From not knowing the field existed to becoming a BMET II, how an apprenticeship shaped my path in HTM.
By Andy Addington, BMET II at TRIMEDX
Three years ago, I had never heard the term “BMET.” I didn’t know the field of healthcare technology management (HTM) existed. Today, I’m a biomedical equipment technician (BMET) II—responsible for making sure critical medical equipment is available and safe for patient care. It’s incredible to look at how my professional life changed, all because I took a chance on an apprenticeship program in an unknown field.
Before I joined TRIMEDX as an apprentice, I was looking for something new. I had just earned my degree in cognitive science related to psychology, but if I wanted to continue down that career path, I’d have to dedicate more years of my life to schooling, which I knew wasn’t right for me. What appealed to me was learning something new while getting paid to do it.
When I came across AAMI’s BMET Apprenticeship program, sponsored by TRIMEDX, I decided to give it a shot. I entered the field without knowing much about it, but the more I learned, the more its purpose resonated with me.
Learning By Doing—From Day One
I walked into the shop on my first day, not knowing what to expect. When someone from the team told me to grab scrubs and head to an operating room with them, I initially thought they were joking. But I soon found myself in scrubs, looking through OR windows and learning about how we help the clinicians who are saving lives. It was overwhelming, but I always felt supported.
As I began my journey as an apprentice, every technician on my team took the time to walk me through what they did, explain why it mattered, and answer even the most basic questions. I spent a lot of time tagging along, helping when I could, and learning from the experienced team members.
Building Skills and Confidence
Over time, I developed technical skills. I learned how different devices work and how to troubleshoot issues when they arise. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the confidence I gained. Every problem became an opportunity to learn.
Early on, I would run into an issue and have no clue where to start. I’d never seen it before. So, I’d lean on my teammates, pay close attention, and work with them to solve each problem. When I saw that same issue later, I would know exactly how to approach it. That consistent, real-life exposure—paired with mentorship and hands-on experience—helped me quickly become more independent and capable.
About a year into the 24-month program, I started to really take on more responsibilities. I was assigned my own equipment and departments, which made my eventual transition to BMET II feel seamless instead of overwhelming. By the time I completed the program and officially became a BMET II, my day-to-day did not look dramatically different. I had already been doing the job. I knew the equipment. I knew the hospital. I knew the team.
Making a Real Impact on Patient Care
One moment that vividly stands out in my mind involved a call from the pediatric intensive care unit early in my BMET apprenticeship. A pacemaker was being used on a baby, but the pacing spikes weren’t displaying correctly on the monitor. Those readings were critical for the care team to properly treat the baby.
A senior technician and I worked through the issue together. We kept digging until we found a solution. Knowing that an infant was depending on our work put everything into perspective. The incident still reminds me why our work matters.
Building a Career Through Hands-on Learning
For people who are curious, adaptable, and constantly willing to learn, an apprenticeship is an incredible opportunity. While the job of ensuring medical equipment is ready and reliable may be intimidating to some people, you don’t have to have all the answers right away. The BMET apprenticeship program at TRIMEDX is about continual growth and development.
HTM is a great fit for people who enjoy troubleshooting, problem-solving, and doing meaningful work that supports patient care. The need for BMETS is significant—more than 7,000 BMET job openings are expected each year in the US, while only about 400 students graduate from BMET programs annually. Medical equipment is in every hospital. It must work every time. That creates long-term career opportunities, job security, and room to grow in many different directions.
The apprenticeship showed me what’s possible when you’re given the chance to learn on the job, with the right support around you. Even though I’ve completed the apprenticeship program and moved into a BMET II role, I’m still learning something new every single day. It’s one of the things I enjoy most about this field. I may not have known this career existed before, but now I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
Photo caption: Andy Addington, BMET II at TRIMEDX
Photo credit: TRIMEDX
