The Biomed Boot Camp

Motivation flagging somewhat? Are you feeling isolated, and unappreciated? Have you given up caring? Perhaps, then, you need to consider re-charging your batteries by having a go at the “Biomed Boot Camp”! I'm wondering whether there's enough here to lay down the foundations of a book. Topics covered may include (and others may be added by popular request):-

1) How, and when, to be assertive (eg, how to deal with the likes of Nurse Diesel).

2) How to work more-or-less continuously (ie, by pacing yourself and taking short breaks).

3) How, and when, to “go the extra mile”.

4) How to decide when, and how much, goodwill jobs are appropriate.

5) How to adopt, and carry through, the “biomed mind-set”.

6) How to take ownership of each job you accept, and techniques for seeing it through to completion.

7) How to maintain high standards even when working alone, and in isolation.

8) How to instil “pride of ownership” in the hearts and minds of equipment users.

9) How to be into “tech” on a total lifestyle basis.

10) How to maintain the moral high ground when others have already “fled the field”.

11) How to behave ethically in the presence of patients (ie, be human, but sometimes there’s a lot to be said for not saying a lot)!

12) How to be content with earning “just enough to keep going”.

13) How to appear competent even when you have not seen a piece of kit before.

14) How to find the patience to carry on preaching to users the message of good equipment management.

15) How to improvise when the preferred tools and test equipment are not available.

16) How to avoid becoming a victim (eg, of abuse, violence or infection).

17) How to remain humble when you are the most qualified, or experienced, man in the room.

18) How to focus on the sick and needy when you are not feeling so good yourself.

19) How to survive on hospital food.

20) How to repair equipment only with materials available in the local market.

21) How to stay motivated when surrounded by incompetence, rudeness and sheer idiocy.

22) How to prevail in depressing environments.

23) How to maintain high technical standards when confronted by the low quality work or others.

24) How to insist upon removing the covers of every piece of new equipment encountered (ie, in order to have a look inside)!

25) How to avoid being hassled into rushing, whilst still working efficiently and effectively.

26) How to motivate yourself to work out-of-hours when others are goofing off.

27) How to forget your worries by immersing yourself in your work.