(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Army veteran Adrian Yanez worked as a truck driver for more than 20 years.
After a career on the open road, he pursued an education at Texas State Technical College, where he graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Security Technology in 2012.
“I helped people repair and troubleshoot people’s computers as a side job,” he said.
Little did he know that a career suggestion from his son would lead him back to TSTC, this time in the Biomedical Equipment Technology program — the same program from which his son had graduated.
“My son said that my computer skills are similar to the job of a biomedical technician,” Yanez said. “So I enrolled.”
Yanez is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in the program and is on track to graduate in August.
Recently he completed an internship at US Med-Equip (USME), where he has been hired to be a full-time biomedical equipment technician. Yanez started his new job one week ago.
Paul Fries, director of biomedical services for USME, said the company is pleased to have Yanez as part of its growing biomedical team.
“Adrian completed his internship at a record pace,” Fries said. “He will be working on infusion equipment at our National Support Center in Houston, where we have our largest biomedical depot, helping service hospital equipment from across the country.”
Yanez credits his new role to the training that he received at TSTC.
“With every hands-on assignment I did, I learned something new and enhanced my skill set,” he said.
Ray Longoria, TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program director in Harlingen, said Yanez sets high standards in his work.
“Adrian sets the bar high when he is in the process of completing a task,” he said. “He is an excellent leader and takes charge when difficult situations arise.”
Yanez is one of several TSTC graduates that USME has hired. The company continues to recruit on campus.
“Our biomedical services department is growing tremendously as we build the best biomedical services operation in the nation, including our depot in the Rio Grande Valley,” USME CEO Greg Salario said during a recent visit with TSTC students.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology at its Harlingen and Waco campuses, as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Imaging Systems Technology Specialization at the Waco campus.
According to onetonline.org, the average annual salary for medical equipment repairers is $49,880 in Texas, where the number of jobs in that field was forecast to increase 18% between 2020 and 2030.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
