Describe your day-to-day responsibility and a typical day.
Our team covers thirteen healthcare facilities in the Eastern Michigan region. We currently have four members on our team, a Tech II, a Tech I, and two fire systems inspectors. We are responsible for every component within the healthcare fire systems. We go through and test each individual device within the sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Our sprinkler systems consist of fire pumps and sprinkler flow devices and each day consists of testing those devices to ensure they’re working properly.
How did you arrive in your current role?
Twenty years ago I started out as a maintenance technician in a hospital. From there I was promoted to Maintenance Tech I, then I was a facilities coordinator for a while. Fire systems has always been a passion of mine and I began watching for openings in that area. When the fire systems position opened up here, I moved to Novi, Michigan to take the position. During my time as a maintenance technician I had some exposure to fire systems, working with the fire inspectors who came to our site and dealing with fire panels.
What training and development opportunities has Medxcel provided to you as you entered the fire systems field?
I am currently working on my NICET Level I certification and my test is in January. I have also started my water-based training. Medxcel has a wonderful training system, and my manager provides me with everything I need to succeed, supplies, books, training, everything is approved immediately. I work with my manager on career pathing and what I need to achieve my goals and I hope to be promoted to Fire Systems Tech I.
What is the best part of your job?
My team is the best part of my job. I look forward to coming to work every day and working with my team. We work hard and we get the job done but we also have fun and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a great team to work with and my manager is outstanding. He offers me so much support and I appreciate that very much.
How does your job impact patient care?
I feel that fire safety is one of the most, if not the most important safety aspect of a healthcare facility. It’s our job to keep everybody safe and ensure that all the sprinkler and fire alarm components are working. If there’s ever a fire, we need to feel confident that we’ve tested everything and that it will work perfectly when and if it’s needed.
What is the most unusual or interesting thing that’s happened to you during your time at Medxcel?
As you can imagine, the pandemic is the most unusual time I’ve encountered in my twenty years working in healthcare. It’s been a real challenge. We’re on the front lines and couldn’t go remote. COVID requires additional work from us, we’re working to get patient rooms COVID-ready, adjusting systems for negative air pressurization too. Those changes really affect our systems which is something most people don’t realize. It’s been an interesting turn of events, impacting everything we do. We just try to be safe and do our best each day.
What would you say to someone considering working for Medxcel?
I absolutely recommend Medxcel as a place to work and I’ve already referred two associates who came on board. Medxcel treats you so well. There are so many benefits and opportunities available, and they really want you to excel. If you want to move up in your career, they are right there alongside you to help you every step of the way. That’s what I love about Medxcel. I’ve worked for other organizations, and I’ve never experienced that. Most places want you to just stay stagnant and do you job and not progress. Medxcel offers so much, the opportunities are endless!