well as imaging may be an attractive economic incentive. If
possible, find a mentor who is currently servicing imaging
equipment and observe what they do. It’s more than likely
they will appreciate the help.
 17.  Know  and  use  Ein-
thoven’s Triangle. This is some-
thing every biomed should know
by heart! Einthoven’s Triangle is
a representation of an equilateral
triangle with the heart at its center
and each line representing one
of the three standard limb leads
of the electrocardiogram (EKG).
The corners of the triangle rep-
resent RA (right arm), LA (left arm), and LL (left leg).
These bipolar leads use a single positive and a single
negative electrode between which electrical potentials
are measured and amplified into an EKG trace. When
problems arise, a biomed can quickly identify which lead
is being problematic if they can memorize the following
mnemonic:
Lead I=Left Arm/Right Arm (contains 1 L)
Lead II=Left Leg/Right Arm (contains 2 Ls)
Lead III=Left Arm/Left Leg (contains 3 Ls)
18. Understand medical batteries and charging
systems. Battery failures account for a large percentage
of equipment failures and many critical devices such as
defibrillators and portable monitors rely on battery pow-
er. Not only can a faulty battery fail to supply power to
a device, but it can overheat, swell, and leak electrolytes,
resulting in severe damage to a device. A biomed must
understand when a device requires a battery change or
reconditioning. It is also important to be aware of vari-
ous battery chemistries and charging systems and their
impact on battery longevity.
19. Understand NFPA 99. NFPA 99 is the National
Fire Protection Association standard that recommends
the minimum safety requirements needed to reduce the
Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology 383
BMET RESOURCE FILE
Chris Poulsen
risk of fire, explosion, and electrical shock in healthcare
facilities. While there isn’t a federal law that mandates
compliance with the standard, individual states or local
jurisdictions may adopt all or parts of NFPA 99. If this is
the case in your area, then the parts of NFPA 99 that state
or local jurisdictions have adopted must be adhered to.
20. Get the most out of technical training. Most of
us have short attention spans and may not retain much
of what we learn from technical classes. The best way to
counteract this is to pass along what you have learned to
another technician as soon as you return from training.
The Business Skills
21. Obtain loaner equipment.
Eventually the day will come
where even the best biomed will
be unable to repair a critical de-
vice, and a loaner device will be
needed. It’s important to know
what resources are available to
you and to use them sensibly. En-
sure that strong relationships are maintained with biomed
departments in other local hospitals and with equipment
manufacturers. It’s important to maintain a relationship
not only with a manufacturer’s service department, but
also with the sales department. Salespeople frequently
have access to demo equipment that you could borrow
in a pinch.
22. Call for technical support. This concept is decep-
tively simple. With many manufacturers now charging
for technical support, it’s important to make sure every
call counts. Have a good understanding of a problem
before calling and, if possible, have a model number, se-
rial number, and manual at hand before picking up the
phone. Try to listen and not jump ahead of the support
person. After all, if you knew more about the solution
than they do, why would you call?
23. Become a CBET. You may want to consider
becoming a certified biomedical equipment technician
(CBET) Beyond the information on the AAMI website,
it’s best to ask current CBETs about the scope of the
exam. Be wary of those who claim the exam is too dif-
ficult or too easy.
24. Continue your education. The business of be-
 BMET RESOURCE FILE
25 Things Every Biomed Should Know
 Build Your Skills
AAMI and other organizations offer a wealth of re-
sources for biomeds. Additional information for some
of the recommendations here is listed below.
5. See “Shop Organization,” (BI&T, May/June 2008,
page 176).
6. To find your local biomedical society, visit www.aami.
org/resources/links/biomed.html.
7. See “How to Troubleshoot…Anything, Part I (BI&T,
January/February 2005, page 37) and Part II (BI&T,
March/April 2005, page 121).
8. Ohm’s Law is defined as:
E=IxR
Where:
• E = Voltage (Voltage is an electric potential dif-
ference between two points on a conducting
wire. Voltage is measured in volts and comes
from various sources such as electric outlets and
batteries.)
• I = Current (Current is measured in amps. Current
is charged particles which flow from the voltage
source through conductive material to a ground.)
• R = Resistance (Resistance is the opposition that
ing a high-performing BMET goes hand-in-hand with a
desire to be a lifelong learner. It’s always a good idea to
continue your formal education regardless of your age or
position in your organization. Many of us have probably
maxed out on any form of formal technical education;
now we may look for degrees in business or manage-
ment. For those who do not have the time, money, or
desire to attend a traditional brick-and-mortar college,
there are many accredited online programs available and
many employers have tuition reimbursement programs
for their employees, regardless of the form of education
chosen.
And finally…
25. Be an advocate for your profession. I saved this
one for last because I feel it is the most important of all
the skills a biomed can possess. We need to let the clini-
cians we work with understand what it is we do. We need
to get involved with local and national organizations as
well as online communities. Educate high school and col-
lege students about the profession and encourage them to
consider it as a career option. Lastly, the best way we can
promote our profession and ourselves is to perform com-
384 September/October 2008
a material body offers to the passage of an electric
current. Resistance is measured in ohms.) From
IEEE (www.ieee.org).
9. See AAMI’s 2008 Electrical Safety Manual.
11. See “The Basics of Power Cord Specs,” (BI&T,
July/August 2007, page 290).
12. AAMI’s IT Horizons Series (www.aami.org/publica-
tions/horizons) covers a range of issues related to infor-
mation technology. See also “Confronting the Network
Challenge,” (BI&T, May/June 2008, page 209).
16. DITEC in Solon, OH, offers a variety of courses on
diagnostic imaging technology. Visit www.DITECnet.
com for more.
17. A diagram of Einthoven’s Triangle is included.
18. See “Batteries: From Alkaline to Zinc Air,” (BI&T,
March/April 2004, page 100).
19. Visit www.nfpa.org.
23. Visit www.aami.org/certification for more on the
CBET, CLES, and CRES exams.
24. See “The Changing Face of Education,” (BI&T,
March/April 2008, page 97).
25. Visit www.aami.org/TMCconnect for resources on
how to promote the profession.
petently, confidently, and responsibly in every situation.
As you read this list, some entries may be obvious,
some may be new, but most should be skills you’ve mas-
tered or are working to master throughout your career.
Contrary to popular belief, an individual with many basic
skills is far better equipped to deal with the typical array
of challenges in our profession than someone who is an
expert in only a few areas. Continued success as a biomed
also hinges on your ability to recognize your strengths
and weaknesses, and on leveraging the knowledge of the
greater community to support your growth as a health-
care technology professional. The ultimate outcome is a
higher quality experience for your clients and greater job
satisfaction for you.
This list is not, nor will it ever be, all inclusive, and
it is open to debate. I would love to hear your thoughts
and insights! Visit my website at http://www.currentpath.
com and shoot me a message with your “favorite things”
every biomed should know. n
Chris Poulsen, CBET, has worked in the biomedical technology
field since 1984. He is a biomedical service manager at Biomed
Technologies, Inc., in New Jersey and is the owner of the
healthcare technology website www.currentpath.com.