TSTC alumnus and instructor celebrates six years of preparing biomedical equipment technicians for workforce

(HARLINGEN, Texas) - Texas State Technical CollegeBiomedical Equipment Technology instructor Oziel Capetillo is gratified that his 25 years of industry experience in the electronics and medical fields have helped lead graduates to career success.

"This is my sixth year teaching in the program," Capetillo said. "It's important that students grasp hands-on training. I've seen what medical equipment can and cannot do. We help patients from behind the scenes."

Capetillo, who earned an associate degree in Laser Technology from Texas State Technical Institute (now TSTC) in 1988, followed by an Associate of Applied Science degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology from TSTC in 2007, never imagined that his talent for troubleshooting and repairing electronic devices would bring him back as an instructor to TSTC.

Capetillo gained experience as an electronic engineer technician with Texas Instruments in Dallas in 1988. He relocated to the Rio Grande Valley for family reasons in 1995, then worked as a biomedical equipment technician with DHR Health in 2005. He first taught Biomedical Equipment Technology at TSTC in 2015. He returned to DHR Health for three years before making his way back to teach at TSTC in 2019.

Among the graduates that Capetillo trained is Edward Garcia, who has worked as a biomedical equipment technician team lead with GE Healthcare at DHR Health for three years.

"Mr. Capetillo was passionate about how he taught," he said. "It reflected the way he did his lessons, the advice he gave us, and that motivated us to show our commitment to the program."

Ray Longoria, team lead for TSTC's Biomedical Equipment Technology and Wind Energy Technology programs at the Harlingen campus, said Capetillo is a good mentor to his students.

"Oziel helps students not only academically, but also coaches them into adulthood," he said. "His connection with medical professionals has placed many of our graduates in jobs."

Capetillo said the Biomedical Equipment Technology program welcomes any individual who wants to learn more.

"People will be amazed by how many hands-on activities we do," he said. "The preventative maintenance our students learn will stay with them forever."

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 $50,600 in Texas, where the number of jobs in that field was forecast to increase 18% between 2020 and 2030.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

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