I'm proud of
my job

The field service technician makes day-to-day work easier for medical professionals across Bavaria by installing, maintaining and repairing surgical microscopes designed for neurosurgery, eye surgery and other disciplines. He advises users in hospitals, doctor's offices and research institutes and makes sure everything runs smoothly. "The doctors should be able to focus on their core work and not have to contend with technology," Patrick reassures us.

This is a major responsibility for him: "It's not like I'm repairing a chewing gummachine. Once my work is done, I essentially ask myself: if I were in their shoes, would I lie under this equipment? Or would I want my wife or son to," the family man says when describing his quality standards. He adds, "Before I leave the medical center, I retighten all screws to be sure that I'm handing back a fully functional microscope."

Patrick has found his passion. But there is no traditional apprenticeship for field service technicians. He describes himself as a 'lateral recruit'. So how did he get into it? After finishing secondary school, he trained to be a mechanic. A friend then introduced him to the field service technician profession. He realized he enjoyed it and he started servicing dishwashers – including ones in hospitals. This got Patrick interested in medical technology so he qualified as a state-certified medical technician.