Medical Equipment Repair Technician (MERT) Raphael Torres is truly part of the next generation of HTM. Torres is a college student while also learning on the job at University Hospitals in Ohio.
“Biomeds that don’t have the experience or qualifications to become an ISE (Imaging Service Engineer) 1 can do on-the-job training, learn from the DI team while getting their in-house background learning, as well as going to school to train and gain experience,” is how HTM Imaging Director Josh Nice, with University Hospitals Academic Market & Sodexo USA, explained the MERT position.
TechNation Editor John Wallace quizzed Torres to find out more about how he found HTM as a promising career field.
Q: WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
A: Dominican Republic
Q: WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR HTM TRAINING/EDUCATION?
A: University Hospitals and RSTI
Q: HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER HTM?
A: Edgar Ortega introduced me to the field. I’m grateful for him.
Q: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GET INTO THIS FIELD?
A: You get the satisfaction of engineering with meaning. It’s not just about fixing machines, it’s about ensuring safety, reliability and trust in healthcare systems.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR POSITION?
A: What I like most is that every day is different, there’s always a new problem to solve, which keeps the job interesting and motivates me to keep learning.
Q: WHAT INTERESTS YOU THE MOST ABOUT HTM?
A: What I enjoy the most about HTM is solving technical problems and helping people at the same time.
Q: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR FIELD THUS FAR?
A: My greatest accomplishments have been keeping customers happy through fast problem resolution and strong communication.
Q: WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
A: My goal in the next five years is to grow technically, improve my leadership and communication skills, and contribute at a higher level within HTM.
Fun Facts
Favorite HOBBY:
SkiingFavorite Show or Movie:
CarsFavorite MEAL:
Steak with white rice
What would your superpower be?
Super strong1 Thing on Your Bucket List?
SkydivingSomething your co-workers don’t know about you:
I’m a farm boy back home.
