A bit about my job...

[AustinBoston]

...but more about my users.

I support an application used by the call center for a company that manufactures implantable cardiac devices (pacemakers, ICD's, implantable defibulators, etc.). These people are amazing.

They start out with six months of continuous classroom training. They visit every factory and every installation the company has - more than 30 worldwide. They are introduced to the engineers and technicians. They are taught about hearts, products, competitors products, compatibility, complications, and more. After six months, they get to listen in on their first live call. They don't get to talk to the caller, just listen.

After months of monitoring and often discussing the call afterwards, they are allowed to begin to answer calls themselves. But not on their own. Now someone is listening to them. For months.

One year after they started training, they are allowed to take calls on their own. They begin a job that has no future beyond taking the calls of patients, doctors, hospital staff, family members. And they stay for many, many years.

Every time I am in the area, I hear calls that could be life-and-death issues. I have heard them talk to doctors who had a patient's chest cut open and discovered a problem. The doctor called them for guidance. I have been there when patients have called to see if it was OK to use some electrical device and would it affect their pacemaker. I have been there when they had to explain - for the third time - why the patient's device had to be checked one hour after the CT scan instead of right after the scan.

I go over there and know I am entering an important place and helping people with an important job.

They trust each other.  One of the techs I assisted today had hung in her cube a series of skiing awards she had won.  Some of them were solid gold.  Another had a piece of artwork that she had paid $2,700 dollars for.  Antique lamps, imported vases, all kinds of things of value.  Nobody touches it.

They are the friendliest people you could meet. I'm there to support them, to fix a software problem, and they want to know what they can do to help me. Can I get you a pop?  Coffee?  Slice of birthday cake?  In a way, they depend on me. If the software I am responsible for doesn't work, they can't do their job.

And that is both an awesome priviledge and responsibility.

Austin (just blowing smoke again..but these people are really cool)

[Calstate361]

GOOD FOR YOU AND THEM ALSO.  It is so nice to hear something good for a change instead of all the hate and crime.  People are also so apathetic now days, it's nice to hear about people that really care.  THANKS for sharing.

 
Joan