Part 2 of Enterprise IT Integration, Open to Challenges

In Part 1, Demetrius Dillard discussed that became interested in biomedical equipment technology while in high school; however, he took a different path.  He later came back and took up his current path and is now an equipment integration specialist.  

“That’s a great career walk, Demetrius.  What’s on the road ahead for BIOMETs in general?”

“Possibly, I see the career field being absorbed into informatics because it is essential to nursing.  With everything being integrated into EMRs, you think these two modalities should line up to better facilitate those workflows and services for the customers.”

“Did you plan to transition into the integration role or did it just happen?”

Demetrius Dillard lecturing on vendor and student promotion of professional societies

“One hospital I worked for was going into a full blown EMR <electronic medical record> implementation.  They asked how we saw ourselves as BIOMETs in helping to get greater value out if the system.  I was put on as the project manager of the device integration efforts.  So, I started looking at Information Technology certifications.  Later, I was approached by another hospital’s Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO), and Network Director of Clinical Engineering.  The device integration role places you as a liaison Device integration places you as a liaison between clinical engineering and information technology. At my level, day to day responsibilities include managing the device interfaces and the patient gateways.  Manage new device integration requests… database administration, those are among the leadership and management duties as well.  Through these functions, the integrator helps with process improvement, help to streamline workflows, and makes sure the proper information is in the patient’s chart at the bedside. “

“And this should be driven internally?”

“Yes, through collaboration and great communication.  You have to build a great team in an environment that supports freedom to share ideas and trust.  You have to be able to vet what a vendor tells you concerning your environment, third party interfaces…. You may not always know the answers but, as a team, you have to know how to find the answers to get great results without dumping out buckets of cash. 

“Any parting words of advice for those seeking a career path like yours?”

He chuckled.  “Well…” his pitch sharpened a bit center-mass baritone.  “It is a challenge. But…”  His voice dropped right back into his natural scale.  “Don’t be intimidated by the challenges coming your way. The days of just finding a specific category of equipment and settling there to retirement are passing if not passed already.  Tenure doesn’t mean what it once did.  Capability and versatility matter now.  Like it or leave it. You must deal with it one way or another.  The best way is continuing education and taking on more challenging projects.”