09/24/2021

A message from Fresenius Medical Care - Paying it Forward in Your Center: A Q&A with NCT Ryan White

Ryan White began her career with Fresenius Kidney Care almost 17 years ago as a temporary chart auditor. After lots of training, hard work, and dedication, Ryan now works as a PCT III Preceptor and serves in many leadership positions, including the West Division PCT Advisory Council and the Positive Ambassador Listener (PAL) Program. Ryan is always looking for new ways to share the knowledge she has obtained over the years, and especially enjoys training new hires and ensuring they have an excellent experience. Ryan is committed to living out the Fresenius Kidney Care values, providing the highest standard of patient care, and is looking forward to many more years with the company.

A strong company culture and work environment make all the difference for Nephrology Clinical Technicians (NCTs) and Nephrology Biomedical Technologists (NBTs) trying to advance their careers and find support in their journeys as dialysis care providers. Ryan White, an NCT at Fresenius Kidney Care, shares with us her career path and how the team at her center encouraged her to reach her goals and climb the career ladder.

What factors have made the biggest impact on the success of your career?

Ryan White: I was first hired by Fresenius Kidney Care 16 years ago as a temporary employee to do chart audits, then I entered the NCT Training Program. When I started, I knew I wanted a career, not just a job, at a company that I could grow with. Since then, I have gotten all of that and more.

The overwhelming support that I have received from the people I work with has made a huge difference in my life. I have always wanted to go back to school and become a nurse, but as a mother of three, it felt unattainable to complete all the prerequisites while working. There were so many times I thought I couldn’t do it, but with the support of my second family – my Fresenius Kidney Care family – encouraging me to pursue this goal, I graduated with my Associate Degree in Nursing last December.

My experience showed me the importance of a motivating work environment and inspired me to pay it forward in my own center. By being positive, working hard, asking for feedback, being open to mentoring, and in turn going out of your way to help a coworker, everyone in the center can lead by example.

What are the most important factors that go into creating a motivating work environment?

Ryan White: One of the most valuable assets we have at Fresenius Kidney Care is the NCT Advisory Council, which is a group of representative NCTs from around the country that serve as a bridge of communication between senior leadership and employees. I am honored to have served on the council over the last three years because it gives NCTs a voice and ensures their opinions are valued.

Another important factor is being willing to go the extra mile for your coworkers. We all need a cheerleader at some point, so if you see your coworkers are struggling, ask how they are doing, help them, and cheer them on. Ultimately, remember the TEAM acronym – Together Everyone Achieves More. Like my team encouraged me to pursue my career goals, I always remember to pay it forward, and encourage my teammates to achieve their goals.

How does your center foster this culture of paying it forward?

Ryan White: At my center, we take part in the Positive Ambassador Listener (PAL) Program, which provides new hires with a friendly, ambitious coworker to greet and guide them through their first year on the job. Recently I was asked to be a part of the PAL Program.

PALs are there to be a cheerleader and friend to each new hire. For each new hire’s first day, I hang a big “Welcome to Fresenius Kidney Care” banner with their name on it, signed by each staff member. We decorate the new hire’s locker with balloons and stickers to try to make their first few weeks extra special. I offer myself as the first point of contact if they have any questions. We are all here to help the patients and to save lives every day, so we need our staff to work together, provide encouragement, and support each other to be the best we can be.