Your path into biomed
Job titles and employers, switching from another career, and working across the Canada–US border. Tap a section to open it.
01Biomed careers: job titles and who’s hiring
Biomed jobs go by many different names. Search for all of them, and you’ll find far more openings.
Job titles to search for
In hospitals and health systems
- Biomedical Engineering Technologist (BMET)
- Biomedical Equipment Technician I, II or III
- Clinical Engineering Technologist
- Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Technician
- Senior or Lead Biomedical Technologist
- Imaging Equipment Specialist (CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound)
- Laboratory Equipment Specialist
- Dialysis or Renal Equipment Technologist
- HTM Supervisor or Manager
- Clinical Engineer (usually needs an engineering degree)
With manufacturers and service companies
- Field Service Engineer or Field Service Representative
- Imaging Service Engineer
- Technical Support Specialist
- Clinical or Applications Specialist
- Installation Engineer
- Depot or Bench Repair Technician
- Calibration Technician
- Quality or Regulatory Specialist (medical devices)
- Medical Device Cybersecurity or Integration Specialist
Search tip: try “BMET”, “HTM technician”, “biomedical technician”, “clinical engineering” and “field service engineer medical”. In the US, the military and the Veterans Health Administration also hire biomeds.
Major employers in North America
This isn’t a ranking. These are some of the largest employers of biomeds, grouped by type.
Medical device manufacturers
- GE HealthCare
- Siemens Healthineers
- Philips
- Medtronic
- Stryker
- Baxter
- BD (Becton, Dickinson)
- Abbott
- Johnson & Johnson MedTech
- Boston Scientific
- Canon Medical Systems
- Fujifilm Healthcare
- Dräger
- Mindray
- Steris
- Getinge
- Olympus
- Hologic
- Intuitive
- Zimmer Biomet
Service companies (ISOs)
- TRIMEDX
- Agiliti
- Crothall Healthcare Technology Solutions
- Regional independent service companies near you
Health systems
- Canada: hospital networks and provincial health authorities, such as Ontario hospital networks, BC health authorities, Alberta’s provincial health system and Quebec’s health and social services networks
- United States: large hospital systems, academic medical centres, the Veterans Health Administration and the military
Ready to look? Join the BEATS talent pool so employers can find you, or use the biomed map to find schools and chapters near you.
02Switching into biomed from healthcare or a technical job
Many biomeds started in another job. If you already work in healthcare or in a technical trade, you have half of what the job needs.
Coming from healthcare
Nurses, respiratory therapists, medical lab technologists, imaging technologists, sterile processing staff, OR assistants and paramedics.
You already bring: clinical workflow, infection control, patient safety, and real experience using the equipment.
You’ll need to add: electronics, electrical safety and hands-on troubleshooting.
Coming from technical work
Electronics technicians, electricians, military electronics or avionics techs, instrumentation techs, IT and network techs, and field service techs from other industries.
You already bring: reading schematics, test equipment, troubleshooting and working safely with electricity.
You’ll need to add: anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, and medical device standards.
Key skills employers look for
- Electronics fundamentals and reading schematics
- Methodical troubleshooting
- Using test equipment such as electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators and multimeters
- Preventive maintenance, calibration and documentation
- Networking basics, since many devices are now connected
- Working safely in clinical areas, including infection control
- Clear communication with nurses, doctors and vendors
Five steps to make the switch
- Learn the basics. Start with anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and basic electronics. Many colleges offer these as single online courses.
- Get the credential. A 2- or 3-year biomedical engineering technology diploma is the standard route. Some colleges offer fast-track options if you already have related post-secondary education. Find programs on the BEATS map.
- Get hands-on. Ask your hospital’s biomed department if you can job-shadow. Entry roles in equipment depots, sterile processing or lab support can also get your foot in the door.
- Get certified. In Canada, the Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) title is registered through your provincial technology association, such as OACETT in Ontario or ASET in Alberta. In the US, AAMI’s CBET certification is widely recognized.
- Get connected. Join BEATS for free to find a mentor who has made the same switch, and join the talent pool so employers can find you.
03Coming to work in Canada as a biomed from another country
This is general information, not immigration advice. Rules change often. Always confirm with the official government sites linked below, or with a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.
Routes for anyone outside Canada
- Get your education assessed. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) compares your diploma or degree to Canadian education. You’ll need one for most immigration programs.
- Know your occupation code. Biomedical engineering technologists fall under NOC 22310, Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians. You can check NOC codes on Canada.ca.
- Pick a route. The main options are Express Entry for permanent residence, a Provincial Nominee Program, or a work permit backed by a job offer. A work permit usually needs the employer to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- Pass a language test. English (IELTS or CELPIP) or French (TEF or TCF).
- Register with your province. The C.E.T. title is optional for most biomed jobs, but it helps employers trust foreign credentials. Register through the province’s technology association, such as OACETT in Ontario, ASET in Alberta or ASTTBC in BC.
With your diploma: CUSMA, TN and B-1
These are the fastest routes, but they only work for citizens of Canada, the US and Mexico. They come from the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA, called USMCA in the US). The agreement went through its required review in July 2026 and is still in force. It is now reviewed every year, so check for changes before you apply.
Americans and Mexicans coming to Canada: the CUSMA professional work permit
- This is Canada’s version of the TN. No LMIA is needed.
- Biomeds usually apply under the Scientific Technician/Technologist category. A 2-year diploma can qualify, so you don’t need a degree.
- The job must be in direct support of a professional in a listed field, such as engineering. For biomeds, that usually means working with a clinical or biomedical engineer.
- You need a job offer from a Canadian employer. US citizens can usually apply at the border or airport when they arrive. Mexican citizens may need to arrange a visa first.
- Permits are usually issued for up to 3 years and can be renewed. Permanent residents of the US or Mexico don’t qualify; you must be a citizen.
- Official details: IRCC work permit exemption codes (CUSMA professionals).
Canadians going to the US: TN status
- TN is the US side of the same agreement, for Canadian and Mexican citizens.
- The same Scientific Technician/Technologist category applies, and a diploma can qualify.
- US guidance from 2025 says you must directly support a qualifying professional, such as an engineer. A role supervised by a physician generally won’t qualify, and you can’t work on your own.
- Canadians can apply at a US port of entry with the job offer letter, diploma and transcripts.
- Official details: USCIS – TN USMCA professionals.
B-1 and business visitors: service trips, not jobs
- A B-1 is a US visitor status, not a work visa. You can’t take a US job on it.
- There is an after-sales service exception. If you work for a non-US company, you may be able to install, repair or train on equipment your employer sold to a US customer, when the service is part of the original sales or warranty contract. You must stay on your home employer’s payroll.
- Canada has a similar business-visitor rule for foreign technicians servicing equipment bought from outside Canada.
- This route fits field service engineers who travel. It does not let you move and work for a hospital.
Not sure which route fits you? Join BEATS and ask to be matched with a mentor who has worked across the border.
Last reviewed October 2026. Employer names are examples, not endorsements.