By K. Richard Douglas
A steady paycheck is a good reason to enter the HTM profession and that was part of the motivation for Daniel Tayag, CBET. Tayag is currently a senior biomedical technician in the Clinical Engineering/Biomedical Services Department at Providence Newberg Medical Center in Newberg, Oregon. However, he had no idea what he was getting into.
“I actually didn’t know what biomed was back when I first started. I was honestly at the end of a job with an authorized retailer of AT&T and the Oregonian (newspaper company) and the roller coaster of wages throughout each month as a salesperson was not the ideal steady income I wanted for my future and whether I had enough for the month,” he says.
Tayag says that one day, at the time, he went to his uncle’s house and got lectured for the 100th time.
“The normal high expectations coming from a Filipino background while all your other cousins and siblings were ‘making it,’ ” Tayag says.
He says that his uncle knew he was a tinkerer and loved to know the inner workings of any mechanical/electrical device and asked; “Why don’t you become a biomed?”
“Initially, apprehensive with the idea of school and homework and just shrugging it off per usual, I went along with my day and flooded through social media everyone graduating and getting degrees and making a better life for themselves. Feeling envious of those around me I turned to researching what biomed was and enrolled the same day,” Tayag adds.
Initially, he didn’t really have a lot of direction on what classes he needed to take through Portland Community College (PCC), but his goal was to become a biomed.
“I connected with one of the PCC counselors and she did a phenomenal job of guiding me through my entire program curriculum and, fortunately, what solidified it for me was getting the last slot into the program for ‘Electronic Engineering Technology’ with a focus on biomedical engineering. Near the end of the program, we had to sign up to go through a 330-hour internship program with a hospital or medical program. After completing my program and internship, I was offered a position within the company, and I sought out to become certified as a biomed,” Tayag says.
He says that he took CBET exam prep classes through OHSU every Saturday for about three months and that helped him take the proctored exam which was 165 questions with a three-hour limit.
“I passed on my first attempt and became a candidate and eventually certified after two years of full-time employment as a biomed. As I progressed throughout my career I was sent through several formal and informal service technical trainings with different medical devices,” Tayag adds.
PROJECTS, CHALLENGES AND SUBARUS
Tayag is now a senior biomed who has racked up experience in both field service and in-house positions. He has faced some challenges during his career.
One challenge was meeting the service needs of two hospitals at the same time, while maintaining and building relationships with the people that work on the floors with patients.
“I learned that they tend to be more understanding and willing when you are able to learn about caregivers as people other than just as someone that works on the floor. ‘How is your day going,’ ‘Do you have any fun plans this weekend’ and any fun things you can learn about a person; it helps them feel seen, as well as appreciated,” Tayag says.
He says that early in his career, developing a metrology lab was difficult, weeks of coming in extra early to navigate the software programming with developers in London and writing procedures to hit all the mandatory requirements to fully certify equipment was difficult, but he learned a lot.
“Within the hospital, I am always in a project it feels like,” Tayag says.
Projects have included efforts to minimize N20 waste within several Providence facilities, converting anesthesia machines to accept portable N20 cylinders and mapping, programming and setting up Philips telemetry systems within hospitals.
He says that with all projects, there is preplanning. He is involved in the initial stages of the project as well as troubleshooting obstacles that may arise during implementation.
“Especially when it comes to a new clinic opening up, is when it becomes challenging. Providing and communicating what devices suit their needs,” Tayag says.
Off the job, Tayag loves to learn new things and take up new hobbies.
“In my free time, when I’m not at work I enjoy building cars, particularly Subarus. I am part of a car group. I like to participate in local car events and take part in drag races at our local track as well as free spirited drives with my crew members: Exhilaration Crew!” he says.
He says fitness is another hobby he enjoys and he tries to stay active and workout. He also does climbing indoors, top rope and bouldering, snowboarding and hiking.
“I love to travel, try different restaurants and create digital journals of my favorite places,” Tayag says.
Regarding family, he says that being Filipino; if you know, you know.
“I have a massive family. I have a baby boy on the way! Baby Mylo, due the day after my birthday February 19. Also, a special shout out to my nieces – Anneli, Diana, True and my nephew Kai. Uncle Daniel loves you,” Tayag says.
Tayag has real gratitude for being a part of the HTM profession and those who contributed to where he is today.
“I am passionate about what I do and I am appreciative of every single opportunity and person that lead me to where I am now,” he says. “I honestly couldn’t have done it without you all! Thank you!”
What can be better than a steady paycheck and doing something that you enjoy?
Biometrics
Favorite book:
“Pride and Prejudice”
Favorite MOVIE:
“The Pursuit of Happiness” and “Demon Slayer”
Favorite FOOD:
I’m known to eat, so favorite food is difficult, but I would say “free food.” I’m always eating.
Hidden talent:
I’m a jack of all trades but a master at none. I love to cook and create new dishes.
Favorite part of being a biomed?
The feeling of doing my part in the grand scheme of helping others!
Why do you read TechNation?
I read TechNation because I always learn something new; there are so many resources on every page that I feel very appreciative of.
