On May 7, 2008 Tom Citak conducted a Power Point presentation on biomedical equipment technology to a number of high school students enrolled in the electronics/computer and health occupations curriculum at the Warwick Career & Technical Center in Warwick, Rhode Island. Tom was joined by John Clancy, BMET III and Bob Harbick, Biomedical Manager at Roger Williams Medical Center. Together they displayed an assortment of various types of medical equipment and biomedical test equipment to demonstrate to students. Tom conducted the Power Point show complete with a variety of photos depicting BMET’s working on medical items ranging from electrosurgical units to high end radiological devices. The objective was to offer high school students awareness in the diversity of opportunities available in biomedical equipment technology.

The Warwick Career Center is available to all students enrolled in high schools located throughout the state of Rhode Island. Real Carpentier, instructor for electronics/computer technology, now wants to include biomedical technology as an integral part of his curriculum next year. Tom’s team has plans to assist him with securing viable, donated medical equipment and biomedical test equipment to make this possible. He has also accepted their invitation to devote time this summer at both facilities to learn more about biomeds roles. The Health Occupations instructor said she did not know there was anyone in hospitals actually doing this type of repair and thought the presentation was very informative. Tom’s team will also stage medical equipment in her department too.

This is the second high school within the past two years that Tom has presented such a demonstration to create awareness of the biomedical profession. Topics discussed were “What is Biomedical Equipment Technology”, “What Do Biomedical Technicians Do”, “How Does One Become A BMET” (discussions on various colleges in the U.S.), “Hands-On Interim Programs”, “What Knowledge Will I Gain Through Such A Program”, “Current Job Opportunities”, “What Biomedical Managers Are Looking For When Hiring A BMET”.

Tom Citak and Bob Harbick discussed different scenarios that BMET’s may encounter during a normal shift in a hospital environment and described why working as a team player is integral to any successful endeavor. Also, given the opportunity to not just repair “stuff”, but install, train, and calibrate some of the most sophisticated medical equipment on the market today all leads to a more enriched work environment!

Besides working in hospitals, they also showed the students a list of the many medical equipment companies and outsource service organizations where BMET’s may find employment. It was also stressed that there is a national shortage of qualified biomedical equipment technicians and that they would probably never hear the word “layoff”. “The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for biomedical equipment technicians will increase as fast as the average through the year 2014”. Needless to say, many students found this information very enticing. Tom Citak and Bob Harbick would like to venture further and offer a special internship for those students who develop a keen interest in our field. Many students at this stage in their life are just not sure what they want to pursue after high school and by offering them something different like the combined study of electronic technology and life sciences might make the difference in their taking an interest in biomed vs. for instance, a traditional IT path. Tom has also recently been asked by the Community College of Rhode Island to join their advisory committee to offer external input and new ideas associated with revisions to their current electronic and computer engineering programs.

If anyone is willing to donate any electrical safety analyzers or other biomedical test equipment for the high school biomed program you may contact Tom Citak by e-mail at shadow542@verizon.net.

Another avenue where Tom has ventured is to design a universal “biomedical” emblem in the form of a patch.  This depiction of the biomedical “science” has expanded into a beautifully embroidered patch that can be worn on the sleeve of quality shirts along with a hospital or school logo embroidered on the front.   The patches, shirts and multi-colored lab coats are now available for purchase and are displayed on his website at www.biomedicalpatches.com. 

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