r/BMET

I recent was accepted into my community colleges Biomedical Engineering program. I start in august. Are there any suggestions or recommendations on what I could start looking at as far as videos or information so I can have a better ideal of what I’ll be getting into during my program?

Hello, apologies if this question doesn't belong here.

I'm a hobbyist and recently purchased a second hand Alaris PK Syringe Pump which is made for anesthetic transfusion. It, however, does not power on. The conditions are as follows:

1- Battery plugged in, AC unplugged, doesn't power on

2- Pump plugged in AC with battery, the light next to the plug icon on the pump lights up green, still doesn't power on

3- Pump plugged in AC without battery, same as 2

I'd assume it is dead or shorted if it weren't for the plug light lighting up. The two fuses that are screwed above the AC adapter slot are also intact.

I have a second working pump of the same model and it works just fine in the same conditions, it even briefly boots up when neither the battery nor the AC adapter is plugged in. I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what it could be, of course i know it is impossible to make a judgement without having it on hand, but is there common knowledge of this happening to this specific model or is sending it for servicing the only solution here?

One piece of information is that the area where the main capacitor is located gets warm when the pump is plugged in, it happens to both pumps, even the working one.

Thank you and apologies again.

Hey everyone,

I’m currently working in-house at a hospital and am about to graduate from school. I’m looking to plan my next career move and want to jump out into the field as an OEM Field Service Engineer (FSE).

Right now, I'm torn between trying to break into Imaging or going the Dräger route (Anesthesia/Ventilators). I’m trying to weigh the differences between these two paths before I start firing off applications.

For those of you who have worked or are currently working in these specialties, I’d love to get your insight on a few things:

• The Lifestyle/Day-to-Day: How is the day-to-day balance being out in the field for each? I know Dräger FSEs can travel heavily and often do PMs in the evenings/weekends when ORs are clear. Does Imaging have a similar grind, or is it more heavily tied to unpredictable emergency on-call?
• Pay & Compensation: What does the compensation curve look like for an entry-level FSE in both tracks? Does Imaging still hold the crown for peak salary, or does specializing in Dräger anesthesia/respiratory gear match it once you factor in overtime?
• Future Marketability: I’m currently looking at picking up some networking certifications to build an IT foundation, and I'm looking into taking RSTI courses for imaging. If I go the Dräger route, does having a solid networking background help much, or is that strictly an Imaging advantage?

Would love to hear any pros, cons, or general advice you have for someone making this transition out of school.

Thanks

Anyone have experience with MindRay patient monitoring and telemetry? We are currently looking to replace all of our patient monitoring across bothering our hospital sites and we currently have Philips MP series monitors paired with Philips Picix telemetry monitoring. We have very few issues with Philips but we have a new CEO that is wanting to purchase MindRay to replace it. Our in house biomed dept has a good bit of pull when it comes to persuading what equipment the hospital gets to purchase. Just wondering what the longevity looks like on these mind ray systems as I have always only worked with Philips and GE patient monitoring.

Hey everyone, I’m based in Sacramento, CA and actively trying to break into biomedical equipment technology. I have a BA in Psychology and about 4 months of experience as a Care Coordinator at a behavioral health clinic, so I have some clinical exposure but no hands on BMET experience yet.

I’ve been applying to entry level and trainee roles locally, reached out to AAMI about the apprenticeship program, and I’m currently exploring American River College’s BMET program for Fall 2026.

A few questions for anyone willing to share:

**1.**	How did you land your first BMET role without prior technical experience?  
**2.**	Is the AAMI apprenticeship actually realistic to get into as a career changer?  
**3.**	Any Sacramento area employers you’d recommend targeting for entry level openings?

Any advice at all is genuinely appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hello, I’m new to the group. I have been searching in indeed for new position as I would like to change up my career. I have an associated degree in electronics and indeed had shown me a job opening local to me for a company call B Braun. It is a field technician 1 role. I just wanted more insight of people who worked in the field. What are your daily hours? Do you get a take home vehicle? Are the benefits and retirement good? I did HVAC for a handful of years and I am now a government contractor. I figured the day would be similar to my HVAC technician days but wasn’t sure if it is remotely close to that. Thanks!

Hi guys i would like to ask , in the best of your knowledge, how job opportunities looks like for someone after serving in the air force as bmet.

Thank you so much

ISSUE RESOLVED

Hello everyone, I'm working with my hospital's IT department to try and update the network on our Alaris 8015 PCU's because we just switched to a new EMR and they wanted to put all the medical equipment on a separate network from the computers and other devices. However, we have both run into an issue where the device and network see each other, but the device is stuck in a cycle of saying "Associating" and occasionally "Authenticating". I have tried reaching out to BD and have even tried getting ahold of our service rep, but they have been less than helpful. I opened a case using their portal, but on the off-chance they're less than helpful still, I wanted to see if anyone here has the answers I'm looking for and/or suggestions for things the IT guy I'm working with should be looking for.

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My question: What wireless protocols and methods are compatible with the PCU's.

