Scientific Enterprises (www.scientificenterprises.com) has for years offered a correspondence program. The program is sold in individual modules, and students can purchase just the courses pertaining to their needs. This program has approximately 30 biomedical separate modules. Scientific Enterprise's courses all have continuing education units offered with them. There is a test (or tests) included with each module which is to be completed and sent to Scientific Enterprise's staff for grading. Credit is then awarded upon successful completion of the module.

Private schools have formed over the years which offer specialized training in various areas. Imaging seems to be the most popular. Radiologic Service Training Institute (www.rsti-training.com) has been training x-ray service professionals for over twenty years. They have also has put together a correspondence course that is specifically written for certification on imaging equipment. There are nine graded modules based on the outline for the certification exam. The courses comprise discussions of anatomy, film processing, radiograph techniques, and biomedical equipment.

If time and budget allows, RSTI and DICTEC (www.ditecnet.com) both offer excellent training classes on general and model specific imaging equipment. If diagnostic ultrasound training is sought Conquest Imaging (www.conquestimaging.com/training) offers basic theory and multi vendor training.

Other types of training range from endoscope repair offered by Matlock Endoscopic (www.matlockendo.com) to medical laser repair courses hosted by the Laser Training Institute (www.lasertraining.org).

All of the mentioned independent training institutions teach basic theory, provide hands-on practice and offer their graduates telephone support in the field. With the innumerable training opportunities for biomedical technicians, the ones included here are just a representative cross-section of a much larger educational base. Aside from these general and modality focused courses, many manufacturers themselves provide the means to obtain training directly from them.

On the job training was once the most common means of learning the biomedical profession. Yet, now with the variety of training available, OJT may soon give way to technicians with more formalized education and skills. Whether obtained in a classroom, on-line, or by correspondence, a biomedical degree is available to all technicians. To complement a degree, specific skills can be honed via independent training facilities, or by manufacturers' courses. As with any technical profession, the proper mix of theory and experience equips the service person with confidence and competence to master the trade.

This story is from Glen L. Wolfe CBET CET EHF a DOTmed user since February 2005 and Manager of Biomedical Services at Trace Services Inc. in Bloomingdale, Illinois.

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