Biomedical Engineer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Biomedical Engineers (2148.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Other Professional Engineers, n.e.c. (C048) 
• 2011 NOC: Other professional engineers, n.e.c. (2148) 
• 2016 NOC: Other professional engineers, n.e.c. (2148) 

Biomedical engineers work with scientists, researchers, and medical staff (including doctors, veterinarians, nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) on the engineering aspects of biological and medical systems.

Duties and responsibilities vary. In general, biomedical engineers:

• design, develop, and assess medical devices such as artificial hearts and hips, pacemakers, myoelectric prostheses, and surgical lasers
• adapt and develop computer hardware and software for medical science and health care, including medical imaging systems, models of human physiology, and medical data management
• do research to test, modify, and develop theories
• ensure equipment used for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring is safe, and investigate failures
• ensure the appropriate and economical use of technology in health care
• give advice about buying and installing new equipment
• develop and assess models of biological processes and systems
• apply engineering methods to answer questions about how the body works and understand the mechanisms of injury and disease
• contribute to patient assessments
• prepare and present reports for health professionals and the public
• supervise and train technologists and technicians.

Biomedical engineers may focus their work in 1 field, or in a combination of the following fields:

• bioinformatics - developing and using computer tools to collect and study data using spinal processing, machine learning, and visualization techniques
• bioinstrumentation - applying electronic and measurement techniques in medicine
• biomaterials - developing new materials and choosing materials that are compatible with a biological environment
• biomechanics - applying knowledge of mechanics to biological or medical problems
• bio-nano engineering - developing new structures of nanometer dimensions for application to biology, drug delivery, molecular diagnostics, microsystems, and nanosystems
• biophotonics - applying and manipulating light (usually laser light) for sensing or imaging properties of biological tissue
• biosensors - developing hardware that interacts with a biological or physiological system to acquire a signal for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
• cellular and tissue engineering (regenerative medicine) - studying the anatomy, biochemistry, and mechanics of cellular and sub-cellular structures; developing technology to repair, replace, or regenerate living tissues; and developing methods for controlling cell and tissue growth in the lab
• clinical engineering - applying engineering and management skills to health care technology
• electrophysiology - developing therapies and diagnostic techniques based on the electrical properties of cells and tissues
• genomics and genetic engineering - mapping, sequencing, and analyzing genomes (DNA) and applying molecular biology methods to manipulate the genetic material of cells, viruses, and organisms
• health care systems - applying expertise in population health, health services research, and advanced operations modelling to optimize health care systems
• medical or biological imaging - combining knowledge of a physical phenomenon like sound, radiation, or magnetism with electronic processing, analysis, and display
• molecular bioengineering - designing molecules for biomedical purposes and applying computational methods for simulating biomolecular interactions
• robotics - developing robotic and other mechatronic systems and devices for applications in surgery and therapy
• systems physiology - studying how systems function in living organisms
• therapeutic engineering - discovering and developing drugs and advanced materials and techniques for delivering drugs to local tissues with minimized side effects

Biomedical engineers work in offices, labs, workshops, plants, clinics, and hospitals. Local travel may be needed, depending on where medical equipment is located.

Most biomedical engineers work standard weekday hours. Longer hours may be needed to meet deadlines, to work with patients at times that suit them or to work on equipment that is in use during daytime hours.

Biomedical engineers need to possess:

• a strong interest in engineering and medicine
• critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
• science and math skills
• knowledge of anatomy
• the ability to visualize complex processes and equipment
• good speaking and writing skills
• creativity and persistence
• an interest in ongoing learning
• the ability to work well with people from various disciplines and educational backgrounds.

They should enjoy:

• researching and developing new equipment and systems
• interacting with patients or animals, sometimes in a clinical setting
• doing precise tasks
• consulting with and supervising others.

Biomedical engineers work for:

• medical institutions
• universities
• research facilities
• medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturers
• corporate research and development labs
• consulting engineering firms
• law firms
• venture capital firms
• governments.

Biomedical engineers often work in multidisciplinary environments. As a result, they may acquire knowledge and skills that allow them to move into related science, engineering, sales, marketing, or management roles.

Biomedical engineers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2148: Other professional engineers. In Alberta, 86% of people employed in this classification work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors, including:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

In Alberta, the C048: Other Professional Engineers, n.e.c. occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 95 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering website: aimbe.org

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca

BioAlberta website: www.bioalberta.com

Biomedical Engineering Society website: www.bmes.org

Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society website: www.cmbes.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.