Frequently Ask Question (FAQ)
1. General
I. Who needs to be certified as a competent Biomedical Technical Personnel (BTP)?
All technical personnel of Concession Company and servicing company who are involve in the Biomedical Engineering Maintenance Services (BEMS) at Ministry of Health (MOH) healthcare facilities need to be certified as a competent BTP. This is in accordance to competency requirement as stated in the relevant MOH Contract Agreement and Medical Device Act 2012 (Act 737) under Section 43: a person – installing, testing, commissioning, maintaining and disposing shall have the qualification and competency.
II. When will the requirements of this handbook be implemented?
The requirement needs to be fulfilled by year 2020 especially for all new staff intake.
III. Which organization governs the competency assessment and registration?
The competency assessment will be conducted by the recognized MOH BEMS Competency Committee (MBCC), authorized by Engineering Services Division, MOH. The applications for competency examination registration will be reviewed and approved by MBCC which is responsible for governing the competency registration.
IV. Is the competency requirement applicable for private hospital or non-MOH hospital?
No. The competency requirement is only applicable for all technical personnel of Concession Company and Servicing Company who are involve in the Biomedical Engineering Maintenance Services (BEMS) at Ministry of Health (MOH) healthcare facilities. The scope of implementation is only for MOH facilities.
V. Is the competency requirement in this handbook similar to the competency requirement by Medical Device Authority, MDA?
No. The competency requirement in this handbook suits with current MOH maintenance contract. It may be revised as MDA publish its competency requirement.
VI. What happens if the technical personnel performing the services of medical equipment does not comply with the competency requirement in this handbook?
The technical personnel will not be allowed to continue performing the service job in MOH facilities.
2. Competency certification
I. What is the period of validity for the competency certificate issued?
The competency certificate issued is valid as long as the BTP comply with the terms stated in certificate. BTP is required to submit a yearly CPD report to retain the competency validity.
II. Are the technical personnel required to apply for different competency certificate for different type of equipment?
Yes. Different type of medical equipment specialization will have different module of courses that needs to be attended before attaining the competency certificate. A competent BTP may be awarded with different level of competency for different type of equipment specialization.
III. What are the reasons that can result to withdrawal of the competency certificate?
The competency certificate will be withdrawn if the BTP does not comply with the terms stated in the competency certificate such as submission of yearly CPD report and renewal of factory training certificate as required by the manufacturer.
IV. Who is required to achieve the competent BTP for Management?
Personnel who is involved with the management of biomedical equipment maintenance services such as the head of BEMS at healthcare facility, regional level or headquarters and also the technical personnel from MOH.
V. Who should apply for the Product Technical Specialist (PTS) competency certificate?
The PTS competency certificate is intended for technical personnel from vendor/supplier company who performs servicing job. The PTS competency is awarded for technical personnel who has attend factory training of a specific model of medical equipment and will be acknowledged as the PTS for the particular model.
VI. PTS competency is applicable for which category of medical equipment?
PTS competency is only applicable for medical equipment within the complexity of intermediate and high.
VII. What is the meaning of Basic, Intermediate, and High medical device category in this handbook?
In this handbook, medical device is classified based on its complexity with basic category meant for device with the least complexity while the high category dedicated for device with highest complexity.
VIII. What is the minimum requirement to be certified with Level 1 Competency for basic medical device?
For the medical device in the category of basic, the minimum requirement is to attend the Compulsory Competency Module (CCM) and to comply with the qualification requirement as stated in Table 5: Biomedical Technical Personnel (BTP) Career Development Matrix. Attaining basic medical device certification to acquire the Level 1 competency is optional.
IX. What kind of experience is required to attain the BTP competency certification?
The experience required is the experience on medical equipment being applied for competency certification.
X. Is it possible to be exempted from attending the Compulsory Competency Module (CCM) if the module or part of the module has been study during higher learning education or in other external course provider training?
Yes. The CCM or part of the CCM module may be exempted if the module or part of the module has been study during higher learning education or in other external course provider training. The applicant has to submit the transcript of the module that is wished to be exempted from the CCM requirement. Exemption will only be given for the module that has been taught.