DECEMBER 202319UNSUNG HEROES IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRYsalaries are, Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. These five states are just above $50,000 per year, however, have higher cost of living expenses. Functioning as a small manufacturing plant, the medical device technician salaries average around the same rates as cashiers, delivery drivers, retail floor staff and restaurant workforces today. The past couple of years, there has been a shortage of qualified medical device reprocessing technicians. Manufacturing companies not associated with healthcare are raising the bar by offering higher starting wages, sign on bonuses and better incentives. Unfortunately, the medical device reprocessing industry has not moved fast enough to compete. Economic inflation and lack of skilled technicians is a growing concern for the healthcare industry. To date, there are just four states that require higher level education and certification; New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. This means that the employees as a minimum requirement must be able to complete an accredited medical device course and pass a national certification exam. The benefit to hiring certified reprocessing technicians addresses many of the issues and concerns within this field. First, people must feel a level of accomplishment and achievement. Testing ones knowledge base and skillset naturally lifts the level of expectation and drive to be more successful in their field of expertise. Happier employees work harder and produce more especially when they feel they have mastered their skills. Skilled professionals improves the organizational workflow and promotes a performance based culture. Certification provides a more professional image for the business. When employees can write their credentials next to their names, it creates a more trust worthy image and shows visual recognition of the accomplishment. Most importantly, certified staff reduces risk and builds confidence in the team's ability to perform with a strong competitive advantage. Neglecting the importance for higher education as a means to continue underpaying medical device reprocessing technicians is a grave mistake and presents risks for poor quality and low performance practices. Higher level education should not be limited to frontline workers. Departmental leaders should also become certified as a technician and a healthcare leader within the organization. Employees rely on their leaders for direct guidance, support and direction, therefore, if the leader's credentials do not correlate with the reprocessing profession, the department is subjected to employee retention challenges, lower morale, inferior skillsets, and reduced productivity as well as various patient safety concerns caused by poorly managed departments. Healthcare industries cannot afford the liability risks and litigation costs associated with hospital acquired infections due to incompetent medical device reprocessing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average cost for hospital acquired infections is $28.4 billion per year and about $12.4 billion a year in loss of productivity and early deaths. Medical device reprocessing is not an industry that can be overlooked, ignored or bypassed. There are great rewards to becoming a medical device reprocessing technician. Especially when working for an organization that expects a higher level patient care, excellent performance measures, and does not ignore or avoid the critical role of medical device reprocessing technicians. There are healthcare facilities that do an excellent job with supporting this field; there needs to be more. Medical device reprocessing technicians are valuable members of the patient care team. The need to empower and encourage individuals looking for a career in healthcare essential and device reprocessing should be considered. The medical device reprocessing field provides many stimulating challenges. The level of skills necessary to perform in excellence justifies the higher wages desperately needed in this industry throughout the country. These heroes deserve our recognition and thanks for all they do. Without skilled, experienced and knowledgeable medical device reprocessors, healthcare systems would not be able to provide superior care to their patientsUNSUNG HEROES IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
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