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Jacob K. Perez is a graduate of Marquette University and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering-Biomedical. He currently serves as a senior biomedical engineer with ProHealth Care. TechNation recently found out more about Perez.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in the small town of South Elgin, Illinois. It is west of Chicago and Schaumburg, but is still considered a suburb of Chicago.
Q: Where did you receive your HTM training/education?
A: Besides through the universities, I have received training through the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for specific devices/systems, with the main two being GE HealthCare and Dräger.
Q: How did you first discover HTM?
A: After graduating (in 2020 during the COVID pandemic), I applied for a HTM position through Aurora, specializing in “Health at Home” equipment.
Q: How did you choose to get into this field?
A: Growing up, my parents wanted my brothers and I to either specialize in medicine or engineering. When I was in high school, I decided to get my CNA certification as my mom was getting her RN degree. I was also taking a PLTW course that assisted in piquing my interest in the engineering side. I do like the design/engineering side of medical equipment, but I’m more of a hands-on and troubleshooting kind of guy.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: When dealing with equipment, I love the testing part and working across departments. Whenever I fix an issue with a device, I always test it to make sure everything works properly. With some equipment, there are not any patient simulators, so I have the most fun when I test on myself. I also enjoy knowing that procedures I come up with are the most time-efficient way of testing.
Q: What interests you the most about HTM?
A: Building and planning time-efficient procedures for testing/maintenance, being able to work on projects and collaborating with other departments – especially when it comes to new equipment and setups.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in your field thus far?
A: Being able to specialize in DCAR systems such as EKG and stress lab equipment. When issues arise with these types of equipment at any hospital location and/or clinic, I get the final look to determine if the device requires depot service or if I can fix it.
Q: What goals do you have for yourself in the next 5 years?
A: Within my field, I always look towards improving the department as a whole. I like to be involved in any way I can be and being an “all-round” person helps with that.
