medical devices
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.
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.
Competences and skills
54 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 4 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
4 competencesmedical devices materials
The different materials used to create medical devices such as polymer materials, thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather. In the choice of materials, attention must be paid to medical regulations, cost, and biocompatibility.
quality standards
The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
sterilization techniques
The methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.
Essential skills and competences 19 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
19 competencesalign components
Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
assemble final product
Install and mechanically adjust all components and subsystems, according to factory regulations and legal standards.
clean components during assembly
Clean components before fixing them to other compounds or units of components during the assembly process.
ensure conformity to specifications
Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
fasten components
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
follow clinical guidelines
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
maintain medical devices
Ensure all medical devices and appliances are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.
manipulate medical devices materials
Manipulate materials used in the manufacturing of medical devices such as metal alloys, stainless steel, composites or polymer glass.
manufacture medical devices
Put together medical devices according to company specifications and national and international regulations. Use specialised materials, tools, and machinery to assemble the medical devices. Apply molding, welding, or bonding techniques according to the type of medical device. Retain a high level of cleanliness throughout the manufacturing process.
meet deadlines
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
monitor automated machines
Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
digital
read assembly drawings
Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.
remove defective products
Remove defective materials from the production line.
repackage medical equipment after sterilisation
Re-assemble and package the newly sterilized medical equipment and devices, sealing and labelling them properly for further use.
report defective manufacturing materials
Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
supply machine
Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
test medical devices
Make sure the medical devices fit the patient and test and evaluate them to ensure they work as intended. Make adjustments to ensure proper fit, function and comfort.
use technical equipment for sterilisation
Work with technical equipment and machinery such as steam sterilisers to clean and disinfect equipment and devices.
wear cleanroom suit
Wear garments appropriate for environments that require a high level of cleanliness to control the level of contamination.
Optional knowledge 10 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencemedical furniture
The types medical furniture such as dentist chairs, hospital beds or cabinets and the type of materials used to create the furniture.
Sector-specific
1 competencetypes of plastic
Types of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.
Cross-sector
8 competencesbiomedical engineering
The biomedical engineering processes used to create medical devices, prostheses and in treatments.
biomedical techniques
The various methods and techniques used in biomedical laboratory such as molecular and biomedical techniques, imaging techniques, genetic engineering, electrophysiology techniques and in silico techniques.
blow moulding
The three main techniques to create hollow plastic and glass parts, namely extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding and injection stretch blow molding.
electrical engineering
The field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
electromechanics
The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
optical engineering
Subdiscipline of engineering that deals with the development of optical instruments and applications, such as telescopes, microscopes, lenses, lasers, fibre optic communication, and imaging systems.
plastic welding
Methods to join softened plastic surfaces, usually by heating and applying pressure, such as heat sealing, laser welding, high frequency welding and ultrasonic welding.
thermoplastic materials
Types of materials of which the physical state changes when exposed to heat, as well as the specific manner in which the materials react to heat exposure.
Optional skills and competences 21 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
7 competencesadvise on medical products
Provide advice to customers on what medical products can be used for various medical conditions.
- Scope note
- This includes advising customers on the use of self-medicine.
interpret circuit diagrams
Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.
maintain moulds
Maintain, repair and clean moulds and mould parts, e.g. by smoothening out imperfections on the surface. Use water, grease or oil to wash and scrape the moulds by hand.
maintain plastic machinery
Maintain machinery and equipment for making plastic goods, to ensure that it is clean and in safe, working order. Perform routine maintenance on equipment and adjust when necessary, using hand and power tools.
manipulate stainless steel
Manipulate the shape, size and properties of stainless steel.
operate plastic machinery
Operate machines and equipment used for creating plastic parts and products such as injection, extrusion, compression or blow moulding machines.
repair plastic machinery
Repair broken components or systems of machinery and equipment used for making plastic products or parts, using hand and power tools.
Cross-sector
14 competencesadjust manufacturing equipment
Regulate and monitor the manufacturing equipment settings and process parameters, such as its temperature and power level. Review the manufacturing process and equipment and suggest improvements.
apply soldering techniques
Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of soldering, such as soft soldering, silver soldering, induction soldering, resistance soldering, pipe soldering, mechanical and aluminium soldering.
attend to detail in preparation for audits
Ensure constant compliance with standards and requirements, such as keeping certifications up to date and monitoring activities to ensure correct procedures are followed, so that audits can occur smoothly and no negative aspects can be identified.
construct moulds
Construct moulds for the casting of objects in plaster, clay, glass, plastic or metal. Use casting machines and materials such as rubber, plaster or fibreglass.
fill moulds
Fill up moulds with appropriate materials and ingredient mixes.
finish plastic products
Finish the product by sanding, branding and polishing the plastic surface.
maintain medical laboratory equipment
Regularly check the condition of medical laboratory equipment used, clean, and perform maintenance operations, as necessary.
operate machines for the rubber extrusion process
Operate the extruder machine and the curing press aiming to cure and extrude rubber products.
operate precision machinery
Operate machinery used for the making of small systems or components with a high level of precision.
repair medical devices
Repair or modify medical appliances and supportive devices according to the specifications.
replace defect components
Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
green
resolve equipment malfunctions
Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
use moulding techniques
Use moulding techniques, such as rotational moulding, injection moulding, blow moulding, compression moulding, extrusion moulding and thermo-forming to shape liquid raw materials, such as plastic, ceramic, glass and metal.
use precision tools
Use electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.