Jun Yoshioka1,2, Keiko Fukuta2,Hiroki Igeta2, Takeshi Ifuku2,Tadayuki Kawasaki2
中国医疗设备. 2016, 31(9): 1-4.
Japanese clinical engineer (CE) is a significant and unique profession compared with other
nations with its dual clinical and technology focus and national licensing. The CE system of licensing
was established in May 1987 under the Clinical Engineers Act. CEs are required to complete 3 to 4 years
in designated schools and pass a national examination. It is a professional medical position responsible
for the operation and maintenance of life-support and non-life-support medical device systems under the
direction of physicians. Currently approximately 70 educational institutes - including technical colleges
and universities - provide diverse and wide-ranging curricula from engineering to various clinical
disciplines to produce CEs. Since clinical practice training is mandatory as a part of institute work, an
important approach for CEs is gained by working in hospitals. The comprehensive curricula and the
licensing system in Japan together serve to keep the appropriate quantity and quality of CEs. The Japan
Association for Clinical Engineers (JACE) was established in February 1990; one of its aims is to support
improvement of CEs throughout their careers through various lectures, seminars, on-the-job trainings,
workshops, and an annual member meeting. New CEs can now take advantage of video e-learning. For
junior CEs, there are seminars for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, blood purification, heart-lung bypass,
respiratory therapy, operating room, intensive care unit, arrhythmia and aphaeresis related devices, as
well as healthcare technology management (HTM). Also, the institutes provide a leadership seminar
alongside this clinical practice training. Besides the licensing process, a proper certification system for
CEs is a critical element in the clinical field. This enhances the ability of CEs to engage in more extensive
duties and develop specialties, as well as to provide better healthcare. Associated societies provide
certification with technology qualifications in dialysis, extracorporeal circulation, respiratory therapy,
clinical medical devices, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and aphaeresis treatment. JACE also launched a
unique certification system in 2010, with specializations in blood purification, arrhythmia, respiratory,
and hyperbaric oxygen care. What is the difference between certification by the associated societies
and that offered by JACE? Certification by the associated societies provides basic knowledge to pass
specialty examinations. Certifications by JACE promote deeper knowledge to enhance clinical decisionmaking
and to encourage wider experience. JACE also continues to investigate other certifications. In
summary, Japan has introduced a national licensing system for keeping an intake of constant quality and
quantity of CEs. Additionally, ongoing workshops and seminars stimulate in-depth knowledge and a
higher level of medical care for patients. Together, a system of lifelong education for CEs has been built.
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