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Additional Context: We are attempting to use WPA3-PSK, and I have tried filling all of it out multiple times, careful to avoid typos. I've verified it's not the device because it connects to the currently utilized network just fine. And I'm 100% certain it's note or the software since I am able to transfer the old network just fine. We think it's on IT's side. However, we've whitelisted the device MAC (we use ClearPass), so we don't believe it's cybersecurity protections, however, has anyone encountered something similar? This is for BD Branded Alaris devices by the way, we just bought this new fleet in 2024. Newest firmware too.

I am an imaging FSE. Used to work for OEM with on call only 4 times per year (4 weeks total). Got paid 8 hours for the week regardless of if you were called in or not. If you got a phone call but resolved it over the phone, you would get paid, usually putting in an hour or maybe two. However, the on call was really kind of an "on paper" thing and most FSEs completely forgot they were on call. There were no reminders and almost never a weekend call dispatched.

Now working for a third party. On call is every 3rd week. No pay for actually being on call. OT paid out at 1.5x, 2x on Sunday, but only get paid if you actually go on site.

I work in modalities that do not typically get called in after hours or on weekends, so I initially thought that this situation was not a big deal. But I was wrong. It is taking a toll on my life because I cannot plan anything big for on call weekends, and have to stay around home sitting around. The high frequency of the on call and zero pay if nothing comes in does bother me a lot. Also I was prepared one time to go to a site and it fell through, so I was sitting with my work clothes on ready to go for hours, on the phone communicating the whole time, and ended up not needing to go, and wasted my entire day and didn't get a dime. I also feel like I'm kind of always on call even if I'm not, because people frequently call me outside of the 8-5 business hours, at 7am, 7pm etc.

What is your on call situation like, and how do you cope with it? Do you risk doing stuff like going out boating, fishing, going to an event outside of your immediate town, etc.?

What type of spectrum analyzer is everyone using for your tele system checks? Got a box that works completely fine for hours, but when I give it back, it has a good amount of dropout.

Hi everyone,
I have a question specifically about Siemens Healthineers.

I currently work for an authorized Siemens Healthineers business partner as a Field Service Engineer in the IVD/Diagnostics division, supporting Siemens systems.

I’ve heard from several people, including engineers from both business partners and Siemens Healthineers, that Siemens generally doesn’t hire engineers from its own business partners if they’re already supporting the same product line or modality. Some say it’s an unwritten practice to avoid affecting the relationship with the partner, while others say it’s just a rumor.

Does anyone here have firsthand knowledge of whether this is true? Is there an official policy, a regional practice, or does it simply depend on the hiring manager and business needs?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone in Siemens Healthineers HR, hiring, or someone who has made the transition from a business partner to Siemens Healthineers.

I’ve got a facility in McAllen, Texas that is needing some service and “calibrations” done. I’m way up in the Panhandle so that’s out of my territory. Are there any good biomed companies in the McAllen/Corpus/San Antonio area that would be willing to service this facility? If you message me, I can share contact. They are a clinical research facility, so I’m assuming lab equipment for the most part.

I am a lab tech familiar with incubators, BSCs, and shakers. I’m beginning to work on eppendorf centrifuges and wanted to see if any had any advice on opening them and getting to the motor. I’ve tried a few in the past and it’s quite a process. So looking for any tips and tricks. It is the second to latest version.

Hi everyone,

I previously worked in IT as a Systems / hardware Administrator and I’ve been trying to transition my career into BMET for over a year, but I haven’t had much success breaking into the field.
I’m looking for any advice, guidance, resources, or suggestions from people who have made this transition or are currently working in BMET. Any tips on certifications, opportunities, networking, or how to get my foot in the door would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for any help or advice!

Hi there! I want to know if I can swap the whole front-end module from a Ge volsuon e8 bt 21 Ec 360, to a Ge voluson e8 bt 19, Ec 340.

I kept looking everywhere, but can't find any information about this matter

This is my first time posting in this subreddit, and I’m just trying to find some advice.

I’m currently switching up my schooling and decided I want to be a BMET with the hope of eventually becoming an MRI technician, but there are no BMET specific programs near me, so I have a couple of options. I could get my associates in engineering technology and then move to a bigger city that has BMET program and continue from there. I also thought about online programs, but weren’t sure since the job is so hands on. I also thought about getting a hospital job like phlebotomy to have more hospital experience.

I currently have 0 engineering knowledge, and have only worked in food service/customer service jobs. Any advice helps! thanks!!

New bmet trying to understand esa a little more here! I read the difference between the 710 and 715 which was the IEC60601 portion (I think its just the way the manuals are said to show they are in compliance to manufacturing standards).

I always follow OEM when doing maintenance, but I seem to get confused when the Fluke 710’s manual states that the 710 can only record AAMI/NFPA and not the iec60601 part.

Is that just something to not worry about as long as I just get a simple touch current, ground resistance and patient current?

I’m based in the USA so I just wanted to know I am guided at the right direction as I learn ESA in detail.

Been in biomed for five years. I've worked both but am curious about other people's experiences. What do you prefer?