This month’s issue of TechNation shared the results of the TechNation jobs survey. It contains many very interesting facts and responses from the professional in the field. One comment in particular caught my attention. It hit home with me because I make reference to this in my presentations regarding customer skills.
The comment: “Biomed is often looked at as the odd guys in the basement. Few hospitals appreciate biomed unless it’s an emergency.” Let’s look at a little history on biomed.
Before modern, professionally-managed, healthcare technology management came into existence, biomed was indeed in the basement, next to the morgue. The biomeds were considered jacks-of-all-trades. They did everything that was necessary including shoveling snow. In the modern era of outsourcing, biomeds were no longer expected to do everything since that would cost additional monies to the outsourcer. Biomeds are mostly now considered service professionals and are to be respected. Many in-house biomeds have not yet reached this level of respect.
One thing remains true, however. A major job function is to fix broken stuff. Something breaks and a biomed pops up, grabs the piece of equipment and disappears back to the nether regions of the hospital. So…broke, you, broke you, broke, you.
I have always recommended what most of you call rounding. Show up when things are not broken, say hi, establish relationships, let them see your face and know that you can talk. Your customer is more likely to appreciate you if you can invoke the friendship trigger.
I will moan about the friendship trigger soon, I promise.
Email me with comments and to let me know what you want me to Moan about.
Got a burning question for Manny? Email mannysmoans@mdpublishing.com.
