A clinical engineer, at its most basic level, combines a thorough understanding of modern medicine with a thorough understanding of engineering. It’s the kind of job that can lead to a variety of career options for a person, many of which require completely different skill sets. In a hospital setting, a clinical engineer may find himself acting as a technology manager, assisting in the selection of equipment and the management of maintenance personnel. If a clinical engineer works in an industrial setting, he may be responsible for everything from medical equipment design to sales. Clinical engineers can also work as independent consultants in a variety of settings.
Clinical engineers who work in hospital settings or in asset management are in charge of medical equipment systems. They also manage finances, data processing, and personnel, which is especially important in hospitals. Clinical engineers are sometimes called in to evaluate new technology and train staff on how to use it. Workers in this field who work in industry assist in the design and development of medical equipment. Those who work in private practice can provide information and insight into national or international organizations like the World Health Organization.
Clinical engineers have become more important as technology has become more important to the medical profession. As medical technology becomes more complex, medical personnel will require ongoing training in order to safely operate and maintain the equipment. The increased cost of this equipment is also thought to have made hospitals more cautious about maintenance and caused them to enlist more expert help.
Clinical engineers receive training in a combination of engineering and medical subjects, but the specific training varies depending on specializations and other factors. The engineering portion of the training is generally extensive, covering every aspect of any other engineering career as well as specialized subjects relevant to clinical engineers. On the medical side, the training covers everything from physiology to a study of medical equipment operation. Clinical engineers may also require certain people skills related to dealing with patients, medical staff, or customers in the case of sales jobs, depending on the specific job they’re looking for.
Although there is a growing demand for clinical engineers, the number of available positions is not always plentiful. Clinical engineers are not always plentiful in hospitals, and there can be fierce competition for industrial and consulting positions. Those interested in this field may need to be flexible in terms of the type of job they want and willing to relocate if a job opening arises in a distant location. Even if a specific clinical job isn’t available, there are usually plenty of other lucrative job opportunities available.