08 Sep Fixing What Heals: Andy’s Career as a Biomedical Engineer Technician
Sometimes, the people who make the biggest difference in healthcare are not the ones you see in the exam room. They are the ones who make sure every medical device works exactly as it should. Andy is one of those people. As a Biomedical Engineer Technician, he keeps critical hospital equipment running smoothly so doctors and nurses can focus on saving lives.
Andy repairs everything from blood pressure machines and IV pumps to heart monitors and X-ray units. His work touches nearly every corner of a hospital, both inpatient and outpatient. “It’s very important for doctors to be able to do their job,” Andy said, “and every piece of equipment needs to work right.”
His path to this career started at MiraCosta College, where he completed a six-month vocational program while juggling a full-time night job. “It was totally worth it,” Andy shared. “Not just for the paycheck, but because I’m helping people. I was a medical assistant before, but now I help on a bigger scale by fixing the equipment that impacts so many lives.”
Andy’s decision to pursue trade training instead of a four-year degree paid off quickly. The cost was manageable, and as he put it, “I made it back in my first two paychecks.”
For those considering this field, Andy’s advice is simple: follow your curiosity and your skills. “If you have a knack for fixing cars or figuring out how things work, this trade might be for you,” he said. “And no matter what you do in the hospital, treat it like it’s your family because one day you might be on the other end of the device.”
At 29, Andy is proud of his career choice and the difference he makes every day.
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