Hi Alan,

I would agree with all the aforementioned sentiments. If you're young, keep all your options open by going for a general purpose electronic engineering degree, if you get the choice, one with a practical bias rather than heavy on the theory.

The blending of knowledge of physiology and the application of medical equipment will come from specialist training courses from manufacturers and suppliers, not forgetting Dave Mulvey's infamous teaching courses. Also look on this site for some excellent training articles written by techs who have had to learn from first principles. You may be lucky in that you may find a medic at your hospital who is willing to give some time to you for particular aspects of understanding treatments and associated equipment. I know I was, and have been eternally greatful.

Having said all that guys, what does this say about our ever present call for better training if we are recommending one of our young colleagues to go for a general engineering degree?


Brian

I have to say that if it helps you to decide what you want to do, I started a BEng course, but had to leave when I simply couldn't afford to stay at Uni. I got an HND for my troubles, but it is only since the VRCT became an issue that I found out some important information. The HND is not assured for "quality" by the AQA (? please check this is the correct acronym - I haven't got the paperwork to hand!) apparently, which is partly why IPEM/HPC were pushing for degrees as the standard qualification for registration AFAIK. I was most annoyed, because surely the whole point of going for qualifications should be that there is some "quality" to them? Seems a lot of students are being short-changed, literally, these days...

If I could complete my studies, (which might not be possible through work any more, I really don't know) I would.

Whether you generalise or specialise, there are always jobs at manufacturers to consider, as well as abroad. You could even find that you move further toward clinical posts and could convert your knowledge and skills later in your career. It's all about your willingness to learn and adapt, and what you want to do. Good luck!

Hi Brian,

Dave Mulvey ran one of the first technical training courses that I ever attended, way back in September 1995, not long after I'd started work at North Middlesex Hospital. The course was on the S&W DMS 730/600 defibs. at Vickers Medical. His training methods were brilliant. There was only a small group of us and it was all very informal. Moreover, you actually used a screwdriver and took the defib. apart! Dave also foresaw that in a few years time we'd all end up as board changers - how right he was!
Does anyone know what's happened to Dave?
Ian

The last I knew Dave was technical director with Artemis if I remeber correctly. I also attended some of his training courses with Vickers Medical in Rochdale and agree they were excellent.

I seen him give a talk at a biomed conference in Birmingham in April of this year regarding defibs which was very good and yes he's still banging on about us buying our batteries from the medical device manufacturer only. I've seen his name on this forum a couple of times also.

Getting back to the question of Degree HND etc, If a Medical Engineering Tech can`t acquire the above qualifications, why not go for an A level and get a job as a Chief Executive.
By the way, Dave Mulvey visited our exquisite surroundings a few weeks ago and gave us a very nice and informative talk on pulse oximetry using the Massimo technology, what a nice chap!

Oddly enough I started this discussion on what qualification to take and old Dave Mulvey pops up!!!
He popped into our place a few weeks ago to give us a nice talk on pulse oximetry.
I also saw his discussion at the NEC about CE markings on batteries. However he wasnt best pleased to be told that we couldnt find any markings on our artemis batts we got from him. There was nothing on the outside, nothing on the cell...