8 Different Types of Biomedical Engineering Jobs (Career Opportunities)

Biomedical engineering is an exciting field of study to enter into. Obtaining a biomedical engineering degree creates opportunities for you to choose from a wide variety of career paths. But what exactly are the types of biomedical engineering jobs that you should consider?

Biomedical engineering jobs include software developer, hardware engineer, medical scientist, genetic engineer, rehabilitation engineer.

Software Developer

Software engineers work to create and develop a variety of computer programs. Software developers who obtain a degree in biomedical engineering can develop software for medical professionals to use.

There are two branches of software development. Namely, applications software development and systems software development.

Applications Software Development

Applications software developers are responsible for creating programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, or games.

This may not sound useful in the medical field, but there is a lot of administration involved for nurses and other hospital staff, so word processors and spreadsheets come in handy. Many game-like programs have been developed, which are used to teach doctors and surgeons critical thinking skills to improve their performance in the field.

As suggested by the name, these professionals also use their skills to develop applications. This is particularly helpful when you think about the amount of paperwork that administrative apps can save doctors from doing. This can enable them to access records digitally, make changes more quickly, keep track of time, and more.

Systems Software Development

This branch of software development, known as systems software development, focuses on software that is used to develop and maintain a computer’s operating system.

These operating systems are usually pre-installed before computers are sold to consumers. Since technology plays such an impactful role in today’s medical field, this kind of software development assists medical staff more than we know.

While it may not seem like it, systems software developers indirectly play a vital role in almost every professional field.

Duties And Responsibilities Of Software Developers

The general responsibilities of a software developer include:

• Determine the needs of computer users
• Plan, test, and create software based on the needs of users
• Design charts and models that dictate software code
• Test and maintain software
• Ensure software functions effectively after maintenance and testing

Personal Skills Required To Become A Software Developer

Software developers should possess the following qualities:

• Detail-oriented
• Analytical
• Effective communication skills
• Able to collaborate with other professionals

Hardware Engineer

Hardware engineers create, design, and install hardware components for electrical systems, such as computers.

Engineers who work in the field of computer hardware design the physical components that allow computers to function. They create new hardware systems, test them, analyze the findings, and oversee the production of completed projects.

Duties And Responsibilities Of A Hardware Engineer

Hardware engineers have a wide variety of responsibilities, including:

• Designing hardware components such as circuit boards, processors, and memory cards.
• Individually testing the components that they have designed.
• Testing the capacity of hardware components to work in a system.
• Analyzing data to make changes to the configuration of the hardware.
• Performing functionality and performance tests on the final product designs
• Creating specifications for hardware components.
• Collaborating with software developers to ensure that the hardware functions according to its intended purpose.
• Oversee the manufacturing process of the hardware components they designed.

Personal Skills Required To Become A Hardware Engineer

Hardware engineers need to possess the following skills in order to perform their duties effectively:

• Analytical skills
• Creativity
• Critical-thinking skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Public Speaking skills

Medical Scientist

Medical researchers perform studies aimed at enhancing overall human health. They work in offices and laboratories. They also create new medications, therapies, and other medically-related goods or improve current ones.

The scope of research varies, ranging from looking into the fundamental causes of health or illness to conducting clinical trials and looking into techniques for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases.

Duties And Responsibilities Of A Medical Scientist

Medical Scientists have an extensive list of responsibilities that they need to carry out on a daily basis. These include:

• Experiments should be planned and carried out, and the findings should be analyzed or interpreted.
• Keep detailed records of work.
• Utilize specialized computer tools to analyze data
• Create diagrammatic representations of your findings.
• Collaborate with students to teach and oversee
• Draft and submit grant applications and progress updates to organizations that finance medical research
• Research manufacturing and marketing methods to discuss progress
• Consider the profit/loss possibilities of research goods regularly
• Collaborate with the private sector, research institutes, hospitals, and universities.

Personal Skills Required To Become A Medical Scientist

Medical Scientists need to possess the following skills in order to perform their duties effectively:

• Abilities in technical, scientific, and numerical areas
• For report writing and presenting findings, they need strong written and spoken communication abilities.
• Genuine interest in the study topic
• Rigorous attitude to work
• Perseverance
• Patience
• Problem-solving abilities
• Analytical thinking attention to detail
• Work well in teams

Genetic Engineer

Genetic engineers are highly trained professionals who rearrange DNA fragments using a variety of molecular techniques and technology.

The main objective is to improve an organism’s genetic composition by adding or removing genetic material or by transferring DNA code from one species to another.

Duties And Responsibilities Of A Genetic Engineer

Genetic engineers have many duties and responsibilities to fulfill. Some of these include:

• Examining DNA structures of various organisms
• Modifying organisms in a lab
• Maintaining a comprehensive knowledge of all the latest genetic engineering research.
• Designing and executing scientific experiments
• Writing and publishing journals on new findings

Personal Skills Required To Become A Genetic Engineer

Genetic engineers should possess the following personal attributes and skills:

• Creativity
• Proper moral compass
• Ability to be a team player
• Ability to collaborate with other professionals to discuss research and present new findings
• Strong research capabilities
• Effective communication skills
• Strong intellect

Rehabilitation Engineer

Rehabilitation engineering is the use of engineering concepts to design technical solutions and equipment to assist people with impairments and aid in the recovery of physical and cognitive functions that have been lost due to sickness or accident.

