09/24/2021

A message from Fresenius Medical Care - Career Progression in Dialysis: Allen Mills’ Story

Allen Mills: My sister introduced me to the dialysis industry. She was a social worker for a Fresenius Kidney Care center in Northern Virginia. Before I finished my final semester in college, I worked, in essence, as a dialysis assistant at that exact center. In that role, I did a wide variety of tasks. I worked on the floor and supported our direct patient care staff who were NCTs, NBTs, and registered nurses. I also supported the ward clerk, followed up on billing claims, worked at a storage site at one point, and answered phones. I did a little bit of everything.

Once I finished college, I came back to Fresenius Kidney Care and took a job in the accounts receivable (AR) department. I was responsible for one facility, 130 patients. I started at Fresenius Kidney Care in an entry level position, and I saw a clear opportunity to move ahead. Looking back, the most important thing I did was demonstrate my ability to take on more responsibility. I worked in the AR position for one year before the opportunity came up to interview for an administrator training program. I took a leap of faith, interviewed, and I got that job. After a year and half in that position, I moved to North Carolina and took a job as an administrator for three Fresenius Kidney Care facilities, and that is really where my professional career started. Since then, I’ve been taking on more and more responsibility. 30 years later, I took on the role of president in 2020. I’m now responsible for about 700 facilities in the North Division of Fresenius Kidney Care.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I have had here, but I also want to emphasize that I took action when I saw opportunities. That is the key.

What advice do you have for NCTs, NBTs, and anyone else looking to advance their careers in the dialysis industry today?

Allen Mills: You have to expand your horizons. Opportunities are out there, and you have to actively look for them to serve outside of your typical job function. Leading a volunteer effort or participating on a company committee are great ways to not only gain recognition within your center and community, but also a fantastic way to network. And when it comes to networking, make sure you are building lasting relationships by actively listening and being genuinely caring. Networking goes beyond career purposes—it’s about building meaningful relationships. Reach out, take initiative, don’t be afraid, introduce yourself. I’ve had people reach out to me to schedule a meeting that I would otherwise have never met, and I am so happy to be able to now guide them personally.

Being proactive is also critical. I would suggest maximizing all the resources available to you at your company - from tuition reimbursement and internal trainings, to getting involved in professional associations like NANT. There are also many individuals I know who decided to get their nursing degree for example. Finally, always be receptive to feedback and maintain a growth mindset. Feedback is a gift, and the person giving you feedback is taking the time to personally invest in your growth. So, take it as a learning opportunity for self-development.

Any final thoughts for our readers?

Allen Mills: Thank you for taking care of our patients, what you do changes lives on a daily basis, I hope you find it tremendously rewarding, I’m very thankful for you all. And finally, think about those opportunities you might have to volunteer or raise your hand, once given those responsibilities, execute to your full advantage.