Positive Lessons from one Engineer’s life as a Biomed

Bryant K. Hawkins Sr. is a Healthcare Technologies Leader based in Louisiana in the United States.
Bryant is the Site Manager for Trimedx and also a Podcaster for HTM on the line. He has been in the healthcare technologies industry for 29 years and in this article he shares the positive lessons from life as a Biomed.

Twenty nine positive lessons from life as a Biomed

Number 1 – Humility

Humility was one of the first lessons I learned in this industry. I completed the BMET program at Delgado Community College in 1993. At that time, there was not a biomed job available in the entire city of New Orleans. I had to humble myself and take a job operating laparoscopic equipment and stocking the Operating Room (OR) department.

Number 2 – A good support system

You need a cheerleader, mentor and a coach.
The cheerleader will keep you motivated.
A good mentor will tell you what you need to hear.
A coach will guide you through a tough situation, and ensure you are successful.
I have that support system in place up to this very day for work and more importantly for life outside work.

Number 3 – Stop thinking I’m the victim

Most people will refuse to take responsibility for the negative circumstances that they are in. Just know that whatever happens to you in a negative way, allows you an opportunity for growth.

Number 4 – Giving unconditionally

If someone on the job is not treating you the way you treat them, continue to be a giver. It can be you giving of your time, knowledge, or self. Continue to give all three. Giving without expectations is a necessity. It will benefit your department, client, and the organisation you work for.

Number 5 – Failure is a blessing

Failure can define us or teach us. I may have learned the most in my biomed career by failing, then by succeeding.
Failing is only a blessing, if you use it to add fire to your drive or passion.

Number 6 – What you are doing in the healthcare industry is important

There is a need for technicians everywhere, so the opportunity for growth is upon us. I’m looking forward to watching how this next generation will solve this staffing need.

Number 7 – Make yourself the best you can be

You can’t hope someone else is going to make you better. They may assist, but you must be the one to do it.
However, just know it is not selfish to put yourself first. When you take time for yourself, you make everything around you better.

Number 8 – Be open to learning from others

Whether you have been in the industry for 30 years or 2 years, you can learn all the time from, for example:
co-workers
a lecture at a trade show
social media.

Number 9 – Forgiveness

Forgiveness means different things to different people. Generally, it involves a decision to let go of resentment.
We have all been there.

Number 10 – Keep a positive mindset

Having a positive mindset, means that you are optimistic about the things around you. Plus, you also expect that good things will happen to you.

Number 11 – Be appreciative or show gratitude

This is the foundation for happiness.
Instead of looking at the glass half empty, look at it as half full.
Working in the healthcare industry, means that we have a job that contributes to saving lives.

Number 12 – You are imperfect

You will not do everything perfectly. The most imperfect thing you may do on the job, if corrected, will help you to be better at your job.

Number 13 – Never stop learning

Whether it’s on the job or in your personal life.
I love photography, I love music and now I’m getting into hosting a podcast. Am I the greatest at them all, probably not? But I’m always learning something about them. Whether it’s professional or personal, don’t ever stop learning.

Number 14 – Be honest with yourself

If you feel things are not going well at work, but you are doing your best, be honest and accept that.
I can personally tell you, I was on a job, and was doing my best, and it never seemed like I was doing enough. I was told, maybe this is just not a good fit for me. You know what, they were right. I was honest enough with myself to admit that. But I came out of that situation a better manager and better family member to my family.

Number 15 – Don’t be afraid to ask for help

This can apply to young technicians and old ones.
Asking for help builds connections by allowing others to share their information and resources.
This in turn shows people that you:
trust their ideas
feel competent in their skills
appreciate their advice
Asking for help allows for the possibility of fresh ideas and perhaps a new perspective on things.

Number 16 – The end goal does matter

Do you know what the end goal is?
An end goal is the main goal you set to finish at the end of a series of smaller goals.
For example, if you are a new Biomedical Engineer. Your end goal can be, in 5 years I want to be an Imaging Engineer.
Now you set smaller goals to lead up to that end goal.
For example:
work on a variety of medical equipment in your first year
obtain some equipment manufacturers training on certain equipment
assist the imaging engineer with some service calls
So, these small steps you take will get you to your end goal.

Number 17 – Stop overthinking

Keep things simple.

Number 18 – Be an inspiration and share your positive lessons from life as a Biomed

Share the story of your career. If you can inspire one person from your story, then you are an awe-inspiring individual. Everybody needs to be inspired.

Number 19 – Life is supposed to be hard

If you face difficulties, you will learn how to live.

Number 20 – Action cures anxiety

If you are afraid that you can’t learn how to repair or fix a piece of equipment, what should you do?
Take some type of action. For example:
Stop and take a walk
Clear your mind of the problem
Do some breathing exercises
Ask for help
Just know, action will rid the anxiety.

Number 21 – Take charge of your own happiness

You need to take charge of your own professional and personal development. Your job will assist, but you need to take control. Then you will be happy.

Number 22 – Learn from the young generation

We are living in the age of technology and guess what? The young ones have been dealing with it, almost since birth. Don’t be afraid to learn from them.

Number 23 – Treat others the way you treat yourself

I pride myself on treating any new Biomedical Engineer I come across with an enormous sense of gratitude. I know how it is to start in a profession and feel inadequate. So, I make sure to make them feel welcomed and that I’m glad they are part of the team.

Number 24 – People will lie

Some people will lie to keep their image up, to protect someone else’s feelings, to avoid conflict. The most popular reason is probably to impress people and boost their reputation. Just accept it.

Number 25 – You can’t change people

People can only change themselves, you can’t. I think we all know this quote:
“You can’t change people, but you can change the people you are around.”

Number 26 – Time is the most valuable asset

Time is your most valuable asset so use it wisely.

Number 27 – Don’t allow yourself not to control who you are supposed to be

You write your own story of what your career will be like in the biomedical industry.

Number 28 – We are exactly where we are supposed to be

Our actions led us to where we are. If you are not happy with your career, do something about it.

Number 29 – Change is inevitable

It’s a matter of how you react to it. It will destroy you or make you.
I have been part of a company acquisition, where one company comes in and purchases the company you work for.
I have changed companies and I have changed positions within a company.
How you react to those changes will make you or break you.
Always prepare yourself mentally for change, because it’s not if, but when.

Further reading on positive lessons from life as a Biomed

Who repairs and services the medical equipment in a hospital?

Worth Sharing!