Q. Do you belong to an HTM Association? Why or why not?
A. From my point of view there isn’t a good reason to not belong to a HTMA, but there are a lot of reasons to be in one. At the very least, being a HTMA member will give you opportunities to receive “local” biomedical training free or at a reduced cost, opportunities to network with other biomedical managers and technicians, a chance to learn an easier way to solve an on-going or troublesome issue with a vendor or a specific piece of equipment, and by just being a participant in HTMA meetings or symposiums you may hear of a biomed job opening that may not be posted yet.
In my 20-plus years as a biomed I’ve belonged to three HTMAs (NESCE, NCBA and SCBA) and each has its own unique way of furthering a biomed’s career by offering incentives to study for the CBET exam. I know that many biomeds refuse to see that by being a CBET additional opportunities will make them more marketable in any career move they may want to make. I truly believe I would have my current BMET III position without being a CBET, but I also believe that by being a CBET my resume was looked at a little bit more because it showed my future employer that I was willing to do more.
To sum this up, I’d say HTMAs will provide a biomed with additional educational opportunities, a chance for networking with other biomeds, and, if looking, job opportunities (either internally or at another hospital).
A. Technically, I still belong to TABETA/MACES, but when our chapter president suddenly left the area and several members that rode with him stopped coming to our meetings, our chapter has been in somewhat of a limbo state. The next nearest association is in Kansas City and meets on days that I have prior commitments. I can’t leave the area, let alone complete a three-hour drive each way.
Now, if I could “attend” a meeting via Skype or something similar, I might consider it, especially if it would still earn points toward for my re-certification.
A. Yes, I belong to an HTMA.
A. I have been a member of our local association and am currently the president of the Baltimore Medical Engineers and Technicians Society. Since I have been a member it is the best for networking with fellow BMETs (HTM) and finding out what is working and what is not by asking if there are similar problems within other hospital organizations.
I feel that being a member of a society or association is a benefit to an individual’s growth and experience. Meeting with younger HTM professionals and teaching them that this is how something is done or not done, while also learning from the older colleagues. The biggest advantage is having an educational format for our members during our monthly meetings to help keep them informed and educated about new and upcoming processes.
If anyone would like to attend one of our monthly meetings – starting in September – please email me personally at cjone100@jhmi.edu.
A. Does anyone know if there is an HTM Association in the State of Florida? If so, where? Also, contact information would be appreciated.
A. Florida has a state society and five chapters: FBS, BAAMI, CFBIS, GCBS, NEFAMI and SFAMI if you visit www.FBSonline.net you can get all the current contacts.
A. I am a part of the IBS (Indiana Biomedical Society). I believe it is a great way to network with vendors during our annual conference, meet new students and those that want to get in, and even meet some of the old birds and learn how easy we have it now compared to before. If you don’t believe me talk to Kelly Vandewalker or Pat Lynch or Manny Roman, they have some great stories. It is also a great opportunity for free education (other than membership fees) as we have vendors provide educational material during our annual conference as well as a mid-year conference and sometimes two other meetings throughout the year. I look at it this way … you can never have enough education or meet enough people.
A. I am a member of the Washington State Biomedical Association. You can find more information at www.bmet.org.
A. I am a member of the Biomedical Society of Western New York. While relatively new and still forming, it’s a casual method for biomeds from the area to meet one another, discuss headaches, see some vendor presentations and gain some knowledge along the way.
A. I am also a member of the WSBA!
A. I belong to the one in Indiana. I have attended the meeting in Indy and have hosted a meeting in southern Indiana. I have been in biomed for over 42 years and the more you know the better. This is another tool for learning.
A. I belong to the NCBA – North Carolina Biomedical Association. Find out more at www.ncbiomedassoc.com.
A. I belong to the Virginia association and the South Carolina association. You can find more information about these groups online at www.vabiomed.org and http://scba.onefireplace.com/.
A. I am a member of the association in Michigan. The website is www.michbmet.com/.
A. I am a member of the California Medical Instrumentation Association Bay Area Chapter.
Q. What department services your electrical/gas booms in the OR rooms in your hospital? Is it the clinical engineering department or the engineering department? Do you know of any guidelines for this?
A. Plant Services.
A. I am a CBET in the clinical engineering department and I service the light booms and engineering services the gas and electrical booms.
A. Quite often, biomed is responsible for everything from the wall out.
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