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MEDDET's Own Cpl. O'Rear Makes The AJC

Friday 11 May 2007 © 2007 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

MARRIETTA, GA. Michael O'Rear (center) is the lead instructor of biomedical engineering technology at Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta. These students — Beyeh Ngiyeh (from left), Ebrima Drammeh, Viral Chhikniwala and Agatha Ramirez — are learning concepts and skills that are increasingly in demand as health care institutions use more advanced technology.

With many hospitals expanding and offering more services, the demand for biomedical engineering technologists also is increasing, said Michael O'Rear, lead instructor of biomedical engineering technology at Chattahoochee Technical College. The two-year associate's degree program prepares students to safety-test, calibrate and repair electrical and mechanical equipment.

With 30 years in the field, O'Rear can remember when equipment used vacuum tubes and, later, transistors.

"Now, it's integrated circuits, and everything is miniaturized and more complex. With medical technology, you have to continuously keep learning," he said.

Most technologists start out as generalists, doing preventive medicine, and move to specializing in one type of equipment, such as imaging or anesthesia. Hospital technicians often receive in-service training from manufacturers to learn how to maintain and repair the latest machinery.

Chattahoochee Tech recently partnered with Southern Polytechnic State University to create a two-plus-two-year bridge program to let students earn four-year degrees. Students would take the last two years as an option in the university's electrical and computer engineering department. "The four-year degree opens up more career options and makes it easier to move into management," O'Rear said.

Biomedical engineering technologists work in hospitals, in surgical clinics and for independent companies that service equipment in doctors' offices. Some go to work for medical equipment manufacturers in their installation, training or troubleshooting departments.

"Once people get into this field, they usually stay, because they love it," O'Rear said. "They know that the machines are helping people, and that feels good."