Sometimes, HTM professionals make it into the professional spotlight not only for what they do on the job, but based on a combination of things. There are many biomeds who volunteer their time away from work as well.
Ben Fletcher, BMET II, a biomedical engineer with Aramark Healthcare Technologies, who works at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia, is a good example.
Fletcher remembers that he was looking for something that would offer him a career and not just a job when he chose to become a biomed.
“I wanted something that would challenge me and push me to think outside the box,” he says.
“I was formally trained at Albany Technical College where I received certification in electronics fundamentals, computer electronics, industrial electronics, telecommunications, and biomedical engineering,” he adds.
Working for Aramark since the start, he started his career nine years ago via an internship with Phoebe Putney. One of Fletcher’s instructors at Albany Technical College had worked in the biomed department at Phoebe Putney and Aramark was the contracted biomed provider there already.
“Being that I had already completed several programs in the electronisc field, when I was presented with the opportunity to learn more about biomed, I gladly accepted the challenge,” Fletcher recalls. “My instructor introduced me to this field and also connected me with the internship where I was later hired as a full-time employee.”
Fletcher never looked back as he built upon his knowledge and training at the facility.
facing Challenges
These days, Fletcher is the biomed assigned to the OR at his hospital.
“I am trained on the Aestiva 5 anesthesia machine; I have some on-the-job training on ventilators and I received my certificate of completion for the superDimension inReach system PM service training program in November of 2014,” he says.
He has faced challenges on and off the job. Fletcher lost both parents to colon cancer; his dad in April of 2013 and his mom in May of this year.
“It was a challenge to walk back into Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital knowing that this is where they both took their last breath, but with the help of God, family and friends, I was able to keep pressing forward,” he says.
After facing that kind of life-changing experience, the trials that face him as an HTM professional are far less daunting.
“The (work) challenges I have faced have not been great in number, but each has taught me something new not only about the job but also about myself,” Fletcher says.
“My initial challenge began [by] trying to learn more about the field and familiarize myself with the verbiage and language that this field entailed,” he adds. “Also, when I began working full time in the OR as the main biomed, there were several pieces of equipment that I was not familiar with that I had to learn.”
“One of the main pieces was autoclaves, as this is an essential piece in the OR. Another challenge I faced was learning the correct persons to communicate with regarding the status of equipment that was down for repair and learning to give status updates,” Fletcher adds.
Away from Work
A trip to Nigeria in 2006 still provides good memories for Fletcher. It was an eye-opening adventure that put life in the U.S. in a new perspective. Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous country, sits on the continent’s west coast. It borders the Gulf of Guinea. The country’s population is 40 percent Christian.
“My church traveled to Lagos, Nigeria in September 2006 for a mission trip there with a local pastor. The pastor became a part of our ministry fellowship, which is entitled International Covenant Fellowship (ICF),” Fletcher explains.
“The church in Lagos is named Lion of Judah Lagos and my church traveled to be a part of their Crusaders Conference. While there, I was able to see how much I have taken something as simple as having clean drinking water, traffic lights, air conditioning and a stable electrical grid for granted,” Fletcher says. “Also, while there, we were able to fellowship with some of the local people, and also interact with some of the children that lived in the orphanage the pastor ran.”
Fletcher recalls that it was amazing to see the smiles on the children’s faces even though they did not have a lavish lifestyle.
“As far as the church services, the churches were not as nicely decorated as some are here in America. Though this is the case, the people still worshipped God and enjoyed themselves in the services,” Fletcher says. “Overall, the trip was a great experience that I have learned from and will remember for the rest of my life.”
Back in the U.S., Fletcher enjoys spending time with his family.
“I have been married to my beautiful wife, Stephanie, for nine years, currently we have no kids but one godchild,” he adds. “I have one sister Kerpasha Davis who is married and has three children.”
Watching college and pro football is one of Fletcher’s favorite pastimes, along with playing video games. He says that the PlayStation consoles are the best.
“I travel extensively with my church Lion of Judah International Ministries to help encourage people in our sister churches here in the U.S. and in Lagos Nigeria,” he adds.
There is little doubt that Fletcher’s priorities in life have benefited him throughout his biomed career.
“What I would like for TechNation readers to know about me is that I believe in faith, family, hard work, and teamwork. I would not be where I am without God and a great cast of family, friends and co-workers,” he says.
