Finding Your Place in Healthcare Technology Management
If you have ever visited a hospital or maybe just enjoy watching medical TV shows, then you know there’s a whole lot of “cool looking tech” that aids medical staff in healing people each day.
The equipment found in hospitals not only needs regular maintenance and sterilization but sometimes it requires repairs too! That’s where our Sodexo Clinical Technology Management (CTM) team members come into the picture. Healthcare Technology Management is not only necessary to keep a hospital’s equipment up and running but offers a meaningful career.
As we approach the AAMI Exchange (formerly known as the AAMI Conference & Expo) on June 7th, I spoke with Robert Milward, director for Clinical Technology Management at Sodexo, about his experience in the field.
How did you learn about Healthcare Technology Management?
I didn’t find HTM - it found me. I got out of the Navy in 2008, right at the beginning of the financial crisis. For anyone that remembers, work was hard to come by, but my experience with naval ships and electronics lead me to an offer for an entry-level opportunity repairing ‘pumps’ with a hospital system in Central Florida.
It turns out the ‘pumps’ I would be repairing were not of the naval warship variety but were instead infusion pumps used for medication delivery. From the first day, I knew this was the career for me. Prior to starting in the HTM field, I never thought about the those in the background that maintain hospital medical equipment. HTM employees truly are the behind the scenes super heroes who keep hospitals up and running from an equipment standpoint.
What do your day-to-day typically look like?
What I love about the HTM field is its versatility. Equipment is used in every department in the hospital, which means you may see CTM technicians throughout the facility. Whether a critical issue is happening in the Cath Lab, a capital equipment conversation in the board room, or trauma in the Emergency Room, a member of the HTM community may be there, at any time, helping get equipment for a clinical department operating at optimal efficiency.
How did you start your career at Sodexo?
I have been with Sodexo for two and half years and prior to starting, I had a decision to make between Sodexo or a newer CTM competitor. I remember looking at Sodexo’s footprint and being in awe of its scale and reputation. Everywhere I looked, I read about the great things Sodexo was achieving and knew this was a company with a recipe for success. I also knew I wanted to learn, grow, and work for a company that valued initiative and had the same passion I have for creating a positive effect on others. Even from the outside, I could see Sodexo really took pride in the importance of quality of life for their employees as much as their clients.
Why do you like working for Sodexo?
It’s the culture. Sodexo provides Quality of Life Services but not just for their clients. Employees are an such integral part of the formula for success and there are so many improvement opportunities available. Everything from personal financial planning to certification training and mentoring programs, the value Sodexo places on the quality of life of its employees is not replicated often by other companies.
What advice do you have for someone considering a Healthcare Technology Management career?
The amazing part about an HTM career with Sodexo is improving the quality of life and playing a role in saving lives as well! If you’re considering an HTM career, enjoy helping others, and have a problem-solving mindset, go for it! The HTM field is growing, and Sodexo has the infrastructure and support to help you succeed and the support the team, while continually challenging you to be your best.
(And as an added tip from Robert - the HTM community is full of those who would be happy to share their knowledge and experience. Reach out with your questions, whether in an email or a quick conversation on LinkedIn, to those who are already in the field!).