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W O R K F O R M E / S P R I N G 2 0 2 5 44 L ooking for a job in technology can t a k e y o u i n t o a range of industries in Maine. Here's an overview of some three entirely different types of tech opportunities. A surgical robot in need of a handler MaineGeneral recently an- nounced the upgrade of its robot-assisted da Vinci surgical system at the Thayer Center for Health in Waterville. The goal is to provide all resi- dents in the Kennebec Valley with minimally invasive surgical options close to home, according to a news release. In 2009, MaineGeneral ac- quired its first da Vinci system. In 2019, it installed a robot at Thayer Center for Health in Waterville for outpatient surgeries and up- graded its robot in Augusta. Da Vinci is a robot system made by the Silicon Valley company In- tuitive Surgical Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRG), in Sunnyvale, Calif. The system consists of a control console that can view the surgical field through a miniaturized, highly magni- fied 3D camera while controlling movement of specialized surgical instruments such as tiny "wrist- ed" scissors, scalpels and forceps. The system translates the sur- geon's hand movements, at the console, to the instruments per- forming the procedure. R o b o t - a s s i s t e d s u r g i c a l systems are used to perform a range of elective and emergent general surgery procedures, surgical oncology procedures as well as specialty surgical pro- cedures including bariatrics, thoracic, urologic, vascular and women's health. MaineGeneral was able to up- grade to the latest robot thanks to congressionally directed spending funds awarded in 2023 and sup- ported by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine. "The precision and enhanced visualization offered with the upgrade allows us to perform surgeries with greater accuracy, resulting in less pain and faster recovery for our patients, which ultimately is the goal," said Kar- en Bossie with MaineGeneral Obstetrics and Gynecology. Roxanne Perrault, the admin- istrative director of surgical ser- vices, said the new model brings efficiencies and standardization that's helpful for staff. "It is ergonomically better, making longer surgeries less tiring," said Gabriel Belanger of MaineGeneral Urology. "The new robot will benefit day surgery patients here at Thayer, as well as patients at the Alfond Center for Health by opening up more access to surgery." T e c h n o l o g y Jobs with GROWTH POTENTIAL A roundup of tech jobs B Y L A U R I E S C H R E I B E R A N D R E N E E C O R D E S P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F M A I N E G E N E R A L H E A L T H From left, nurses Alyssa Rainey, Tammy Sylvain and Kristy Knight prep a da Vinci robot for surgery.