Biomedical engineering is a multifaceted field, and you don’t always need to find a person with a master’s degree in a single, specific field. This is a profession that brings together people from many disciplines, including electrical engineering, software engineering, biology and medicine. It is a good idea to look for a biomedical engineer with multifaceted knowledge that fits the duties you need to have performed. What to look for in an answer:

• Education or experience that is relevant to the position
• A multifaceted background
• Apprenticeship or work-study experience

Many biomedical engineers focus on one or two very specific parts of the field. Although lack of experience should not necessarily disqualify an applicant, it is a factor that must be considered. Hiring an inexperienced person will always involve some risk, but it can pay off very well if you choose wisely. You should inquire as to the specific devices and materials that they have used in their previous positions and how they relate to your organization’s needs. What to look for in an answer:

• Experience with at least one other company
• Specific interest in a field relevant to the position
• The ability to learn quickly and listen to colleagues with more experience

This question can be substituted with the tasks you want completed by the biomedical engineer. One of the most common uses for biomedical engineering is the creation of artificial limbs, artificial hearts and other prosthetic devices. If your applicant has successfully designed and built one, and this is what you are hiring them to do, then it will require less training to get them to a place where they are an employee of value. What to look for in an answer:

• A history of hands-on work on similar projects
• Confidence in the steps needed to do the tasks
• Detailed knowledge of the subject

Biomedical engineering represents a crossroads between human beings and mechanical devices. As such, there are definite moral and ethical implications that any competent professional should have considered. Businesses often have to find the line between ethics and innovation, and it helps to understand the mindset of the employees you are hiring, especially those who will work in management positions. What to look for in an answer:

• A clear understanding of ethics
• An acknowledgment of professional limitations
• An understanding of risk prevention and the implications for a business

This question provides a way to gauge the interests of an applicant so that you can tell what they really want to do. Their response will show you which side of the bioengineering field matters the most to them. In some cases, it may be helpful to have a team composed of engineers with both perspectives working together on big projects. What to look for in an answer:

• A clear and concise answer
• Balance in their skills and knowledge
• Respect for both sides of the profession

Biomedical engineers must understand every aspect of their job, including areas like systems physiology. This question gives interviewers an opportunity to gauge candidates' understanding of underlying principles of the profession. A skilled biomedical candidate will have an in-depth understanding of systems physiology, its influence on the development of pharmaceutical products and prosthetics and its applications in modeling and experimentation. The candidate's answer should emphasize:

• Professionalism
• A deep understanding of biomedical engineering
• Pharmaceuticals and prosthetics development