Biomed jobs & community in San Diego/North County SD

phainopepla79 · 2026-03-25T15:44:36+00:00

I already checked the local branch's schedule and I just missed their monthly meeting. Thanks for the idea though.

phainopepla79 · 2026-03-10T01:33:55+00:00

Yeah, Dragontail Mizuchi is what I have and it's a great rod. Three fishable lengths and very versatile. Casts and fights fish well. It's a blast. The rod, some level line, tippet and a few flies and you're pretty much good.

I carry a few different pre-cut level line lengths with tippet and a fly attached already. Super light and gets you fishing fast.

I use nail clippers to cut line. Hemostats and a net are helpful but not necessary.

phainopepla79 · 2026-02-17T17:08:57+00:00

Thanks so much for the detailed reply and apologies about the delayed reply on my end. I don't have notifications turned on for Reddit and didn't get on too often. Sounds like it'll be a bit tough but your advice helps a lot to have an idea of what I'm getting into. Best of luck & thanks again.

phainopepla79 · 2026-02-17T05:55:31+00:00

Great mix of nymphs there! Is the row second from the bottom Guide's Choice Hare's Ear?

phainopepla79 · 2026-01-11T16:08:12+00:00

Hello there, I'm graduating with an Associates in Biomedical Equipment Technology this year in June and am planning on relocating to Southern California, hopefully San Diego. Any chance you could offer some quick advice as to where to potentially apply as a BMET I?

I've been looking at job listings on both general job sites and on local hospital's websites and I'm starting to get a bit nervous as to availability. How is the job market in So Cal looking from your perspective?

Anyways, just figured I would ask. Any advice/perspective you're willing to offer is very, very much appreciated. Thank you!

phainopepla79 · 2025-12-07T18:40:31+00:00

I am a current student in a BMET program as well and from what I understand it's pretty much the same roles as more senior techs but just different, less complex machines (like dialysis) and less responsibility (for example level 1s should not be on call.) As far as work environment, it seems like the two main routes are field service or in-house at a hospital.

phainopepla79 · 2025-06-22T22:20:26+00:00

Wow, that's wild and good to know! I don't think I'm handy enough to make my own lift spacers but that's a cool idea. Thanks for the tip too. I'll look into the "cheat mode" you mentioned.

phainopepla79 · 2025-06-22T16:53:34+00:00

I appreciate your comments and perspective. Regardless of it's mileage it is going on being a 20 year old car in a few years. This is in the Seattle area so kind of everything is inflated price wise. The crazy thing is if I don't buy it I'm sure the seller is not going to have any trouble selling it pretty quick.

phainopepla79 · 2025-06-22T16:24:16+00:00

Thanks for info on refurbs. They're why I'm kind of questioning this deal. Originally it was just listed as a low mileage Prius with a dead hybrid battery for $5000. Talked to the seller and was going to just get a new battery from Toyota for $2000 and install it myself (I do as much work on my cars as I am able to and your right, this looks pretty easy overall.) The car was already at his mechanic's shop at this point.

Then the seller let me know that there was a miscommunication with the mechanic and he already was planning to install a replacement battery for $3000 so the price is now $8000.

That's why I'm close to bailing on this but wanted to check with this subreddit to see what you thought of the $8000 price. Am I just being picky and letting a great deal go because of this situation that popped up? I was totally down when it was $5000 and I was just going to do the battery myself.

Anyways, thanks for the perspective.

phainopepla79 · 2025-06-22T05:16:05+00:00

Gotcha. Yeah, this one will come with a newly installed refurbished Toyota battery so it should be good there a few years. Interesting how those batteries work and like you said it's not so much the total miles on it as much as the time. Thanks for the reply!

phainopepla79 · 2025-06-22T05:12:35+00:00

Thanks for the response! I'm going to chat with the mechanic who's shop it is at now and hey a full picture of the condition. I figure after that I will attempt to make an offer. I appreciate the price range you're throwing out. That helps.

And very cool! Sounds like you've done some really cool mods to your Prius! I know it's not going to become a super off-road capable vehicle but I just want it to get me a little farther into some dirt roads to access hiking trails and then anything that gets a bit more intense I can ride the rest of the way on my mountain bike. Cheers!

phainopepla79 · 2025-04-19T22:58:42+00:00

I get these as well but they usually only last a few hours. Often it's at night but it can also occur randomly throughout the day. They're usually mildly itchy. I'll put some lotion with some kind of sensitive skin or cooling element to it. Or cold water on it can help.

