Nature of work
Your activities as a biomedical engineers varies depending on the type ofemployer and seniority of the post held . Your tasks will be as follows:
using computer software and mathematical models to design,
develop and test new materials, devices and equipment. This can
involve programming electronics, building and evaluating prototypes,
troubleshooting problems, and rethinking the design until it works correctly;
liaising with technicians and manufacturers to ensure the feasibility of a product in terms of design and economic viability;
conducting research to solve clinical problems using a variety of means to collate the necessary information, including questionnaires, interviews and group conferences;
liaising closely with other medical professionals, such as doctors and therapists as well as with end-users (patients and their carers);
discussing and solving problems with manufacturing, quality, purchasing and marketing departments;
assessing the potential wider market for products or modifications suggested by health professionals or others;
arranging clinical trials of medical products;
approaching marketing and other industry companies to sell the product;
writing reports and attending conferences and exhibitions to present your work and latest designs to a range of technical and non-technical audiences;
meeting with senior health service staff or other managers to exchange findings;
Environment of work
As a biomedical engineers you will dedicate yourself to work daily from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm; however, you might need to take overtime job when you work on the safety and maintenance of the hospital’s equipments. Sometimes part-time work is available and careers breaks are possible. Hopefully you like travelling because local travel within the working day may be required .For example, in case you take a job involves the regional management and maintenance of medical equipment in hospitals and patients’ home. Also, if you work in the private sector, you will travel extensively to introduce products and clinical trials to hospitals. Workshop, an office ,laboratory or clinic are your workplace and the combination of these are highly possible. Usually self-employment is improbable although you might have a chance to work as a consulting engineer or make a contract with a hospital. You are a lucky person if you like to work within a group because being a biomedical engineers required to have a good network of contacts for you will work collaboratively with the other members and individual work is hardly required. Professional life
If you like to apply for this position you may work in three main areas: research;
industry;
The Health Service.
If you choose to go into research, you will have to get a PhD in biomedical engineering, then take a role of lecturer and/or researcher at a university or academic institute.
If you wish to work in industry, firstly you should get your degree and work towards becoming a chartered engineer (CEng) then you will go into a job. In senior posts you will get roles in management, research, technical advice, quality assurance, production or marketing.
If you get a chance to work in the Health Services in the early years after graduation, you will have a clearer structure. The main obstacels might occur in this position is graduates ’compete for a small number of pre-registration clinical scientist training posts. competition for higher posts is likely to be less intense, though a willingness to relocate is important.
Would you like to develop yourelf in this position ? well,career prospects are highly possible and movement between hospital-based jobs and the healthcare industry to gain wider experience is possible in either direction.
· If you are wondering about the salaries, now it is time to know the answer. your salaries will range between 300000 and 3400000 SYP
Getting the job
If you are considering applying for a biomedical engineer position,then you have to get a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following: biomedical science/engineering;
electrical/electronic engineering;
mechanical engineering;
physics.
if you wish to become a chartered engineer, It is preferable to have an accredited degree which also might be advantageous for getting on to specific training courses or finding employment.
Once you have completed the degree you will be qualified to apply for a job in the private sector at research units or medical equipment manufacturers.
In fact, if you like to become a biomedical engineer you will have to follow the clinical engineering pathway through spending the first year of your career life in a range of settings . The next two years will be in the specialised area which includes the workplace- based training to cover rehabilitation engineering, clinical measurement and development, and device risk management and governance.
Skills
In addition to your academic qualifications, you need to have the following skills to be successful in this job: a strong interest in the integration of engineering and medicine;
excellent communication skills in order to liaise with a wide variety of people;
good attention to detail;
spatial awareness, three-dimensional conceptual ability and computer literacy (particularly for design engineers);
the ability to combine a high degree of technical knowledge with creativity;
the ability to design products that are effective and practical as well as cost effective and aesthetic;
commercial awareness, in order to appreciate a product's marketability;
excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.
No matter if you do not have Prior practical experience but relevant work experience in the form of vacation work or a placement year is very helpful in getting a first job and making contacts.
Sources and references
bmes.org, Biomedical Engineering Society www.arab-eng.org, Arab Engineer forum
www.syriaengineer.com , Syrian engineer community
The Order of syrian engineers
www.prospects.ac.uk, the official graduates career website
Arab Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008, Ed. Arab Labor Organization
Summary
Take into consideration that you have to apply engineering principles and materials technology to healthcare. This can include researching, designing and developing medical products, such as joint replacements or robotic surgical instruments, designing or modifying equipment for clients with special needs in a rehabilitation setting, or managing the use of clinical equipment in hospitals and the community.As a biomedical engineers you are employed by health services, medical equipment manufacturers and research departments/institutes.
Job titles vary depending on the exact nature of the work. Biomedical engineer is one of them, or you could be known as bioengineer, design engineer and clinical scientist (in a hospital setting/clinical situation).