Careers in Biomedical Careers in Biomedical Engineering TechnologyEngineering Technology

BMET 4350

Fall 2003

Dr. Hugh Blanton

Career OpportunitiesCareer Opportunities

Industry– Research and

Development– Manufacturing

Engineering– Quality Assurance– Marketing/Sales– Regulatory Affairs

Government– Research Laboratories– Regulatory Agencies

(FDA)– Military– Public Health Service– NASA

Career OpportunitiesCareer Opportunities

Hospitals– Clinical engineers– Facilities engineers

Private Testing Laboratories– Underwriter’s Laboratories– ECRI

Healthcare Consulting Firms– Accenture

Career OpportunitiesCareer Opportunities

Academia– Research– Teaching

Non-traditional fields:– Technical writing– Corporate training– Patent law– Medicine

Academic vs. Industrial R&DAcademic vs. Industrial R&D

intellectual curiosity why does it work? sharing of royalties publications choice of research more individual work more basic research need to obtain grants involved in initial phases of project less urgency flexibility

profitability does it work? no royalties for inventor product introductions limited project areas team approach more applied research funding available involved in entire project

“time is money” higher pay

Academia Industry

Unique Aspects of Medical Unique Aspects of Medical Device IndustryDevice Industry

Regulated industry– must prove safety and efficacy

Recalls very difficult

Third party payors, insurance

Safety issues– biocompatibility– biodurability

Design ConstraintsDesign Constraints Economic

– cost containment pressures– market needs– competition– profitability to company

Regulatory– want shortest approval path– new materials, designs may require clinical study

Legal– product liability, safety– patents

Customer NeedsCustomer Needs

Lower cost Time savings

– lower cost– reduced risk

Improved performance– quality of care– safer– less liability

New treatment– improved care– increased revenues

Lower cost/benefit ratio

Biomedical Engineers Biomedical Engineers SalariesSalaries

Starting salaries (2001):– BS degree: $47,850– MS degree: $62,600

Engineering technologists will start between $5,000 and $8,000 less than an engineering graduate.

$39,000--$42,000

(National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2001)

Biomedical Engineers Biomedical Engineers SalariesSalaries

Industry salaries (2000):– Median: $57,480– Mid 50%: $45,760 - $74,210– Top 10%: > $90,530

(US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Market Size (World)Market Size (World)World market (1998): $145 billion

Estimated world market (2006): $260 billion

Industry Profile - Company SizeIndustry Profile - Company Size

62%

27%

7%4%

<2020-99100-249>250

# of Employees

Quality System Regulation, FDA, 21 CFR, 1996

7000 biomedical engineering positions in 2000(US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

R&D SpendingR&D Spending

Employment OutlookEmployment Outlook Faster than average increase than other

occupations through 2010 (31.4% vs. 15.2%). Aging population, focus on health issues Emerging new areas:

– Computer assisted surgery– Cellular and tissue engineering– Rehabilitation and orthopedics– Emphasis on cost efficiency and effectiveness

(US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Average Salary and Compensation

MDDI, October 1999

20012001

MDDI, December 2001