Courtney Kinkade, workforce strategy director at TRIMEDX, recently contributed an article to 24x7 Magazine, AAMI, and Quality Digest about how apprenticeship programs can strengthen the clinical engineering industry, while providing non-traditional candidates access to meaningful careers. The full article is below.
In a time where Americans already owe more than $1.6 trillion in student loans and the cost of college continues to rise, some young people are defying the traditional route of a four-year degree. Established professionals looking for a career change aren’t necessarily going back to college. Instead, many are turning to trade schools or apprenticeships—drawn by the promise of practical skills, hands-on experience, and immediate entry into solid careers.
After launching our apprenticeship program two years ago and seeing its success, TRIMEDX has committed to expanding the program to include more apprentices this fall. This year the program is growing to seven apprentices hosted at a variety of facilities throughout the country.
During National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 17-23, 2024, TRIMEDX is proud to celebrate its investment in the next generation of BMETs through the TRIMEDX/AAMI BMET Apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship programs not only help provide lasting and meaningful careers to driven individuals, but they also strengthen the clinical engineering industry and address workforce challenges.
Hands-on Training and College-Level Education
Many people are unaware of career options within clinical engineering. Apprenticeship programs that include on-the-job training and fully paid educational courses attract workers looking for meaningful careers that don’t require an expensive investment or lengthy time commitment prior to getting started. Apprenticeship programs offer an alternative path to a stable, fulfilling career and open the door to non-traditional candidates.
After graduating high school, one TRIMEDX BMET apprentice immediately began working in the construction industry. He stayed in the field for more than 15 years before deciding it wasn’t what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Another worked elsewhere in a hospital while always eyeing a BMET position, but not knowing how to break into the field. TRIMEDX/AAMI’s apprenticeship program allowed the associate to transition their career in the direction they had hoped with a full stack of training resources and support.
In partnership with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), the TRIMEDX/AAMI Apprenticeship program combines traditional education with up to 6,000 hours of on-the-job learning. Apprentices complete hands-on training in a hospital with a clinical engineering team and complete college-level courses, the cost of which are all covered by TRIMEDX.
Apprentices learn from experienced BMETs and other professionals in the HTM field. They gain experience working on many different medical devices and equipment and in a variety of specialties within the industry.
When they graduate from the program, apprentices are eligible for a BMET position. Thanks to their two years of hands-on experience, they will be equipped to address real-world problems in real time, making them more confident and competent at work.
Cultivating a Skilled Workforce
The demand for BMETs is on the rise, but there are not enough qualified BMETs to meet the need. Also, technical evolutions of biomedical technician careers is changing the way they work. More than 7,000 additional BMETs are needed each year, but BMET programs are only graduating less than 400 per year. Investing in apprenticeship programs allows organizations to bridge the gap by training individuals from the ground up and instilling advanced technical capabilities from the start.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) notes apprenticeships empower workers of all ages to “acquire new skills, reskill, and upskill throughout their lives.”
Apprenticeship programs can help create a steady pipeline of well-trained, job-ready BMETs. This proactive approach reduces the need for further on-the-job training, because apprentices have already learned the skills, systems, and equipment through their program.
A valuable tool to recruit and retain talent
While apprenticeship programs are a significant investment for organizations, they help foster workplace loyalty. Apprentices are more likely to feel committed to an employer who is invested in their success and development.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 90% of apprentices retain employment after they complete a Registered Apprenticeship, and employers see a $1.44 return on average for every $1 invested in their apprenticeship program. TRIMEDX has found the apprenticeship program allows local site managers to reach out to community members seeking a career change. Finding local talent in markets where BMETs are especially needed increases long-term retention as well.
Enhancing Quality of Care and Patient Safety
BMETs ensure medical equipment and devices are reliable, effective, and safe for patients and clinicians. Apprenticeships allow BMETs to witness firsthand the importance of safety and accuracy in the field. By training apprentices to uphold rigorous safety standards and adhere to protocols and policies, organizations help safeguard patients and improve their care.
Apprentices also build relationships with mentors in their hospital, who offer supervision, advice, and “tricks of the trade” that reduce the opportunity for errors while they are learning. These relationships last long after the program is over.
Investing in BMET apprenticeships is a vital part of cultivating the next generation of talent. The value goes far beyond individual career growth—apprenticeships also benefit healthcare organizations, improve patient safety, and develop a more skilled workforce. As demand for BMETs grows, apprenticeships offer a solution that builds an expert and loyal workforce.