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Certified Associate in Biomedical Technology(CABT)

A certified associate in biomedical technology is an individual who is new to or planning to enter the HTM field and looking to earn an entry level certification to kick-start their career.

Overview

In a work setting, this professional will be responsible for scheduled technology maintenance, supporting senior technicians, incoming/routine inspections on new equipment, and minor troubleshooting. Characteristics of a CABT include, but are not limited to: strong communication skills, problem solving abilities, resourcefulness, strong time management skills, technology acumen, highly motivated, and resilience.

The CABT designation is non-renewable and is active for five years. If an individual wishes to maintain the designation, they will need to take and pass the exam again. At the five year expiration date, the candidate will have the necessary experience to sit for the CBET or CRES exam.

Candidate Eligibility

Individuals interested in earning the CABT designation must have a high school diploma or GED to sit for the exam. This can be waived for current high school students who have parent permission.

IMPORTANT: A copy of the applicant’s high school diploma or GED documentation must be submitted with the completed application.  

Certified Associate in Biomedical Technology Content Outline

  1. Understand the basic functions and interactions of the physiological systems (e.g., Respiratory, Nervous, Circulatory)
  2. Identify the basic function of the major organs (e.g., Heart, Lungs, Kidneys, Brain, Skin, Blood)  
  1. Understand the purpose and basic function of diagnostic medical equipment (e.g. otoscope, ophthalmoscope, thermometer, scales, centrifuges, bladder scanners, EKG cart, microscopes)
  2. Understand the purpose and basic function of patient monitoring equipment   (e.g., noninvasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, telemetry, EtCO2, ECG)
  3. Understand the purpose and basic function of therapeutic medical equipment (e.g., infusion pumps, suction pumps, syringe pumps, PCA pumps, physical therapy equipment, defibrillator, patient warming and cooling)
  4. Understand the proper use of hand tools (e.g., graduated cylinder, stopwatch, Allen and torque wrenches, channel locks, needle-nose pliers, diagonal cutters, wire stripper, vice grips)
  5. Understand the proper use of biomed test equipment (e.g., multimeter, electrical safety analyzer, patient simulator, tachometer, scale) 
  1. Understand safety concepts and symbolism   (e.g., lock out tag out (LOTO), safety data sheets (SDS), color coding for gases, signage)
  2. Identify potential safety hazards (e.g., environmental, electrical (micro- and macroshock), chemical)
  3. Follow universal precautions and infection control procedures
  4. Understand the safety risks when working with various medical equipment (e.g., imaging devices, defibrillator, lab equipment, PPE)  
  1. Understand Ohm’s Law and how it applies to electrical safety and testing
  2. Understand basic concepts of electricity and symbols (e.g., fuses, circuit breakers, capacitors, batteries, transformers)
  3. Understand direct and alternating current principles
  4. Understand basic electronics terminology (e.g., electrostatic discharge (ESD), wiring, color-code wire standards, ground, voltage, current, resistance, LED)
  5. Interpret basic operation of a simple circuit (e.g., power supply, switch, load)
  6. Identify open and short circuits within a simple circuit  
  1. Perform unit conversions and unit readings within the metric system (e.g., visual measurement, wave forms, tolerance)
  2. Read and interpret visual representations of information (e.g., graphs, tables)
  3. Use provided information and resources to determine next steps (e.g., flowchart, process of elimination, service manual)  
  1. Use basic computer and smart-phone applications (hardware and software)
  2. Understand basic concepts of computer architecture and systems/schema (e.g., RAM, hard-drive, solid-state drive, CPU, GPU, power supply, printers (local and network))
  3. Understand computer connectors (e.g., video output, USB-types, network cables)
  4. Understand basics of local and wireless networks (e.g., LAN, WAN, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), data closet, server rack, VPN, VLAN)
  5. Understand basic HIPAA regulations as they apply to device integration and electronic medical record (EMR)
  6. Understand the importance of network security (e.g., firewalls, phishing, patches, passwords)  

Exam Information

CABT is an online proctored exam. Online proctored exams for CABT will have a set of rules and requirements that test takers must abide by, which address the test environment, the computer/devices used, the tester's behavior, and consequences of rule violations. All testers MUST have an active camera during the exam session.

Policies During Exam Administration

The following list is the policies that will be maintained during the testing session:

  • Candidates are admitted only to their assigned test center at their assigned time.
  • No guests are permitted in the exam room.
  • No reference material, books, papers, translation aids, personal items are allowed in the exam room.
  • No electronic devices, such as pager, cell phone or “smart “watches, any device with internet access or camera, or google glasses are allowed in exam room.
  • No weapons may be brought into the exam room.
  • No test materials, documents, memos of any sort are allowed to be taken from the exam room.
  • Candidates are not allowed to communicate with others test takers. Proctors are authorized to maintain a secure and proper test administration.
  • Candidates will be given the opportunity to write comments about exam items during the exam.
  • Candidates are provided scratch paper and a pencil during the exam.
  • Breaks are not allowed during the exam.
  • Food and beverages are not allowed in the exam room.
  • Candidates may not copy in writing, transmit or record exam questions and/or answers of any exam material.

Online Proctoring Conditions & Requirements

Candidates participating in an online proctored exam must have a functioning camera linked to their computer that can track them during the duration of the exam.  Participants must show photo ID prior to the start of the exam to verify identity.

Below is a list of condition violation actions that will be strongly enforced during online proctored exams:

  Condition Violation Actions
Condition Pause & Send Warning Terminate No Action
Test taker left area  x 
Camera out of position 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Audio problem 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Camera out of focus 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Talking non-test related   x
Poor lighting 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Unauthorized test aid  x  
Invalid keystroke 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Video signal problem  x  
Multiple people in view 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Inappropriate environment 1 Warning prior to start   
Reading exam aloud 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Talking about the exam 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Glasses (Reading glasses only)   x
Pan the room 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Test item theft  x  
Leaning out of view 1 Warning followed by Termination   
Cell phone being used  x  
Using camera on cell phone to take picture  x  
Wearing headphones  1 Warning prior to start