Hi I work for physician owned dialysis units. A 36 station, a 12 station and two acute hospital based units. We have joined into a joint venture with DaVita, which is all but signed and sealed. Can any one give me and my fellow co-workers and idea on what to expect from the maintenance side of it. This is what we have now 2.5 Maintenance techs We take care of everything ,60+ machines Reuse 6 Renatrons, Water Tx, building maintenance, and anything and everything else. On call paid (120 per week) Travel expenses at 51 cents an hour From what I understand we get paid above average pay
(we are not bio-med) We pretty much set our own hours Do you have a uniform ? How are parts ordered? Do you keep a large supply of parts on hand?
Is this comparable to what other DaVita units are seeing? Thanks for ANY advice
<Lonewolf>
Posted
Hey dialysisgirl, I would check into the mileage rate they are giving you. The current IRS rate is $0.55 and I think most companies have to go by that. Check their policies on travel pay.
<Techmex>
Posted
Depending on your area, DaVita technical are all about no over-time, alternating after-hours technical coverge (two techs and a supervisor cover a large area), keep documentation as to time calls came in, name of callers, Complaints of and any further support issues. If you walked out of an after hours call at 7am (week day), you then go to your regular duty station. As for parts, you have to get supervisory clearance to order, and a minimum parts availabilty is the norm. Also, you have to keep a weekly work schedule not to exceed 40 hours. I could go on, however your area may differ. Good luck
<guest2>
Posted
Hello Dialysisgirl,
I have worked for Davita in the past. I think you will actually enjoy the company overall. They are very organized! But, be prepared to work! I alone had 4 clinics (all 20 miles apart with 1 clinic 50 miles from those), 74 Machines, 4 RO's, 10 Renatrons, 4 Renaclears, Cultures, Disinfects, & Building Maintenance.
On call pay was $40 for the week. When we took call it was for the entire state and part of the next state over, all acute contracts, & all home patients.
Travel expenses was the fedral standard.
I too sent my own hours but, I heard they recently changed to having you provide your facility administrators a work schedule.
They do provide uniforms.
You do all part orders online through their system.
I carried some parts with me but kept most of them at each facility because the parts are orderded under each facilities account and are expensed for that facility.
Hope this helps!
<Steve>
Posted
You will continue with building maintanance.You will have about 50 machines per tech so you are a little over on techs. You will also continue with water cultures,disinfections and culture follow ups per month.About 30 samples a month.Also PMs to be performed on or before last PM date.Monthly medical management meetings you will have to attend.Annual biomed skills exams.Lots of LMS computer courses you will have to complete.Just some things to start with.Hope this helps.Welcome to Davita.
It varies a lot by where you are located and who you work for/with. Yes, you will be busy. But, I think you will be pleased once you get through the mind-boggling transition period. I was also acquired a while back, and was very nervous at the time, but things have worked out fine. Not all areas are as tough as some of the other posts mention. P.S. You'll be with a good group :-)
Originally posted by Lonewolf: Hey dialysisgirl, I would check into the mileage rate they are giving you. The current IRS rate is $0.55 and I think most companies have to go by that. Check their policies on travel pay.
You are incorrect on the mileage statement. IRS rate is the recommendation but reimbursement is set by the company. She would be eliglble to claim the difference between IRS and reimbursement rate on itemized tax return. Been there, done that.
<Guest>
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by dialysisgirl: Hi I work for physician owned dialysis units. A 36 station, a 12 station and two acute hospital based units. We have joined into a joint venture with DaVita, which is all but signed and sealed. Can any one give me and my fellow co-workers and idea on what to expect from the maintenance side of it. This is what we have now 2.5 Maintenance techs We take care of everything ,60+ machines Reuse 6 Renatrons, Water Tx, building maintenance, and anything and everything else. On call paid (120 per week) Travel expenses at 51 cents an hour From what I understand we get paid above average pay
(we are not bio-med) We pretty much set our own hours Do you have a uniform ? How are parts ordered? Do you keep a large supply of parts on hand?
Is this comparable to what other DaVita units are seeing? Thanks for ANY advice
Joint venture raises questions- do you become Davita employees or is the Joint venture a management agreement in which the MD maintains ownership and Davita manages?
<Guest>
Posted
The mileage if you travel will be high mileage program, which will be 20 to 30 cents a mile about. This is for those that travel alot, biomed, FA, diatican, social worker, etc. You have to pay $25 month for using company phone for personal calls. When traveling for training and such you will have to have roommate they dont get you single room, always roommate. Budgeted hours are per patient not machine, so hours will vary usally on the bad side. Very tight on budget even if needed very badly.
<dialysisgirl>
Posted
Thanks for all the advice. I will say I am a little concerned on how much you are expected to get done. I don't want to short cut any of my jobs, how do you get it all done without overtime? What happens when you have more equipment down, then you can fix?
<noworries>
Posted
It's amazing how different it can be area to area... Un-justified overtime is where you'll usually get into trouble. Sometimes it's unavoidable. If you have a lot of machines down or many pm's, etc., you can always ask for help from other biomeds in your area.
<Olddog>
Posted
Dialysisgirl: before you get too concerned with the tech/machine ratio etc. find out what the nature of the joint venture is and who is responsible for what. Joint ventures can have the same variety as operational agreements - check the language of the document before you begin to polish your resume.
I work for Davita for past year and most days I hate it! Davita bought the center I was taking care of and they hired me only because they had someone quit at the time. Unlike what I read others said...they do not provide uniforms! and for me too much o/t and too much driving. some days i feel like i travel more than i work. a huge change from what i was use to before they took over. i am pretty sure most all staff at that facility would rather not have been bought by them! but had no choice...hospital wanted to get rid of the clinic. good luck
Our clinic's share a joint situation with a DaVita clinic. In this arrangement we (as Tech's) do not service the DaVita clinics. Our doctors so. It may the case that this venture will not affect your current situation at all.
