Medical devices

Description

Equipment and devices used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of medical issues. Medical devices cover a wide range of products, ranging from syringes and protheses to MRI machinery and hearing aids.

Alternative labels

devices used in medicine
medical products
typology of medical devices
typology of medical products
kinds of medical products
types of medical products
types of medical device

Skill type

knowledge

Skill reusability level

cross-sector

Relationships with occupations

Essential knowledge

Medical devices is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Paramedic in emergency responses: Paramedics in emergency responses provide emergency care to sick, injured, and vulnerable persons in emergency medical situations, before and during transport to a medical facility. They implement and oversee the transfer of the patient in connection with transport. They provide assistance in acute situations, implement life-saving emergency measures, and monitor the performance of the transportation process. As allowed by national law they may also provide oxygen, certain drugs, the puncture of peripheral veins and infusion of crystalloid solutions and perform endotracheal intubation if needed for the immediate prevention of threats for the life or health of an emergency patient.
Medical device engineer: Medical device engineers design and develop medical-technical systems, installations, and equipment such as pacemakers, MRI scanners, and X-ray machines. They monitor the whole manufacturing process from concept design to product implementation. activities undertaken include, among others, designing product improvements, developing methods and techniques to evaluate design suitability, coordinating initial production, developing test procedures, and designing manufacturing diagrams.
Medical device assembler: Medical device assemblers manufacture instruments, machines and appliances that can be used to prevent, diagnose or treat medical conditions. Medical devices can be non-electrical, such as tubes, needles, drainage sets and sterile pipettes, as well as electrical, such as pacemakers, MRI machines, and X-ray devices. Some may also work in the production of medical furniture such as hospital beds and operation tables.
Medical device engineering technician: Medical device engineering technicians collaborate with medical device engineers in the design, development and production of medical-technical systems, installations, and equipment such as pacemakers, MRI machines, and X-ray devices. They build, install, inspect, modify, repair, calibrate, and maintain medical-technical equipment and support systems. Medical device engineering technicians  are responsible for the operational readiness, safe use, economic operation and the appropriate procurement of medical equipment and facilities in hospitals.

Optional knowledge

Medical devices is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Biotechnical technician: Biotechnical technicians perform technological work in assistance of scientists. They work in laboratory settings where they help scientists to research, develop and test forms of biotechnology. They set up lab equipment, prepare scientific tests and gather scientific data.
Dental instrument assembler: Dental instrument assemblers assemble various dental instruments, such as drills, lasers, probes, mirrors, and dental imaging devices. They use various machinery, hand tools, chemicals, adhesives and epoxies to assemble the dental instruments. They use precision tools and work in cleanroom environments.
Electronics engineering technician: Electronics engineering technicians work closely with electronics engineers in the development of electronic equipment and devices. Electronics engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, and maintaining electronic devices.
Production supervisor: Production supervisors coordinate, plan and direct manufacturing and production processes. They are responsible for reviewing production schedules or orders as well as dealing with staff in these production areas.
Injection moulding operator: Injection moulding operators operate and monitor injection moulding machines, in order to cast products from thermoplastic materials. They regulate the temperature, pressure, and volume of plastic, according to pre-defined specifications. Injection moulding operators also remove finished products and cut-away excess material, using a knife or other hand tools.
Mechanical engineer: Mechanical engineers research, plan and design mechanical products and systems and supervise the fabrication, operation, application, installation and repair of systems and products. They research and analyse data.
Consumer goods inspector: Consumer goods inspectors evaluate assembled parts of consumer goods and products for compliance with specifications and defects in-line with clients’ requirements and organisational policies. Consumer goods inspectors provide results and findings for reports. Inspected defects can be identified as being cracks, scratches, errors in sanding, and defects of moving parts.
Pharmacist: Pharmacists prepare, dispense, and provide prescriptions for, over the counter medication. They offer clinical information on medicines, report suspected adverse reactions, and provide personalised support to patients. Pharmacists formulate and test medications in laboratories, and store, preserve, and distribute them.
Specialist pharmacist: Specialist pharmacists provide specialist services for companies in the pharmacy industry and in hospital pharmacies.  The role of the specialist pharmacist varies throughout Europe, subject to national rules and training.
 

 


 

References

  1. Medical devices – ESCO

 

Last updated on September 20, 2022