MedicAlert of Turlock ships bracelets worldwide, but hires here at home

The Modesto Bee
By William Cracraft
October 2, 2005

MedicAlert of Turlock is an internationally recognized icon in the health care field but still hires 90 percent of its employees from the Modesto area. The company provides four million patients and others with a special bracelet engraved with an identification number and a hotline phone number to MedicAlert. If the wearer is hurt or falls suddenly ill, paramedics and police can call the phone number to get critical treatment information about the stricken person.

Members can manage their own health records while maintaining security and privacy and the medical information is available to emergency personnel or physicians anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. Important information might include allergies, medications and dosages, emergency contacts and as much more as the patient wishes. The company is a nonprofit membership organization so profits are reinvested in the company, and they are doing something pretty right because they are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2006.

The company has always been in Turlock. MedicAlert started in founder Dr. Marion Collins' home, moved to local storefronts, then settled into its 32,000-square-foot headquarters in 1981. In the early days, members' medical records were stored on index cards, in 1970 records were computerized and, now, members can view and update their records online or through Medic Alert's 24-hour service center.

Moving forward as the Information Age progresses, the company has added two innovations to its services recently: the ability to have in-home monitoring for those worried about falling ill and unable to get to a telephone, and a keychain-sized device that plugs right into a computer so patients and health workers can view and add medical information. Growth and technology have brought changes over the years: the company now has 149 employees and almost always has openings posted on its Web site.

Current postings include positions in finance, IT and marketing, but MedicAlert most often needs workers for its operations department, according to Denise Jenkins, human resources manager.

Operations department personnel are the heart of the manufacturing process and their quality work travels worldwide on the wrists of members. Manufacturing associates etch the bracelet blanks with the critical ID number and the MedicAlert logo, attach the chain and inspect the bracelet before shipping it out. These workers start at $10.47 per hour

The great majority of these workers are from the area. Cindy Pacheco, of Turlock, has been an employee at Medic Alert for nearly 30 years. She started as a file clerk in 1977 after a couple semesters of college, became a proof reader inspecting the bracelets, then became an engraver. That was 20 years ago. "I love it, it is a little bit of activity, so you're not sitting in a chair all day," Pacheco says. At her work station, Pacheco cuts the vital information that could save a life into the bracelets and one gets the sense she blesses each one as it passes through her hands.

"I love the mission Medic Alert stands for: when people are in trouble and they are wearing their bracelet … when someone comes along they can get all the information (needed) to help. I feel like every day I am helping people," she says.

Along with those in the production areas, MedicAlert has about 65 Member Services Associates (MSA), who take care of customer service and start new accounts. These associates work in teams to improve customer service and meet other department goals. Pay for MSAs runs from $12.11-$14.66 per hour

Prospective Member Services Associates need a high school diploma or general education degree (GED), some knowledge of medical terms and medications, good grammar and phone etiquette, and the ability to type 40 words per minute.

Like any well-run company, MedicAlert looks for specialists - executives and IT workers - from all over. The company currently has postings for a finance executive and information technology (IT) workers, and is looking for a marketing manager to increase membership of children and young adults.

The marketing manager will design a marketing plan from scratch, develop strategies and analyze market research to build MedicAlert membership in the younger set. Applicants for that position should have a bachelor's degree, strong experience in the healthcare marketing industry, exceptional communication skills and the ability to travel. A full description of the position and requirements is on the MedicAlert Web site (www.medicalert.com).

MedicAlert offers a full benefits package, including medical, vision, dental and life insurance, along with vacation, sick and holiday pay, and a 401(K) program. One additional benefit: free MedicAlert membership, possibly priceless.