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Biomedical Airmen keep Team Shaw healthy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Shaw biomedical Airmen help to keep the 20th Medical Group running by ensuring the integrity of medical equipment here.

Senior Airmen Lindsey Fuentes, 20th Medical Support Squadron biomedical technician, plays a key role in sustaining Air Combat Command priorities, in "striving to sustain key services and programs that support Airmen and families."

The biomedical lab in the 20th MDG is responsible for maintaining $7 million worth of medical equipment including the Shaw AFB Public Access Defibrillator Program and the equipment at the vet clinic. Biomedical Airmen are also responsible for maintaining equipment in Charlotte, N.C., and at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C.

The biomedical equipment repair technicians inspect, repair, calibrate and perform preventive maintenance of medical equipment.

"We assist in patient care by ensuring all medical equipment is operating properly to care for active-duty, retired military members and dependents," said Fuentes.

When she arrives at work, Fuentes, along with other Airmen and noncommissioned officers, is responsible for work order jobs which track the maintenance cycle, service cycle and service history of each piece of equipment that is used for patient care in the medical treatment facility. She also assists in facility management projects and the safety program for the medical group.

"Our career saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in service contracts and millions of dollars across the Air Force," said Fuentes. "We also provide service and support for deployed military treatment facilities, something that most contractors don't do."

Not only does the biomedical equipment team save money, but they also keep military members, retirees and dependents healthy.

"If our medical equipment is broken or inaccurate it could result in the misdiagnosis of a patient which could lead to lost flying hours or any number of other negative outcomes," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremiah Bartlett, 20th MDSS biomedical equipment noncommissioned officer in charge.

Not only is the responsibility of the equipment readiness rewarding to Fuentes, but she also enjoys solving puzzles when she comes to work, she said.

"I like troubleshooting technical problems, and being able to diagnose and correct an issue with equipment can be pretty rewarding."

The job is not only constructively challenging, but has broadened her horizons in regards to her skill sets, according to Fuentes.

"I really didn't expect to learn such a broad skill set," she said. "Our job really encompasses a wide variety of skills like electronics theory, soldering, plumbing repair and advanced mechanics and electronics."

These skills allow biomedical Airmen here to consistently uphold mission readiness at military treatment facilities.

Fuentes, along with the rest of the biomedical Airmen, will continue to ensure the integrity of medical equipment here and keep Team Shaw healthy.