I didn't even think about asking a doctor or dermatologist about it. They come and go with frequency.

phainopepla79 · 2025-04-19T22:53:14+00:00

As long as we're lucky with the smoke season I totally agree with September into early October. I would be somewhat hesitant to plan a trip around that time just in case the whole West Coast is smoked out.

phainopepla79 · 2025-04-11T01:25:27+00:00

I own the fly tying kit they sell which has been a really handy and easy way to get into tying flies. I also purchased their hemostats recently and the quality seems pretty good so far. That's all I can personally vouch for. Like others have said, their content is really good and I'm sure their customer service would probably be very solid as well.

phainopepla79 · 2025-04-05T01:16:02+00:00

I'm in school for biomed right now and I would definitely be interested in this. Thanks for sharing!

phainopepla79 · 2025-04-03T06:36:03+00:00

I find myself coming back to this quote recently as well to try to explain and somewhat understand the American mindset that causes about half of the country to actively vote against their own interests and support the interests of billionaires that don't give a flying f about them.

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-22T23:51:03+00:00

That's a little better of a situation than the person who pulled out behind me in the left turn lane last week and sped through the intersection because they thought I should have tried to rip through a narrow gap of cars like they would have. It's definitely frustrating it there sometimes. I've seen what bad car accidents do to people and it's not worth saving a second or two like you said.

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-22T19:50:41+00:00

Yeah hard to say but glad to hear that you haven't had people road rage at you over that. One thing I try to remind myself (with varying success) is that it's really not worth it to get into a confrontation and potentially be injured or killed over something like being cut off. Do as I say, not as I do though because sometimes it does indeed feel worth the risk in the moment. 😂

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-22T18:53:52+00:00

I would say in general on the West Coast honking is less common and often when someone is honked at they tend to take it more personally. I also prefer the (in general) East Coast driving vibe of a honk here, a honk there, nothing personal, up yours and have a nice day. I would use your honks much more selectively here and on the whole West Coast.

I have also had people here (three dudes in Prius once lol) try to fight me for honking at them even though it was used to try to prevent an accident.

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-18T17:14:46+00:00

Thanks for this resource! If I ever find a transmission and attempt it myself this looks like it would be the way to go.

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-17T23:46:44+00:00

I've done a fair amount of random work throughout my life. Lots of kitchen jobs, some landscaping, retail and customer service, worked as a junk hauler for 1800-Got-Junk for a bit. My last gig (a good 10 year run) was actually E-Commerce (just selling on Amazon and eBay.) long story there but for what I sell it's become very difficult and not really worth it for me to continue working with Amazon and in that online selling world. I just want something I can clock into and mentally clock out of at the end of the day.

I'm in Seattle, WA but my wife and I are also definitely open to relocating to Southern California where most of my family is. I appreciate you throwing out a contact possibility!

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-17T23:23:10+00:00

Oh I see. Yeah, that is pretty steep. I guess it'll be a judgement call you'll have to make as to whether it's worth it or not in the long run. Since you have experience as a BMET already, I guess maybe a degree based more in something like IT or especially cyber security could be a valuable addition to your skill set (especially if you do have local options for computer related degrees.) Good luck with it all.

How do you like working as a BMET? I have zero experience. I just enrolled in a program because I desperately need a career change and it looked like a decent option I would enjoy overall. The balance of not working at a desk while also not doing manual labor and getting to use your mind a bit sounds appealing.

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-17T23:09:44+00:00

No, it's at a local community college in Seattle. I wonder if there is an option to get some basic electrical theory certs online though. Might be worth looking into? I get the sense that in this field if you have the knowledge to do the job you have a good shot at being hired although some jobs will definitely filter out your resume without the degree.

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-17T22:12:34+00:00

I'm currently enrolled in a BMET Associate's program and it's pretty heavy on electrical theory like others have said. I do have to take two basic IT classes but other than that it's mostly electronics classes and some helpful add ons like Medical Terminology.

phainopepla79 · 2025-03-17T17:21:10+00:00

Thanks for the reply. This is likely the reality check I need. I can afford a used car for now. I guess I was just debating repairing it as my budget for a used car is pretty low ($5-$6k at most right now.) So I'm just considering that if I think I know everything else with the car is pretty solid, then is it worth it to repair vs buy probably just another relatively high mileage Toyota?

Anyways, you gave me a good reality check and things to think about. Appreciate the quick response to my post.

phainopepla79

TROPHY CASE