Many techs that I have met or know are outstanding at technical skills and learn new technical skills easily. Most of them like to go to manufacturer training or some other kind of technical training class so they can improve their proficiency on different types of equipment. However, I have noticed the biggest thing that many BMETs struggle with is communication and customer interaction. Most techs are awesome at repairing equipment. Sometimes the customer doesn’t know that it has even been repaired until they go to use it. That is where the problem lies – communication.
When I was a younger tech I worked with senior techs and I was always amazed at how well most of them could talk to customers and tell them what was going on with their medical equipment repair status in a way the customer could understand. It didn’t seem that difficult to me, until I tried it myself.
How can you improve this non-technical skill? One of the ways that I have tried to become better at this is to challenge myself. I am involved in our local biomed association. I can tell you first hand it is very intimidating as a young tech to get up in front of a large group of techs. I still remember the first meeting when I had to speak about something. I was shaking and couldn’t remember what I was saying! I was worried about what all these techs, that I had so much respect for, would think of me. It was a challenge I made to myself because I knew it would help me with talking to people including other technicians, nurses and doctors. It helped me build my confidence in myself enough to talk to almost anyone.
You might have seen the CABMET study group that I run for the biomed association. I can tell you that it doesn’t come natural for me. To me that is another way of challenging myself. I have been doing that study group for going on 12 years and it is still very difficult for me to cover the electronics presentation. I normally have another person, who instructs electronics at a local community college, do it for the group. However when he is not able to do it or I’m doing it for the MD Expo I have to step up and do it myself. It is still intimidating to me to be in front of a room full of techs, I am sure most of them know more about a certain type or brand of equipment than I do. Usually I try to learn from them when they are willing to share. I can get through it thanks to my experience with former presentations and from talking with customers.
This brings me to another point and the idea behind this article – how to get continuing education points. Many community colleges offer speech classes. These classes are great for teaching you what you need to know to make a speech.
Recertification points for taking a speech class fall under the category of Academic/Vocational course at a university or college. For these classes, the attendee is able to get one point per academic hour. Most of these courses are three or more credit hours. There are other employee development courses that offer customer relations and these can help also.
Remember to always challenge yourself. That is how you improve. And remember to keep your recertification journal up to date.
