If you can commit to following the five core responsibilities of field
service technicians in the medical sector, you may find that this
interesting role is designed for you.
1. Assist in the installation and implementation of new devices
Field technicians have the exciting responsibility of installing and
implementing new medical devices, often seeing them put to use for the very
first time during an event call a “go-live”. To do this, they must be
familiar with the tools and mechanics of the devices they have been assigned
to, as well of having a good understanding of the flow of patient care and
the flexibility that is needed when implementing new equipment devices in a
functioning healthcare environment, thereby ensuring a smooth set-up and
operation. This is where they get to work with healthcare professionals who
will use the devices to do ground-breaking medical work, improving patient
outcomes on an astronomical scale.
2. Perform regular preventative maintenance on devices
Another responsibility is the ongoing maintenance of equipment. Medical
field technicians, for example, are tasked to do bi-annual or yearly
preventative maintenance on medical devices, as determined by manufacturer
and governmental regulations. These scheduled events ensure that the device
is safe for use on a patient through a battery of tests specific to the
device ranging from ground leakage tests, visual inspections, lead leakage,
and many more. On top of ensuring patient safety, this helps to limit
unforeseen breakdowns and prevents unnecessary expenditure, as proven in
UMEA University’s 2022 analyses
of preventative maintenance in medical equipment.
It also provides technicians with opportunities to proactively order and
maintain the stock parts and tools needed for repairs.
3. Be on standby to troubleshoot and repair existing devices
Often field technicians are requested to be on standby to provide phone and
on-site support in an effort to speedily troubleshoot and repair devices,
ensuring streamlined use and an unwavering healthcare system. Depending on
the urgency of the issue, and the mission criticality of the malfunctioning
device, a field technician may even be requested to travel out of town in
emergency situations. Knowledge of device and system functions and outputs
are essential to providing solutions to healthcare providers.
At this point, the field technician is required to fill out an after action
report that will be collected by the manufacturer so they can use the
feedback to improve products as well as track common issues that have been
found while that model of device is in service.
4. Maintain relationships with clients to streamline troubleshooting and
repairs
Communication is key in this job role , and field technicians are generally expected to liaise with clients to
ensure the smooth functioning of equipment and devices. This includes
requesting feedback on performance, asking clients to replicate actions
leading to fault-finding, and sharing knowledge on the medical devices to
help clients use them to the best of their abilities. Some technicians may
even be asked to communicate with
medical sales reps , helping to navigate continuous customer flow.
5. Help accelerate results by ensuring smooth operations and alternative
solutions in times of crises
This last core responsibility incorporates all the points we share above.
Field technicians must be able to manage situations smoothly and
confidently, often with out-of-the-box thinking that will help speed up
repairs and maintenance without reducing the quality or output of the
medical devices. From having the right tools readily available and in good
order to knowing how to organize the efficient delivery of parts, field
technicians must be able to streamline their role to ensure clients and
patients receive the best, most efficient services.
Expand your career with field service technician jobs at IQVIA
IQVIA offers the life sciences industry advanced analytics, technology
solutions, and clinical research services. We are leaders in our sector and
pride ourselves in facilitating healthcare globally. To offer a thorough
service, we employ field service technicians who can maintain our high
standards, thus providing opportunities for technicians to advance their
technical skills and become part of the fast-growing, in-demand medical
field.
If you have the skills and this sounds like the career for you, we invite
you to explore
field service technician vacancies
at IQVIA. Our dedicated team is ready to answer any questions and will
happily help you find a role you will enjoy.
