Army Biomedical Equipment Specialist (MOS 68A) is responsible for performing repairs on medical equipment.
Soldiers in this MOS work on medical systems and medical equipment.
This is an entry-level position that requires use and maintenance of electrical and electronic test equipment.
Qualifications,Training and Duty Stations
Individuals wishing to join the Army in this MOS will be required to score at least a 107 on the Electronics (EL) portion of the ASVAB test.
After meeting all testing, physical and medical requirements, recruits will attend 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training.
Because of the type of repairs and large amount of equipment the soldiers in this MOS service, the Advanced Individual Training is longer in comparison to other positions.
Recruits will attend Advanced Individual Training for 41 weeks.
Training will consist of classroom and field training including actual equipment repair, replacing equipment parts and equipment repair exercises.
Skills that are helpful in this MOS include:
- Attention to Detail
- Mathematics and problem solving skills
- Experience with electronic equipment
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What does a Biomedical Equipment Specialist do?
A Biomedical Equipment Specialist is required to be knowledgeable on a range on medical equipment and parts.
They use the principles of electronics to perform maintenance.
They are required to use and maintain electrical and electronic test equipment.
Soldiers in this MOS will use mechanical, hydraulic, electronic, digital, optical, pneumatic and radiological principles to service and maintain medical equipment.
Equipment they use includes electrical safety analyzers, digital multi-meters, patient simulators and other diagnostic equipment.
It is their job to install or uninstall medical equipment.
They will be instructed to calculate the power and space requirements for each medical equipment installation.
The specialist will perform preventative maintenance and check equipment for serviceability.
They will perform calibrations on various types of equipment.
Troubleshooting and isolating any malfunctions is part of the specialist repairing job.
When working on equipment the specialist must perform proper checkout procedures.
The equipment may be repaired in the shop or on site.
Specialist will refer to equipment manufacture documents and receive product training from a manufacture.
There are times when the specialist will be required to train the operators on proper use to ensure the product works at full capacity.
After completing maintenance, the specialist will document all details.
They will then prepare and submit medical equipment records.
The maintenance performed will be tracked in automated maintenance tracking systems.
The Army recruiting video below provides more information on job functions.
Duty Stations
Those serving in the Army as an MOS 68A can expect to be potentially based at one of the following duty stations:
Inside the Continental US (CONUS)
- Ft. Detrick, MD
- Ft. Natick, MA
- Ft. Ogden, UT
- Pentagon, Washington D.C.
- Ft. Polk, LA
- Ft. Belvoir, VA
- Ft. Benning, GA
- Ft. Bethesda, MD
- Ft. Bliss, TX
- Ft. Bragg, NC
- Ft. Campbell, KY
- Ft. Carson, CO
- Ft. Drum, NY
- Ft. Eustis, VA
- Ft. Hood, TX
- Ft. Irwin, CA
- Ft. Jackson, MS
- Ft. Knox, KY
- Ft. Leonard Wood, MO
- Ft. Lewis, WA
- Ft. Riley, KS
- Ft. Sam Houston, TX
- Ft. Sill, OK
- Ft. Stewart, GA
- West Point, NY
Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)
- Ft. Wainwright, AK
- Landstuhl, Germany
- Miesau, Germany
- Pirmasens, Germany
- Smith, Germany
- Tripler, HAWAII
- Walker, South Korea
- Yongsan, South Korea
- Carroll South Korea
- Seoul, South Korea
- Stanley, South Korea
- Walker, South Korea
What Does a Biomedical Equipment Specialist get Paid?
Biomedical Equipment Specialist get paid based on the Army’s standard base table.
Soldiers receive pay based on rank and time of service, regardless of their MOS in the Army.
Specialist can expect to receive a starting annual pay of roughly $20,000.
This income does not include any allowances, special pay or benefits.
The base pay table below can be followed to get an idea of pay.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Private | PVT | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Specialist | SPC | $2,503.50 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | CPL | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | $6,055.50 |
Benefits
The Army offers recruiting bonuses for certain situations as well as special pay situations.
An example of a special pay situation would be deployment.
The Army pays for housing and food for those living on base.
They also offer paid sick time, paid vacation and low-cost life insurance.
Medical and Dental are offered for free or at very low rates in comparison to most civilian plans.
Soldiers have the opportunity to attend college with tuition assistance programs and book assistance.
Related Article –Army MOS 51C: Career Details
Job Reviews
Reviews for this position are mostly positive.
Individuals note that while training is long, the skills are very valuable for future civilian careers.
Negative reviews discuss not knowing where you will be going next and the time away from family.
A few reviews for MOS 68A can be found below.
Civilian Career Opportunities
This position offers extensive training that directly relates to electronic instrument repair as a civilian.
Electronic instrument repair is a position that allows individuals to work in a variety of fields from hospitals and airline companies, to medical research facilities.
Advanced training opportunities are available that not only assist with promotions while in the Army, but more civilian career opportunities once out of the Army.
This position allows for certificate training as a Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist or a International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians certification.
Summary
Army Biomedical Equipment Specialist (MOS 68A) service, install, repair and maintain medical equipment.
To qualify for this MOS, recruits must meet all physical/medical requirements and receive a score of 107 on the Electronics (EL) portion of the ASVAB test.
This position follows the basic Army pay table, with opportunities for allowances, benefits and special pay.
Previous soldiers in this position like the work that they perform and note how transferable it is to a civilian career.
Civilian Opportunities include electronics instrumentation repair in various career fields.
Related Article –Army Civil Affairs Specialist (MOS 38B): Career Details
References
Zach currently resides in Syracuse, New York, and is very active in politics and local news media.
- 7 Army Bonuses For 2023 - March 20, 2022
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- 68 Series MOS: A List of Medical Field Jobs in the Army - June 26, 2020
