TechNation: Best of the Best

A Look at the Top Biomeds, Departments and Issues From 2014

Throughout the year, TechNation shines a spotlight on the good work that is done by HTM professionals and their departments. To wrap up the year, TechNation takes a look back at some of those individuals and departments who were featured throughout the year. In the year ahead, TechNation will shine the spotlight of recognition on many more HTM professionals and departments as they contribute to patient safety and patient recovery and are at the core of the nation’s healthcare system.

TechNation will also hit on some of the highlights of the year that affect HTM professionals.

In some studies of employees, it is the more intangible rewards that motivate people and make them enjoy their work. The HTM profession is not excluded from this reality.

Without HTM professionals, medical technology would be useless. There could not be healing without the contributions of HTM professionals. Recognizing and spotlighting the important work of biomeds and clinical engineers ensures that those professionals get the attention they deserve.

In addition to the positive impact of HTM professionals during 2014, there were other events, products and regulations worth mentioning. Safer connectors, cybersecurity and a ruling on power strips were all big news items for HTM professionals and healthcare providers.

Also during the year, AAMI continued to work on its Career Ladder project. And, the TechNation Webinar Wednesday program saw real success. The MD Expo Orlando broke attendance records and an exchange for imaging professionals was launched at the first-ever Imaging Expo.

Recognition

In an article called “The Ten Ironies of Motivation,” from 1999, author Bob Nelson stated; “Study after study has shown that praise and recognition motivates employees to put forth their best efforts and to perform at higher levels.” Many studies support this contention and point out that recognition and praise are very important to employees. While people expect to be compensated for the work they do, it is recognition for that work, and achievements on the job, that are truly meaningful to every working person.

People want to be noticed for doing good work. While hospitals and healthcare systems have found ways to recognize the achievements of their employees, publications can carry that appreciation to a national audience of the employee’s peers.

Often, it is the HTM professional who takes on a special project or gets additional certifications or skills, who might stand out. Sometimes, it’s the biomed who volunteers, using his or her skill set to help others. Other times, it’s the clinical engineer who spends extra time helping out their colleagues. In some cases, it may be an HTM professional who has also served our country. There are many reasons why individual HTM professionals are featured in TechNation.

Professional of the Year

Robert Preston, CBET, A+, lead technician at St. Anthony Hospital, was featured as a Professional of the Month in TechNation. Preston is a good example of the people nominated by their peers; a biomed who has met challenges, a former officer in his biomed association and a former U.S. Army biomed who also volunteers his time to help others.

One of the early graduates of tri-service biomed training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Preston benefited from the program’s intense curriculum.

Preston’s colleagues and fellow association members describe him as “committed,” “passionate,” “dependable” and “dedicated.”

Like many of his HTM colleagues around the country, Preston had the experience of setting up a new hospital. He helped his department parse the difficult task of determining vendors for equipment. Also, as a former vice president and secretary for the Colorado Association of Biomedical Equipment Technicians (CABMET), Preston was the go-to guy for the group’s annual symposium. A fellow CABMET member, Dave Scott, said; “He helped make the CABMET Symposium what it is today. He would always say, ‘Next year is going to be even better.’ ”

Preston was also featured in March 2014 for his volunteer work in Vietnam that included setting up medical equipment at Bach Mai Hospital in Saigon and coordinating a symposium to train biomeds in Vietnam.

At the fall MD Expo in Orlando, Fla., Preston was presented with the TechNation Professional of the Year award.

Click here to read the entire article on TechNation.