American River College
Open tablet menu Close tablet menu×
Open mobile menu Close mobile menu×
Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Biomedical Equipment Technology

Biomedical Equipment Technology

Overview

The Biomedical Equipment Technology program prepares students for careers as biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs). The curriculum focuses on the theory, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and certification of essential medical devices used in hospitals and clinics, such as ultrasound machines, respiratory therapy ventilators, and X-ray imaging systems. Students can pursue either an Associate of Science (AS) degree or a Certificate of Achievement, both of which provide hands-on experience and technical instruction in semiconductor technology, medical networking, and industrial communication. Graduates are equipped for entry-level roles maintaining complex diagnostic and life-support equipment, a field projected to see steady job growth in the Sacramento region.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S. in Biomedical Equipment Technology
  • Biomedical Equipment Technology Certificate

Associate Degree

A.S. in Biomedical Equipment Technology

This degree covers the theory, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and certification of biomedical equipment used in hospitals, medical device manufacturers, or other service organizations. It includes an in-depth study of frequently used medical equipment.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
First Semester:
ET 302 Principles of Electricity and Electronics 4
Second Semester (Fall Semester Only):
BMET 425 Introduction to Biomedical Equipment Technology 4
Second or Other Semesters:
ET 253 Industrial Communication Systems Support 4
ET 322 Semiconductors and Nanotechnology 4
ET 335 Integrated Circuits with Computer Applications 4
ET 380 Introduction to Electronic Communications 4
ET 420 Microcontrollers and Digital Signal Processors 4
Third Semester (Spring Semester Only):
BMET 426 Advanced Biomedical Equipment Technology 4
Third or Other Semesters:
A minimum of 2 units from the following: 2
BMET 260 Introduction to Medical Ultrasound Equipment (0.5)
BMET 261 Introduction to Biomedical Equipment Networking (1)
BMET 262 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy Ventilators (0.5)
BMET 263 Introduction to Medical X-ray Imaging Equipment (1)
Total Units: 34

The Biomedical Equipment Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate the data from basic preventive maintenance tests on the following equipment: multi-parameter physiological monitor, electrocardiogram (ECG) machine, blood pressure monitor, defibrillator, pulse oximeter, infusion pump, and electrosurgical unit.
  • distinguish and list various medical imaging technologies.
  • set up standard electrical measurement tools and differentiate the uses for calibration and troubleshooting of medical equipment.
  • set up the following equipment: multi-parameter physiological monitor, ECG machine, blood pressure monitor, defibrillator, pulse oximeter, infusion pump, and electrosurgical unit.
  • categorize biopotentials and electrodes as they relate to basic human anatomy and physiology systems.
  • associate the applicable regulation with the regulating organizations.
  • list and compare the different types of bioelectric amplifiers, signal processing circuits, and isolation circuits.
  • compare and contrast the protocols for working in the operating room and special care units in the hospital.

Certificate of Achievement

Biomedical Equipment Technology Certificate

This certificate covers the theory, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and certification of biomedical equipment used in hospitals, medical device manufacturers, or other service organizations. It includes an in-depth study of frequently used medical equipment.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
BMET 261 Introduction to Biomedical Equipment Networking 1
ET 302 Principles of Electricity and Electronics 4
ET 312 Mathematics for Circuit Analysis 3
ET 322 Semiconductors and Nanotechnology (4) 4
   or ET 335 Integrated Circuits with Computer Applications (4)
   or ET 380 Introduction to Electronic Communications (4)
BMET 425 Introduction to Biomedical Equipment Technology 4
BMET 426 Advanced Biomedical Equipment Technology 4
A minimum of 1 unit from the following: 1
BMET 260 Introduction to Medical Ultrasound Equipment (0.5)
BMET 262 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy Ventilators (0.5)
BMET 263 Introduction to Medical X-ray Imaging Equipment (1)
ET 298 Work Experience in Electronics Technology (0.5 - 4)
Total Units: 21

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate the data from basic preventive maintenance tests on the following equipment: multi-parameter physiological monitor, electrocardiogram (ECG) machine, blood pressure monitor, defibrillator, pulse oximeter, infusion pump, and electrosurgical unit.
  • distinguish and list various medical imaging technologies.
  • set up standard electrical measurement tools and differentiate the uses for calibration and troubleshooting of medical equipment.
  • set up the following equipment: multi-parameter physiological monitor, ECG machine, blood pressure monitor, defibrillator, pulse oximeter, infusion pump, and electrosurgical unit.
  • categorize biopotentials and electrodes as they relate to basic human anatomy and physiology systems.
  • associate the applicable regulation with the regulating organizations.
  • list and compare the different types of bioelectric amplifiers, signal processing circuits, and isolation circuits.
  • compare and contrast the protocols for working in the operating room and special care units in the hospital.

Career Information

This program prepares electronics technology students for a biomedical technician internship or trainee position.

Biomedical Equipment Technology (BMET) Courses

BMET 260 Introduction to Medical Ultrasound Equipment

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:9 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Corequisite:BMET 425
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides in-depth training for maintaining ultrasound equipment used in the biomedical field. It covers imaging modes, physical principles, transducers, system block diagrams, common peripherals, Doppler effect, image quality, test equipment, and troubleshooting. This course was formerly known as ET 260 and is not open to students who have successfully completed that course.

BMET 261 Introduction to Biomedical Equipment Networking

  • Units:1
  • Hours:18 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ET 253 and 302
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an overview of IT networking for biomedical devices. Topics include basic IT networking, network architectures for connecting medical devices, cybersecurity, medical device-related networking standards (e.g., HL-7, DICOM, FHIR), tools for testing and troubleshooting, and other related topics (e.g., working with your IT department). This course was formerly known as ET 261 and is not open to students who have successfully completed that course.

BMET 262 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy Ventilators

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:9 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Corequisite:BMET 425
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides in-depth training for the maintenance of respiratory ventilation machines used in the biomedical field. It covers respiratory ventilator basics, ventilator block diagrams, patient circuits, test equipment, and troubleshooting. This course was formerly known as ET 262 and is not open to students who have successfully completed that course.

BMET 263 Introduction to Medical X-ray Imaging Equipment

  • Units:1
  • Hours:18 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:BMET 425 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an introduction to the maintenance of medical X-ray imaging equipment. It covers X-ray generators, components of vacuum tube and solid state imaging chains, cameras, digitizing methods, processing, display methods, and radiation safety. This course was formerly known as ET 263 and is not open to students who have successfully completed that course.

BMET 299 Experimental Offering in Biomedical Equipment Technology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

BMET 425 Introduction to Biomedical Equipment Technology

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ET 302 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers the fundamentals of biomedical equipment and the responsibilities of electronics technicians in the medical device service industry for hospitals, medical device manufacturers, or other service organizations. It includes a detailed study of the theory, operation, and maintenance of hospital equipment, systems, and procedures, and the related electronic systems. Additional topics include basic anatomy and physiology as they relate to the biomedical equipment. Field trips may be required. This course was formerly known as ET 425 and is not open to students who have successfully completed that course.

BMET 426 Advanced Biomedical Equipment Technology

  • Units:4
  • Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:BMET 425 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and certification of biomedical equipment used in the medical device industry. It includes an in-depth, hands-on study of frequently used medical equipment, preparing electronic technology students for a biomedical technician internship or trainee position in a hospital, medical device manufacturer, or other service organization. Field trips may be required. This course was formerly known as ET 426 and is not open to students who have successfully completed that course.

BMET 499 Experimental Offering in Biomedical Equipment Technology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog