Should I Become a Biomedical Engineer?
Biomedical Engineers belong to a sub-branch of engineering that deals with medical and biological problems. Different hospitals, engineering companies, medical technology firms and medical supply companies employ biomedical engineers. Their day-to-day job involves carrying out research, devising medical procedures, maintaining and evaluating medical devices/equipment and assessing treatment procedures, etc.
How to Become a Biomedical Engineer 
Common areas of specialization for biomedical engineers include biomaterials and medical imaging. Read this guide to understand what you need to do to become a biomedical engineer in the United States.
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Education
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Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree mandated by some employers
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Fields of Study
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Biomedical engineering; Mechanical or Electrical engineering with biomedical training.
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License/Certification
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All states require biomedical engineers, especially those directly serving the public, to be licensed.
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Key Skills
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Judgment and decision making, active listening, critical thinking, complex problem solving, inductive and deductive reasoning, reading comprehension, communication, problem sensitivity, Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, medical software, development environment software, scientific and analytical software, object and/or component-based development software.
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Annual Mean Wage
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$95,090 (As of May, 2018)
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Job Outlook
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Projected growth of 4% in jobs from 2018 to 2028
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net Online
As a Biomedical Engineer, you will have to deal with and solve complex problems. To do that, you must be able to think critically and come up with out-of-the-box solutions. Good communication skills are also important as you will be engaging with different entities. Moreover, your expertise in various IT tools and commonly used software in the field will play a major role in your professional growth.
Career Requirements
Earning an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering or a related field (electrical or mechanical engineering with biomedical training) is a basic requirement. You will need this to enter the biomedical engineering sector.
Common courses during your 4-year Bachelor’s studies will include biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, biochemical engineering, therapeutic medical devices, medicinal physics, etc. Some employers also demand biomedical engineers working with them to have a master’s degree. All states in America require professionals in this field to be licensed.
Steps to Become a Biomedical Engineer
To become a Biomedical Engineer in the US, follow the procedure described below.
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Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree
Getting your Bachelor’s degree is the first step on the road to becoming a Biomedical Engineer. Common fields of study include biomedical engineering, electrical engineering (with biomedical training), mechanical engineering (with biomedical engineering), etc.
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Study for a Master’s Degree and/or Gain Work Experience
Once you have your Bachelor’s degree in hand, you will be able to start work in the field. Some jobs may require a Master’s degree but an undergraduate education will be enough most of the time to get started in the industry. As an entry-level professional, you will have to undergo training and work under the supervision of licensed biomedical engineers.
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Get Your State License
After getting the required education and gaining the required work experience, you will be eligible to sit for the state licensing exam. Pass this assessment to get your license as a practicing biomedical engineer. You are now ready to launch your career.