Rehabilitation engineers develop and create equipment and systems to help people with mobility, communication, hearing, vision, and cognition, among other things.

Duties And Responsibilities Of A Rehabilitation Engineer

Rehabilitation engineers have many duties and responsibilities to fulfill. Some of these include:

• Produce mechanical or electrical parts for equipment or devices by following standards.
• Ensure that equipment is produced and installed according to requirements analyzing
• Diagnosing problems with complicated medical devices and fixing
• Discuss and evaluate any technical concerns
• Perform maintenance of the equipment
• Install and fit equipment
• Demonstrate proper equipment usage to patients and health care providers

Personal Skills Required To Become A Rehabilitation Engineer

Rehabilitation engineers should possess the following personal attributes and skills:

• Analytical
• Methodical
• Logical
• Practical skills
• Comprehensive IT skills
• Developed concentration
• Strong communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to prioritize your work
• Empathetic and professional when dealing with patients

Biochemical Engineer

Biochemical engineers are entrusted with improving current processes utilizing chemistry and biology expertise, collaborating with biologists and engineers to solve issues, and undertaking independent research. They should be able to assess the environmental effect of production processes and waste disposal methods, as well as propose less damaging alternatives.

To be successful as a biochemical engineer, you should stay up to date with scientific advancements and contribute meaningfully to ongoing research.

Duties And Responsibilities Of A Biochemical Engineer

Biochemical engineers have many duties and responsibilities to fulfill. Some of these include:

• Analyze and comprehend existing biomanufacturing techniques and procedures.
• Ascertaining that all biochemical processes adhere to environmental standards and government policy.
• Developing goods and trash removal methods that are less harmful to the environment.
• Experiments, investigations, and other research projects are devised, overseen, and led.
• Allocating resources, delegating responsibilities, and giving financial projections are all part of the project planning process.
• Using diverse applications to create simulations and models.
• Obtaining permissions and filing patent applications.
• Using CAD software to create diagrams and schematics.

Personal Skills Required To Become A Biochemical Engineer

Biochemical engineers should possess the following personal attributes and skills:

• Excellent communication abilities, both written and vocal.
• The ability to condense complicated knowledge into simple instructions.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and scientific problem-solving skills.
• Expertise in CAD and other software applications.
• Strong leadership abilities, as well as the capacity to cooperate or work alone.

Orthopedic Bioengineer

Orthopedic bioengineering is a biomedical engineering specialty that utilizes computational mechanics and engineering to grasp better how the human body’s joints work to develop potential new procedures and materials that will enhance health care alternatives and treatments.

Duties And Responsibilities Of An Orthopedic Bioengineer

Orthopedic Bioengineers have many duties and responsibilities to fulfill. Some of these include:

• Performing stress analyses of the musculoskeletal system
• Analyzing the effects of friction and lubrication on synthetic materials
• Studying the characteristics of biological and synthetic materials
• Completing studies on gait and motion
• Contributing to the design of improved artificial joints
• Assisting in research on improvements to prosthetics
• Aids in the development of biological and synthetic biomaterials that can be used to replace damaged or diseased bones
• Make use of motion studies to predict patient outcomes after surgeries

Personal Skills Required To Become An Orthopedic Bioengineer

Orthopedic Bioengineers should possess the following personal attributes and skills:

• Organized
• Well-spoken
• Able to conduct thorough research
• Suitable bedside manner when dealing with patients
• Able to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to devise treatment plans
• Invests time to research the latest developments in the field

Physician

Many graduates of biomedical engineering schools go on to medical school to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors.

Physicians are in charge of the meeting, assessing, and diagnosing of patients in our clinic, as well as delivering healthcare services that satisfy state and national requirements.

Duties And Responsibilities Of A Physician

Physicians have many duties and responsibilities to fulfill. Some of these include:

• Collaborate with the primary healthcare team to offer patients with primary medical care services that meet the Internal Medicine standard of care.
• Order laboratory and radiological testing and send patients to experts.
• Analyze reports, test findings, medical records, and examinations in order to diagnose patients’ conditions and make treatment recommendations.
• Prescribe pharmaceuticals, other medicines, and treatment regimens to address medical problems that have been recognized and recorded.
• Before providing medicine or therapy, discuss any potential adverse effects with patients and double-check that any allergy information is updated.
• Provide patients with lifestyle and dietary recommendations that may enhance their health or aid in the treatment of a health problem they are facing.
• Follow departmental rules, procedures, and objectives and continuous quality improvement goals and standards for safety, the environment, and infection control.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and follow all federal and state regulations governing the privacy of health information.
• Keep accurate, up-to-date medical records of patients.

Personal Skills Required To Become A Physician

Physicians should possess the following personal attributes and skills:

• Suitable interpersonal skills
• Excellent Communication skills
• Able to keep comprehensive records
• Sharp memorizing skills
• Good intellect
• Excellent diagnostic skills
• Approachable

Conclusion

The future of biomedical engineering depends on both the difficulties and barriers we uncover and developments and accomplishments in disciplines like chemistry, materials science, and biology. Innovation comes from a variety of sources at the same time.

All the careers discussed above provide you with an opportunity to advance the field of medicine, and there is nothing more rewarding than helping others to stay safe and healthy.

References:

Michigan Technological University: What Is Biomedical Engineering?

Better Team: Biochemical Engineer Job Description