Biomedical engineering technology:Analyzing the professional marketplace

The success and future of academic programs in engineering technology are often related to the employment of its graduates as educational curricula needs to balance theoretical and practical fundamentals with skills that are in demand by employers in each specific sector. Student recruitment for specific engineering technology programs is also affected by the future employability of its graduates, as these academic programs are often sought by adult and returning students who need or desire to acquire newer and more practical skills to respond to the demands of the workplace. This paper analyzes the current nationwide demands for graduates of biomedical engineering technology (BMET) and clinical engineering (CE) programs, based on collecting 219 job advertisements during a 12-month period. These job advertisements were collected from professional listservers, Websites of BMET professional organizations, and printed trade and professional publications focused on BMET. The majority of advertised positions required an associate's degree in BMET or similar programs, although some others required additional certification or a minimum number of years of experience. The article analyzes and discusses the technical, professional, and interpersonal skills as well as educational requirements and certifications required for future BMET graduates based on employer's demands. The paper also will discuss the geographical distribution the majority of BMET employers, the description of their job and related duties as well as their compensation packages when these are stated in the advertisement. The snapshot of the employment market for BMET graduates that is presented in this paper can be seen as an important tool for BMET instructors and institutions that offer this program to tailor their course content and objectives toward the current needs of the industry. This information will enable them to develop appropriate marketing plans for student recruitment while maintaining educational programs of high quality.