The common roles of Biomedical Engineer in Hospitals by Mr Hamidsha Shahudeen

This article was written and published by

Mr Hamidsha Shahudeen,

Sr.Biomedical Engineer Al Rahba Hospital

Abudhabi, UAE

From my own experience, below listed are the common roles of Biomedical Engineers/Technicians working in a Hospital.

• Medical Equipment Preventive & Corrective Maintenance

• Maintaining proper inventory of medical equipment's available in the hospital

• Maintaining Spare parts store.

• Taking Care of Test Equipment (Calibration of test equipment by authorized third party)

• Proper documentation of all routine biomedical activities.

• Managing and supervising the activities of external Field service engineers, suppliers and contractors visiting the hospital for medical equipment care.

• Preparing weekly and monthly reports.

• Providing technical advices to Biomedical Technical staff.

• Maintain an up-to-date library of Service manuals.

• Evaluate the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of medical equipment's in the hospital.

• Train clinicians and other personnel on the proper use of equipment (Prepare annual schedule for the application training and conduct it as per the schedule in coordination with equipment supplier)

• Participate and do advisory role for the need assessment of new medical devices.

• Capital Budgeting - Along with Hospital management and Clinical users.

• Operating Budget - For the smooth operation of biomedical department.

• Acquisition of new medical devices - Drafting specification, arranging demo units, Preparing purchase terms, RFQ and LPO in

• Acquisition of new medical devices - Drafting specification, arranging demo units, Preparing purchase terms, RFQ and LPO in coordination with Purchase department.

• Acceptance of new medical devices

• Decommissioning of medical devices

• Follow up regarding alerts and recalls of medical devices

• Preparedness of medical equipment's and Biomedical department for any external and internal audits

• Project planning and execution (New hospital or clinics)

• Hospital or Clinical department renovation project coordination

• Arranging pre-installation requirement for new medical devices (In coordination with supplier and facility department)

• Representing the hospital for any technical/clinical meeting outside the hospital, possibly abroad.

• Technical advices to the management for any high value investment on Medical Technology (considering Return on Investment and other technical criteria)

• Ensure proper technical training (OEM) for all biomedical technical staff for critical and high value medical equipment's.

• Be part of any major drills in the hospital within the predefined jurisdiction.

• Be part of incident investigation related to any mishaps pertaining medical devices, this usually be coordinated through Quality department in the hospital

• Time to time update of any Policies and Procedure pertaining biomedical department

• Preparing financial report on biomedical activities.

• Medical Device reporting to Manufacturer and regulatory authorities

• Medical Device reporting to Manufacturer and regulatory authorities in case of Patient/user fatality or death due to equipment malfunction.

• Prepare, review and negotiation on Maintenance contract terms.

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